Written by Bradley Bommarito
Halloween is coming up fast, falling on next Thursday, Oct. 31 this year. For those eager to start celebrating “Spoopy Szn,” there’s no wait required- some of these events are as early as this weekend! Check out this list of college and local Halloween and Fall-themed events:
Salem Area:
Pumpkin Fest
Come take a walk through the Chefs vs. Surgeons Jack O’ Lantern patch and vote for your favorite pumpkin. There will also be carnival games, inflatables (tickets needed), pumpkin give-away, costume contest, and a pumpkin auction. Dojo Grill, Master Sergeant BBQ, and Kettle Cooker Express will all be there as well to serve dinner and there will be a beer truck on site. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics.
Date: Friday, October 25, 2019
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Costume contest at 8 p.m. followed by the Pumpkin auction at 8:30 p.m.)
Location: Salem Farmers Market, 3 E. Main St., Salem, VA
Cost: Kids in costumes are free. Admission is $5
(inflatable tickets are .50 cents each or 12 for $5)
Sponsor: Q-99
Roanoke City:
Zoo Boo
Are you looking for a great, safe place to bring your family for some howling Halloween fun? Spend your Halloween holiday at Mill Mountain Zoo’s annual Zoo Boo! From trick-or-treating, to costume contests, to performances and “spooktacular” art activities, Zoo Boo is a fun-filled day for the whole family! Plus, you get to enjoy it all in the beautiful outdoor setting of Mill Mountain Zoo. Even better, all of these activities are included with Zoo admission! So for a “terrorably” good time, come and celebrate Halloween 2019 with the animals and staff of Mill Mountain Zoo.
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2019
Time: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Admission: $10 for adults and $8 for kids
Location: Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke, Va.
Big Lick Brewing Co. Halloween Party
Join Big Lick Brewing Co. for their annual Halloween Party on Saturday, October 26th! Like all good Halloween parties, this will be a costume party, so be sure to come dressed in your spookiest attire! (Costumes are encouraged, but not required.) There will be a costume contest with prizes awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Judging of costumes will take place from 5 – 8:30 pm and winners will be announced at 9 pm. You must be present to win! 2Dye4Que food truck will be here serving up their delicious ‘que and fixins and we’ll have live music by Five Shades of Gray from 6:30 – 9:30 pm! Not to mention there will be plenty of great witches’ brew on tap and free Halloween candy while supplies last! It’ll be a scary good time you won’t want to miss!
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2019
Times: 1pm – 10pm
Location: Big Lick Brewing Co. in Roanoke, Va.
Admission: Free
Sponsor: Big Lick Brewing Company
Spooky Sprint 2019
Run or walk this family and pet friendly event where costumes are encouraged. A panel of local celebrities will judge our costume contest! Awards are given to the top 3 male and female runners in each age group, as well as the top 3 overall winners, a prize also goes to the team with the most runners. The afterparty can’t be beat- craft beer and great food and music make for the perfect post-run relaxation! Be sure to sign up early so you are guaranteed a shirt!
Dates and Times: Saturday, Oct 26 at 9 AM and Sunday, Oct 27 at 8:30 AM
Location: Wasena Park in Roanoke, Va.
Sponsor: West End Center For Youth, Inc.
Roanoke College events:
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Come view and participate in a production of the cult-classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show!
Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Time: 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Location: Massengill
Sponsor: Alpha Phi Omega (APO)
Contact: Kyle Grohbrugge, kegrohbrugge@mail.roanoke.edu
Halloween Fest
Come check out the Haunted House in Wells Basement (Entrance with Canned Food Donation). There will also be pumpkin carving, a mechanical bull, an inflatable haunted maze, caramel apples, and cotton candy on the Back Quad.
Date: Thursday, October 31, 2019
Time: 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Location: Wells Basement and Back Quad
Sponsors: CAB, RHA, RCPA, Honors, Res Life & Housing, Student Activities
Contact: Campus Activities Board, CAB@roanoke.edu
