Hello Smarties! We are at the end of October and that means Halloween. I know what most of you will be doing on Saturday night but there is an entire weekend left. There are many family activities to enjoy from festivals to events in our parks. There are also some great alternatives to trick or treating. For kids with food allergies, there is a special event and trunk or treat events as well. I am having a hard time believing that November is just around the corner!! Get out and enjoy this last weekend of October and if you have event you would like to share post in comments or email me at Courtenay@charlottesmartypants.com.
Morrison Fall Festival to Benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation
Morrison at SouthPark
October 31, 10:00am-2:00pm
Family event to feature games, prizes and food. Kids can trick-or-treat throughout the shopping center and win prizes for their costumes! Donations will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
5th annual Haunted Festival
521 Recreation Center, 11401 Ardrey Kell Road
October 30, 6:00pm-10:00pm
Take a ride on the Bungee Trampoline or knock down opponents with the Wrecking Ball. Explore the Haunted Maze and Monsters Lounge. Free carnival games and candy. Cost is $5-$8.
Owl-o-Ween
Carolina Raptor Center
October 30, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Come out to our inaugural Halloween event! Members can go throughout the center, enjoy scary stories by a camp fire, go on night hikes to find owls lurking in the forest, dance at the monster mash dance party, and other ghoulish games. Families are invited to come dressed in their most creative costumes and participate in our costume contest. This is a member’s only event. Please RSVP by Oct. 28. Cost is Included in admission. Call 704.875.6521 ext. 207.
Creepy Crawly Critter Celebration
Reedy Creek Nature Center
October 30, 7:00pm-10:00pm
Celebrate all that’s creepy and crawly on Halloween Eve. Most creatures in our world are not warm and fuzzy, but that doesn’t make them any less lovable. Come see for yourself how these creatures play an important role in our environment. All ages. Call 704-598-8857.
Halloween Costume Contest
Carmel Library, 6624 Walsh Blvd.
October 30, 3:00pm
Join us for a Halloween Costume Contest light refreshments will be served.
Davidson Halloween March
Start at Davidson Town Hall
October 30, 5:00pm
Costumed characters of all ages can march down Main Street for trick-or-treating from merchants.
Trunk-or-Treat
First United Methodist Church, 501 N. Tryon St.
October 30, 7:00pm
Children can dress up and trick or treat in a safe family-friendly environment. There will be bobbing for apples, pumpkin decorating, Halloween crafts and more.
Halloween Hoot-n-Howl
Carolina Raptor Center
October 31, 11:00am-5:00pm
Participate in costume contests, paint pumpkins, see live raptor presentations and learn everyday “magic.” There will also be cookie decorating, storytelling and hoot-of hooting contests. Go on hay rides (limited space) or have your photo taken with a raptor (extra fee). Cost is $8 adults, $6 students, free under 5.
Pumpkin Patch Hayrides
Carrigan Farms
October 31, 9:00am- 4:00pm
Hayrides leave every 15 minutes and no reservations are needed. Everyone gets a pumpkin out of the pumpkin patch, visits the petting zoo and tastes fresh apple cider.
Not So Spooky Halloween Carnival
Village Green Matthews
October 31, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Matthew’s carnival for children under 10. There will be Curley the Clown, Old Fashioned Hay Rides, Spooky Tattoos, a Pumpkin Walk and Ghostly Golf, many games and prizes! There will also be a Costume parade, so come dressed in your costumes, ready to have a great time! Cost is $5 per child, age one and over.
James K. Polk Birthday Celebration
President James K. Polk State Historic Site, 12031 Lancaster Highway, Pineville
October 31, 10:00am-4:00pm
Yummy German chocolate cake, painted turnips, colorful dances and guided tours of gravestones will mark the President Polk’s 214th birthday. Kids can play with all-but-forgotten toys such as yo-yos, cup-and-ball and Jacob’s ladders. Also woodworking demonstrations, Red Hill Dance Society performances and living history vignettes such as blacksmithing and open-hearth cooking.
Lollipops: The Haunted Orchestra
Belk Theater
October 31, 11:00am, Pre-concert Festival at 10:00am
A real Halloween treat, no tricks. Nerdy Mr. Kirby, from the National Association of Children’s Entertainment (N.I.C.E.) doesn’t believe in the magical power of music. But when the conductor waves his magic baton, strange things begin to happen. Cost is $12-$25.
St. Ann’s Carnival
St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 3635 Park Road
October 31, 10:00am-6:00pm
Find rides, games and festival cooking and crafts. Halloween costume contest, face painting, mega slide, silent auction, music.
Food Free Halloween Carnival
St. Matthew Catholic Church Parish Center Gymnasium
October 31, 10:00am-noon
Parents of Allergic Kids hosts event for food-allergic families only. Craft tables, trick or treating from different game areas, temporary tattoos, and special guest Sal Howard, author of “Paisley Can’t Eat Peanuts” children’s book, will read from his book.
English Cowboy Carnival Extravaganza
Cedarhill Farm, 2620 Waxhaw Marvin Road, Waxhaw
November 01, 1:00pm-6:00pm
Riders and non-riders alike can enjoy this fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The day includes a Poker Trail Ride, Obstacle Ride, carnival, raffle, bonfire and food. Cost is $5-$15 for pony rides, armbands.
Forest Harvest Hike
Reedy Creek Nature Center
November 01, 2:00pm-3:30pm
It’s harvest time of year. Join a naturalist as we learn about what the animals of Reedy Creek are harvesting this time of year. All ages.
Smarties get on board for a Sesame Street Adventure. Register for our newest giveaway, a family four-pack to see Sesame Street Live – Elmo’s Green Thumb. This new show is all about the earth, environment and making friends. All your kids favorites will be there. The best part, we have not just one four-pack but two – there will be two very Smarty winners. So sign up now to win your tickets to see the latest from our furry friends at Sesame Street. Click Here to enter.
