Trick or Treat, Spooky or Sweet?

Local Halloween and Harvest Events Varied and Plentiful

Compiled by Corinne Saunders

Boo! Many Halloween events and celebrations in the High Country have already begun, with many more taking place as the end of October approaches. From haunted trails and houses to pumpkin-carving to dances, now is the time to take advantage of the area’s numerous offerings of Halloween and harvest-related activities. Take a date, a friend or the whole family to a few of the following events and enjoy some Halloween chills and thrills and harvest fun.

Ghost Train at Tweetsie October 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31
The Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad will make the rounds for its 20th season of “spooktacular” fun in the High Country every Friday and Saturday night through Saturday, October 31. The Freaky Forest debuts this year, and scores of other thrilling attractions await. The gates open at 7:30 p.m. and advance tickets are required. Tickets are $26 for adults and children, and children ages 2 and under are free. For more information or to purchase tickets, click to www.tweetsie.com.

Haunted Horn October 22 to 24, 28 to 31
Walk the spooky trails at Horn in the West in Boone beginning at dark on any of the seven days it is open to the public. Haunted Horn takes place from Thursday to Saturday, October 22 to 24, and from Wednesday to Saturday, October 28 to 31. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students with an ID. Haunted Horn is not recommended for children under 9, but if you bring them, their admission is $5. For more information, call 828-264-2120.

4th Annual Valle Crucis Punkin Festival October 24
The Valle Crucis Punkin Festival is a kid-friendly event with games for kids of all ages that will take place at the Mast General Store Annex in Valle Crucis on Saturday, October 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free, and a section of the festival grounds will be set aside for “less mess” pumpkin carving. All you have to do is cut your design; the pumpkins are already “gutted.” For more information, call 828-963-6511.

An Appalachian Harvest Barn Dance October 24
The National Park Service invites locals to attend the free annual Halloween/Harvest Barn Dance on Saturday, October 24, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Attendees should meet at the Bass Lake parking area off Highway 221 for a two-mile roundtrip walk to the historic Moses Cone Apple Barn. Enjoy a cup of hot apple cider and learn some old-timey folk dancing such as the Virginia Reel and square dance to the tune of live fiddle music with live callers. A craft table for children will be set up, and they can make a cornhusk doll or Halloween mask. For more information, call 828-295-6308.

Haunted House at Trade Community Center October 24-25 and 27-30
The Trade VFD and Trade Days Committee are co-hosting a Haunted House at the Trade Community Center from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, October 24 and 25, and Monday to Friday, October 27 to 30. Admission is $5 per person for a spooky good time, and all proceeds benefit the Trade VFD and Trade Community Center.

Haunted Maze in Mountain City October 17, 24 and 31
The Haunted Maze, a corn maze on the Shull family farm, begins at 8:00 p.m. every Saturday in October. Admission is $8 for ages 12 and up, $6 for ages 3 to 11 and free for ages 2 and under. Call 423-291-1117 or 423-291-1135 for group rates.

Shull’s Farm is located at 4249 Roan Creek Road in Mountain City, Tenn., approximately four miles south of the intersection of highways 421 and 167. For more information, click to www.shulls-farm.com.

Halloween Festival at Historic Cove Creek School October 31
A Halloween Festival will take place from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, at the Historic Cove Creek School gym. All ages are invited to attend, and activities will include a costume contest, games, food, a cakewalk and more. A Haunted House for ages 10 and up will take place from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., and all events are fundraisers for the nonprofit Sugar Grove Developmental Day School. To volunteer to help, call Tawnya at 828-297-4226.

Blowing Rock Halloween Festival October 31
The Blowing Rock Halloween Festival will take place Saturday, October 31, in downtown Blowing Rock, from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. Plan for an afternoon of nonstop fun with hayrides, airwalks, games, a scavenger hunt and the Monster March Costume Parade. Prizes awarded for best costumes and scavenger hunt winners. Admission is free, and don’t forget to bring a flashlight. For more information, call 828-295-5222.

Trunk or Treat in Banner Elk October 31
Avery County goblins and ghouls, along with their parents and friends, are invited to gather at Tate-Evans Park in Banner Elk for the 5th annual Halloween Trunk or Treat, which takes place on Saturday, October 31, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. This year’s event, sponsored by the Avery County Arts Council and Kiwanis International, features a “bigger and better” Haunted House and loads of candy for trick-or-treaters. Admission is free, and discounted hot dogs and roasted corn will be available for purchase at the event. For more information, call 828-898-8395.

Masquerade Halloween Dance at Broyhill October 31
High Country Pride, a local nonprofit, will present the inaugural Masquerade Halloween Dance for ages 21 and up on Saturday, October 31, from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center in Boone. Admission is $10 and supports High Country Pride and ALPHA, another nonprofit.

The event features music from all eras, special lighting and a cash bar, as well as a dinner buffet for an additional fee. Costumes are strongly encouraged. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click to www.HighCountryPride.org.

Ghoulish Gala at The Inn at Crestwood October 31
The Inn at Crestwood will host its inaugural Ghoulish Gala on Saturday, October 31, from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at the Inn at Crestwood in Boone. Gala activities and offers include a DJ dance party, costume contest, beverage specials, special lodging packages and more. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door and include one drink ticket. For more information, click to www.crestwoodnc.com or call 828-963-6646.

Blount Harvey and Boone All Stars at Murphy’s October 31
Halloween at Murphy’s Restaurant & Pub, located at 747 West King Street in Boone, will feature Blount Harvey, a band from Greensboro, opening the night, with a performance by Boone All Stars to follow. For more information, call 828-264-5117.

Mike Alvarado Band at Dragonfly October 31
ASU music industry major Mike Alvarado, who won the Music Entertainment Industry Student Association (MEISA) songwriting competition at ASU in 2007, will perform original pop tunes along with his band at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, at Dragonfly Theatre and Pub. The cost is $5. For more information, click to www.myspace.com/michaelaalvaradomusic.

Bafoodus at Boone Saloon October 31
Bafoodus will play Boone Saloon on Saturday, October 31, at 10:00 p.m., and the 3rd annual Halloween Costume Party will take place simultaneously. For more information, click to www.myspace.com/bafoodus.