by Madison V. Fisler
Oct. 30, 2014. Halloween is almost upon us, do you have your night’s festivities planned out? This year, the High Country has many different activities and festivities to offer for the entire family to enjoy, from festivals, to trunk-or-treats and much, much more. Check out what is happening for Halloween this week and make it a spook-tacular night to remember.
For your convenience, events that are passed are shown in greyscale.
Halloween Night
Trick-or-Treating at the Boone Mall: Head out to the Boone Mall from 5-7 p.m. on Halloween night for some indoor trick-or-treating! Dress up in your spookiest costume and go from store to store for safe, family friendly fun including trick-or-treating, a pumpkin house and Halloween photos!
Downtown Boone Boo: Calling all pirates, princesses and children of all ages. The Town of Boone, the Downtown Boone Development Association, the Watauga County Library and the Jones House Community Center are delighted to host the fouteenth annual Downtown Boone BOO!, a Halloween family-friendly event on Friday, Oct. 31, from 4-6 p.m. The fun begins at 4 p.m. at the Watauga County Library where families can participate in arts and crafts and enjoy live, local music. At 4:30 p.m., the children will walk for “parade” from the library to the Jones House and Community Center which will be decorated for children of all ages to explore and enjoy. At 4:45 p.m., children can start Trick-or-Treating with the downtown merchants until 6 p.m. We hope you can join us for an afternoon of Halloween fun in Downtown Boone. For more information please call 828-268-6280.
Newland Trick-or-Treat: The Town of Newland and the Newland Business Association invite the public to join in the fun at the annual Halloween Downtown Trick or Treat Celebration on Friday, Oct. 31, from 4:30-7 p.m. with costume contest and prizes at 6 p.m. It will be held throughout downtown Newland and the Guy-Braswell Annex below the library. This event is co-sponsored by the Town of Newland and the Newland Business Association in cooperation with many local businesses and community organizations. Local merchants will be handing out special treats for trick-or-treaters and everyone is invited to dress up in their most creative Halloween costume. The Halloween Costume Contest judging and prize awards will be held at the Guy-Braswell Annex. For more information call 843-457-2736.
Banner Elk Trunk-or-Treat: A Trunk-or-Treat Halloween event will be held at the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School from 5-8 p.m. Activities will include trunk-or-treat, face painting and tattoos, hayrides, a haunted house, a pet costume contest and more. For more information contact the Avery County Chamber of Commerce at 828-898-5605 or the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce at 828-898-8395.
Banner Elk Trunk or Treat: Banner Elk will host a trunk or treat at the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School on Friday, Oct. 31 from 5-8 p.m. This celebration will also include face painting from 3-7:30 p.m. and is completely free and open to the public. The celebration includes a pet costume contest, children’s costume contest, face painting and more. All of the fun starts at 3 p.m. and it doesn’t stop until 8!
Hayes School of Music Halloween Monster Concert: The Hayes School of Music organ studio at Appalachian State University will present its seventh annual Halloween Monster Concert Friday, Oct. 31, at 8 p.m. in the Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free and the public is invited. Costumes are encouraged. Featured during the evening will be Bach’s famous “Toccata and Fague in d minor” with special audience participation, the singing of “pumpkin carols,” a silent movie with organ accompaniment, free candy, costume contests and more.
Pre-Halloween Festivities
Trick-or-Treat for Tots: Appalachian State University will host Trick-or-Treat for Tots in the east campus residence halls. Children will be able to go door to door at designated residence halls on Thursday, Oct. 30 from 5-7 p.m. to trick-or-treat in a safe environment. The event is open to Appalachian faculty and staff as well as families in the community. Parking for the event is available after 5 p.m. in all campus parking lots. To check in, meet at the traffic circle outside of Summit Hall. Please bring a canned good to donate to a local charity. For more information about this event, contact Appalachian’s University Housing at 828-262-2160.
Hillbilly Horror: Get ready to experience the scariest attraction Boone has to offer during October at Honey Bear Campground. Hillbilly Horror is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows you to choose to be a participant or become a zombie hell-bent on scaring anyone in sight. Activities range from Hay Rides, Zombie Paintball, and even Outdoor Movies so people of all ages can have a blast. If you think you can handle the fright of Hillbilly Horror, make your way down every weekend this month for more blood and guts than you ever thought possible! This horror event stands out among the rest for anyone looking to make the most out of Halloween this year. The crowd favorite already seems to be Zombie Paintball, where you are given a specialized zombie gun that allows you to fend off any undead attackers you may come across. Be sure to make it back to the campground or else you could become the next zombies dinner! Visit every weekend in October for some good, Halloween fun!
Haunted Horn: Walk the haunted trail for thrills and chills that will keep you coming back for more. This haunted walk through the Camp Broadstone is sure to be fun for all. This year’s trail will run from 7:30-11 p.m. on Oct. 27-31. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students with valid student ID.
Downtown Boone Story Walk: The Story Walk officially began Oct. 1 and will run through Nov. 3. Read a book page by page in the windows of local merchants in Downtown Boone. What a great way for friends and family to join in on a beautiful walk through town while enjoying a story great for all ages. This year’s book is “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything,” Linda D. Williams and illustrated by Megan Lloyd.
Ghost Train Festival at Tweetsie Railroad: It’s safe, scary fun for the whole family! Visit the Haunted House and the Freaky Forest. Step in to another world in the 3-D Maze and the Black Hole. Kids will enjoy the Halloween shows and trick-or-treating. And take a chilling journey on the Ghost Train – if you dare! The annual Ghost Train Festival will be held until Nov. 1. on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Valle Crucis Trunk-or-Treat: The Valle Crucis United Methodist Church will hold a Trunk-or-Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 5-7 p.m. Lots of treats, activities and free hot dogs will be available for the entire family. The event will be located across from the Valle Crucis Elementary School and Mast Store Annex.
Beech Mountain Town Trick-or-Treat: On Saturday, Oct. 25 , the town of Beech Mountain will host a town Trick-or-Treat event starting at 5 p.m. Participants will board a bus and travel to many destinations before heading to the Buckeye Halloween Party from 6-8 p.m. The shuttle will take off from Beech Mountain Town Hall at 5 p.m. sharp. Buckeye Recreation Center will host the children for a party with games and food immediately following. This event is intended for children ages 10 and under and is free to attend.
This list is still being updated as the spooky holiday draws closer. If you know of any festivities that we missed, let us know at madison@highcountrypress.com!