October offers quite a bit of excitement in its 31 days, including the transition to those perfect, “hoody-weather” temperatures of fall, to being recognized as National Arts and Humanities month.
However, anyone with a sweet tooth and an affinity for costumes knows what this month is really all about — Halloween!
Halloween is that special time of year when we enjoy the sights of children and adults alike roaming the streets dressed as princesses and superheroes, collecting candy all along the way.
Here is your town-by-town guide to many Halloween happenings, to offer you and yours a hauntingly happy Halloween!
CARY
Haunted Trail & Reel-ly Scary Cary Film Series
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
The family-friendly Haunted Trail will be held Oct. 24-26 from 6 to 9 p.m. Film screenings will be at 9 p.m. each night and are as follows:
Oct. 24, Cape Fear (not rated)
Oct. 25, Hotel Transylvania (rated PG)
Oct. 26, Sleepy Hollow (rated R)
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 (ages 12 and under are free) and are available at boothamphitheatre.com
Cary’s Great Pumpkin Carve
Oct. 26, 2 to 8 p.m.
Held on the Performance Green in Downtown Cary. Free except for the cost of a pumpkin – bring one, or buy one from the onsite “pumpkin patch” for $3, to carve and light! Pumpkins will be judged and ribbons awards for categories including Best Youth, Best Adult, Scariest, Funniest and Artistic. After the 6 p.m. pumpkin lighting, watch screenings of your favorite Halloween TV specials on the Performance Green grounds. For a detailed itinerary, search “Howlin’ Good Halloween” at townofcary.org.
Downtown Harvest Festival
Oct. 26, 2 to 6 p.m.
Join in the fun at Ashworth Village for an afternoon of free carnival games, corn hole, bounce houses, food, and entertainment. Costumes welcome! Wristbands are $2 for kids 2 and up, and Y Guides/Princesses and Boy/Girl Scouts receive a free HOCA Downtown Harvest Day patch! Visit heartofcary.org/harvest-day for more information.
Tricks & Treats Halloween Bash
Herbert C. Young Community Center
Oct. 26, 5 to 7 p.m.
Celebrate at this family-friendly carnival sponsored by the Cary Teen Council. Carnival games, not-so-scary stories, and fun for the family! Ages 3 to 8. Tickets are $1 per person and include a hayride.
Haunted Twilight Tour of Downtown Cary
Page-Walker Arts & History Center
Oct. 26, at 6:30, 7, and 7:30 p.m.
Recommended for ages 13 and older. Lend your ears as you listen to tales from yesteryear; these macabre walking tours of historic Downtown Cary are presented by the Cary Players. Tickets are $15; to purchase, visit caryplayers.org.
Phillips Farms Attack of the Deranged Hillbillies
For a fearsome experience not recommended for children under 12, check out Phillip Farms Haunted Farm! Venture through the terrifying Field of Lost Souls, Rebellion Trail and the Gore House. For prices and info, visit phillipsfarmsofcary.com.
APEX
Goblin’s Groove
Oct. 26, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Enjoy a night of music at the Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex, featuring music from the 1980s and ‘90s, along with dance music of today. Get your groove on with dance contests and a parent/child dance. Youth and teens must be accompanied by an adult. Halloween costumes are strongly encouraged but not required. Spooky punch and snacks provided. Tickets are $5/couple and $2 per additional child, available at the door or in advance at etix.com.
Trick or Treat on Salem Street
Saturday, Oct. 26, 4 to 6 p.m.
Show off your best costume on Salem Street in Apex and get some treats from merchants while you’re at it! For more information, visit http://www.apexdowntown.com.
Hayrides at Green Level Gourd Farm
Green Level Gourd Farm offers hayrides that aren’t too scary for the youngsters, but still offer some fright for older Halloween enthusiasts. For pricing and activities information, visit greenlevelgourdfarm.com.
MORRISVILLE
Spooktacular Trail Walk
Come out for thrills and chills as Morrisville Community Park transforms into a spook-tacular trail! The early portion of the evening will feature a family-friendly trail with mild scares. Later in the evening the trail will become spookier, and is suitable for adults and children ages 10 and older. Free!
6 to 8 p.m., Family-Friendly Trail
8 to 10 p.m., Guided Haunted Trail, recommended for children 10 and older
FUQUAY-VARINA
Trick or Treat Downtown
Oct. 25, 2 to 5 p.m.
An annual Halloween event sponsored by the merchants along the Fuquay and Varina retail districts. Parents are invited to dress up the kids, grab a bag and visit merchants displaying the sign, “Trick or Treat Here!”
Day in Downtown Fall Arts & Crafts Festival
Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Downtown Fuquay shopping district hosts this free family-friendly festival, with arts and crafts, food, entertainment, contests, music and lots of fall fun! For more information, visit fuquay-varina.org.
Chili Cook-off
East Vance & South Main Streets
Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Individuals, businesses and nonprofit groups show off their cooking skills and compete to see who has the best tasting chili. All awards are voted on by the public. A $6 ticket purchased at the event will allow you to sample all the chili and vote on your favorite.
Halloween Sundae Social for Preschoolers
Oct. 29, 2 to 3 p.m.
The Fuquay-Varina Community Center offers preschoolers a fun-filled way to celebrate Halloween with a Sundae Social, where they can make their own sundae and meet new friends. Feel free to wear a costume! Call (919) 552-1430 to RSVP.
HOLLY SPRINGS
Holly Springs Community Celebration
Sugg Farm Park
Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Holly Springs partners with churches, civic organizations and businesses for this community celebration. Admission is free and the event is on rain or shine. Enjoy entertainment, arts & crafts, the Kids Corner, inflatables and rides, Cornhole Cup '13, pumpkin carving contest, and fire truck and police cars on display. More info at hollyspringsnc.us
GARNER
Trick-or-Treat the Trails
Oct. 31, 3 to 6 p.m.
Gather treats at White Deer Park this Halloween! Put on your costume and trick-or-treat your way around the park trails to collect treats from community organizations and businesses at this free event. An adult must accompany children at all times, and pets are not permitted. For more information, see garnernc.gov.
CORN MAZES
Put your navigating skills to the test with a corn maze! Here’s a sampling; check out the websites for pricing and other info.
Green Acres Farm Corn Maze, Cary greenacrescary.com
Ken’s Korny Corn Maze, Garner kenskornycornmaze.com
Mrs. Ruth’s Farm Corn Maze, Apex mrsruthsfarms.com
