Somehow it's already the last weekend in October, and we've got a list of things (spooky and not so spooky) happening around the state!
Western North Carolina is still recovering from Helene, and many state parks remain closed through Oct. 31. Grandfather Mountain announced Wednesday that it was reopening for the first time after being closed since Sept. 26. It's a welcome sign for the community.
Parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway also reopened to traffic.
Beary Scary Halloween at Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain will stay open seven days a week, weather permitting, and this includes the "Beary Scary Halloween" event. It's happening Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Kids dressed in a costume will get in half price!
There will be trick-or-treating, games, crafts, "creepy" animals, a costume contest, animal encounters and a parade.
"The discount will be given at the entrance gate. Those planning to visit the park not in costume are strongly encouraged to make advance ticket reservations online at grandfather.com/tickets," park organizers posted.
Click here for the Beary Scary schedule.
Normal daily entry to Grandfather Mountain will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with trails closing at 5 p.m. and the park closing at 6 p.m.
Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, Mildred the Bear environmental habitats, Top Shop and Mile High Swinging Bridge, access to the Woods Walk, Bridge Trail, Black Rock Trail and Grandfather Loop will all be open.
Related article: Grandfather Mountain reopens for first time since Helene
“We look forward to welcoming guests back to Grandfather Mountain,” said Jesse Pope, president and executive director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “Our reopening will enable us to keep our entire staff employed this season and will benefit Avery County by way of tax dollars paid on admission tickets to the park. Our staff have worked tirelessly since the storm to help out the community, and I couldn’t be more proud of, and thankful for, them."
Be on the lookout for Dracula in Transylvania County this Saturday.
Halloweenfest is happening in Brevard as western North Carolina continues to rebuild. The festival will raise money for the Transvylvania Tomorrow Small Business Emergency Relief Fund.
Here’s what event organizers said to expect on Saturday Oct. 26:
- Halloweenfest daytime activities will run from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Heart of Brevard businesses and shops will open and offer Halloweenfest specials
- Inflatables, hula hoop jam, witchy flash mob, downtown trick-or-treating, and other free, family-friendly activities will continue as originally scheduled
- Costume contests! If you would like to participate, please register using these links:
- Halloweenfest daytime activities (ending at 5 p.m.) will be followed by a nighttime community benefit concert beginning at 5 p.m., where all proceeds will be donated to Transylvania Tomorrow
The benefits concert will feature The Steep Canyon Rangers and The Travis Book Band. Beer, wine and food will be available for purchase. The event is happening on the main stage on East Main Street in Downtown Brevard.
Halloween haunting horse drawn tours in Wilmington
For a different level of spook, you can take a horse-drawn carriage ride through historic Downtown Wilmington while listening to ghost stories. It's fun for the littles too, as the ghost stories are tailored for young children.
"The horses and drivers will both be in costume, with the driver telling spooky ghost stories without the gore and violence of today's Halloween to let your little ones enjoy Halloween the way it used to be," according to the website.
There will be free treats for all riders.
The rides go from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and no reservation is required. Ride costs are $16 for adults and $8 for children under age 12.
Matthews Playhouse Haunted Trail
Haunted houses and trails are popping up, but one in Matthews, N.C. has a trail just for kids. It's just the right amount of scary. The haunted trail is put on by Matthews Playhouse, a nonprofit theatre.
The "not-so-spooky" haunted trail is happening from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Oct. 27. It's recommended for ages 6 and older. For older kids and adults, a "full-fright" haunted trail will follow, from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
"Brace yourself for bone-chilling thrills and unexpected frights!" event organizers said.
Before the trail, stop by the "Halloween Fun Zone" for kids age 2 to 12. There will be a trunk-or-treat, a photo booth, music, crafts, games and face painting. Costumes are encouraged!
Food trucks will be available too! There's even a coffee truck and an ice cream truck on the vendor list.
If you missed it last weekend, the N.C. State Fair will stay open daily through Oct. 27. Grab a funnel cake (or something else fried) and make your way to a high-flying ride.
More than 60 animals will be at the State Fair Ark. There’s music, a miniature farm known as the “field of dreams,” a dairy show, antique farm equipment and plenty of other exhibits and shows ready to entertain.
Click here for tickets. Children age 5 and under are free.
Related article: Peach cobbler pizza, live music and more: A look at the N.C. State Fa.
Pumpkin picking at Holder Hill Farm
If you haven't yet, it's a good time to head to the patches and pluck that jack-o'-lantern! Holder Hill Farm, like many other pumpkin patches across the state, is embracing the season with hayrides, walking rails and of course, pumpkins!
The 7-acre patch is filled with a variety of gourds of all shapes and sizes.
The farm is open seven days a week through Nov. 3.
Tickets are $16, and those age 2 and under are free.
Admission includes the hay ride, corn maze, nature trail, corn crib, hay mountain, tractor land, a visit with farm animals, and a pumpkin.
There are also plenty of corn mazes to get lost in. One in Shelby has a haunted maze on weekends in October.
The Shelby Fall Festival has an 8-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, U-pick flowers, farm animals and more than 40 attractions.
Expect food, fun and family entertainment.
Tickets start at $15 for those age 3 and older.
Here are some other corn mazes cropping up around the state:
McKee Cornfield Maze - Rougemont, N.C.
Hubb's Farm Corn Maze - Clinton, N.C.
Naylor Family Farm & Corn Maze - Fuquay Varina, N.C.
Grab a turkey leg and take a step back in time! The Carolina Renaissance Festival is going on in Huntersville Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 24., from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. The festival opened last weekend.
"Adventure awaits with games and rides, valiant jousting knights on horseback, majestic falconry, beautiful mermaids and fairies, friendly dragons, feasting, and so much more," event organizer posted.
With over 140 vendors, there's jewelry, arts and crafts available at the event's open-air market, and the opportunity to rent a costume for the day. Event-style food, like bread bowls, and beverages are available too. From tomato-tossing to a jousting show, entertainment is scattered through the park.
Tickets can be purchased ahead of time. Event organizers say they often sell out. Children under age 4 are free.
Carowinds transforms into a haunted amusement park at night with haunted houses, mazes, "scare zones," roaming monsters and live performances.
"Hungry hordes of zombies and bloodthirsty vampires lie in wait, ready to turn unsuspecting guests into their next macabre feast. Their sinister screams echo throughout the park, an inescapable chorus of terror," SCarowinds organizers posted.
Carowinds recommends only those age 13 and older attend. Gates open at 6 p.m. and close at midnight.
For younger kids and for those who prefer more family-friendly activities, the park has "Tricks and Treats" and Oktoberfest events during the day on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month.
Rides are open and there's pumpkin decorating, a pumpkin patch where children can choose a pumpkin, a parade, and a Halloween costume contest. Kids are encouraged to bring something to hold their candy in if they want to participate in the "trick or treat trail." The event is noon to 6 p.m.
The park opens at 10 a.m. both days. Tickets vary in price and are free for those who hold certain season passes. The park is at 14523 Carowinds Blvd. in Charlotte.