Halloween Happenings

Illustration by Mark Brincefield, Salisbury Post

Kids and adults alike enjoy the Pumpkin Pathc Express and Pumpki Patch Fair at the N.C. Transportation Museum.

Kids and adults alike enjoy the Pumpkin Pathc Express and Pumpki Patch Fair at the N.C. Transportation Museum.

Kids and adults alike enjoy the Pumpkin Pathc Express and Pumpki Patch Fair at the N.C. Transportation Museum.

- Halloween FunFest in Historic Downtown Salisbury — 3-6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31, 3:00-6:00 p.m. Salisbury Parks & Rec and Downtown Salisbury Inc. host the annual Halloween FunFest Children of all ages dress up and compete for prizes in costume contests. Games for kids, Haunted Trolley rides, other activities (nominal fees for games and rides). Trick or Treat for 12 and under (in costume and accompanied by parent) with downtown merchants from 4-5. 704-637-7814.

- JF Hurley Family YMCA Bedrock Halloween Carnival — 5:30-8 p.m., OCt. 31. "Dress to Scare" costume contest, inflatables, The Lost Cave, climbing rock, games, cake walk, Jurassic Journey. Dinner. 828 Jake Alexander Blvd. 704-636-0111.

- Gold Hill Ghost Tour — Oct. 31. Walking tours to historic sites to hear ghost stories from Gold Hill's mining past. Barnhardt and the Randolph Mines, Miller Mine Shaft all located on the 70-acre historic theme park. Guided ghost tours begin at the Russell-Rufty Shelter in the park. While waiting, each registered party will have a chance to watch "Legend Hunters, Ghost," a documentary filmed at the park for the Travel Channel. Groups of 12-15 people will be guided to the ghost story sites and then each group will get to visit the Old Stone Jail where a team from the North Carolina Paranormal Investigations (NCPI) will explain the procedures in ghost hunting and give a hands-on exhibit on equipment used in investigations. A hayride to the Powder House will be a highlight of the night. The cellar-like structure, which housed dynamite for the mines, was the scene of a gruesome accident that claimed the life of a miner in the late 1800's. New site added for this year's tour: amphitheater stage for story of a miner's heroic deed and his tragic death. Ghost walk in the village will follow the hayride.

Visitors are reminded to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress warmly. Costumes and masks are not recommended as this impairs vision.$5 per person, children under 12- $3. www.HistoricGoldHill.com. 704-267-9439.

- The Pumpkin Patch Express and Pumpkin Patch Fair offer spooky Halloween Fun fit for all ages, N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer — 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Halloween Day. Kids can dress in their costumes for a train ride and special activities at the Bob Julian Roundhouse. Halloween themed train with friendly ghosts and witches rolls out at 11 a.m., 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Treats on the train as it makes its way to the museum's Roundhouse. Train rides $7. Museum members can purchase discounted tickets.

Pumpkin Patch Fair in the Roundhouse-Halloween goodies, coloring, miniature haunted house, appropriate for children of all ages.

Costume contest aboard the N.C. Transportation Museum turntable at noon. Take a spin while kids compete for a special prize for the best Halloween costume.

Pumpkin painting $2 for museum members and $3 for non-members, includes a pumpkin you can take home. www.nctrans.org.

- Boogerwoods Haunted Trail 2009 — Oct. 29, 30, 31. Proceeds donated toward cure for Cystic Fibrosis. www.boogerwoods.org. 704-855-7922.

- Carowinds' new Howl-O-Fest's Boo Blast — Noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1. Paladium Amphitheater. "Scream-free" family option. www.carowinds.com.

Scarowinds — 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 29, and 30; 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Oct. 24 and 31. Although there are no specific age restrictions, SCarowinds is likely to frighten people and is only recommended for those over the age of 13. Those younger than 13 and people who prefer not to be scared would be better served by the Howl-O-Fest. www.carowinds.com.

Forbidden Forest — Begins at dark Oct. 29-31. Old Beatty Ford Road, Rockwell. $12. Proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Hospital. 704-2243-2765. www.forbiddenforesthorrortrail.com.

- Fall carnival at Oakdale Baptist Church — 2-4 p.m., Oct. 31. Games, prizes, food, music, pumpkin painting, 18-foot inflatable slide. Public welcome. 200 Charles St., Spencer. Trunk or Treat — 5:30 p.m., Memorial United Methodist Church, 1100 W. C Street, Kannapolis. Free hot dogs, outdoor movie, popcorn, candy. 704-932-6711.

Halloween and Crime Prevention program — 6-9 p.m., Oct. 30. J.C. Price Post 107, 1433 Old Wilkesboro Road. Music, K-9s, firetruck, food, candy. Under 8 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

- The Big Top on Hill Top — 6:30-10 p.m. Halloween night. 2725 Hill Top Drive, Spring Valley Development off Miller Road. Carnival/circus themed activities and frights, games, popcorn, candy. Contact Donnie or Joy Canup, 704-856-0697.

- Boo at the Zoo at Tiger World — 6-9 p.m. Oct. 30, 5-9 p.m. Oct. 31. Exotic animals, haunted house, games, prizes, giveaways, face painting trick or treating. Boo the tiger makes guest appearance. Spots limited, sign up to reserve space for children: 704-279-6363.

- Candy Crawl, Downtown Concord — 3-5 p.m., Oct. 30. Storyteller in front of the library at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.

- Rocky River Vineyards Halloween Costume Party — 7-10 p.m., Oct. 30. $20 per person. Deejay, dancing, food and glass of wine. Must wear costume to enter. Contest and prizes. 704-781-5035. 11685 Reed Mine Road, Midland. www.rockyrivervineyards.com.

Halloween Daze and Spooky Knights at the Carolina Renaissance Festival — Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Children age 5-12 admitted free throughout day, treat bags provided. 877-896-5544. www.RenFestInfo.com.

- Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze — 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays through Nov. 1. 4431 Neck Road, off Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville. $10 ages 13 through adult; $7 ages 5-122; free age 4 and under. "Flashlight Mazes" 7-8 p.m. Oct. 9, 23, 30-$15 ages 13+, $10 ages 5-12. Bring your own flashlight. 704-875-3113. www.ruralhill.net.

- Ghost Hunts at Latta Plantation — 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Oct. 30-31, RSVP required, $60. 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-2312, ext. 301. www.lattaplantation.org.

- Organ at Davidson presents "Hunchback of Notre Dame" — Halloween tradition continues Oct. 30 with 7:30 and 11 p.m. showings of the 1923 classic horror film featuring Lon Chaney with spine-tingling organ improvisations by St. Alban's Henry Lebedinsky. Sanctuary of Davidson College Presbyterian Church, free with donations encouraged to continue the annual series. www.dcpc.org. 704-892-5641.

- Ghost Train Halloween Festival at Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock — 7:30-11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31. Includes debut of Freaky Forest. www.tweetsie.com.

- Clifford's Howl-lo-ween Party — 9-11 a.m., Oct. 31. Childrens Museum of Winston-Salem. Registration required. $10. www.childrensmuseumofws.org.