School Festivals
The Auburn City Schools Fall Festival Tuesday, September 20 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Duck Samford Sports Complex. Lots of Family Fun! Great Games & Music for all ages! Tickets on sale at Elementary Schools or at the Fall Festival.
Halloween Events
City of Auburn 11th Annual
Downtown Trick or Treat
October 31; 6:00-8:00pm. Free to the public. Ages: 12 years and younger (Parents must accompany children at this event.) Bring your monsters, rock stars, princesses, and clowns to the best party in town. Join us in this excellent alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating. Downtown “Monster Merchants” will provide treats for the children and delightful sounds from our “special” entertainment will fill the night air. Also, don’t miss out on your chance to win the “Best Costume” contest and bring your favorite four-legged friends and enter them for a chance to win the Best Pet Costume Contest! More information, 501-2930.
3rd Annual Carve a Bite Out of Hunger Food Drive- Help us carve a bite out of hunger by bringing a non-perishable food item with you to Downtown Trick or Treat. Collection bins will be placed throughout downtown to accept your donations. Items collected will benefit the Food Bank of East Alabama.
City of Opelika Parks and Recreation Fall Festival & Children’s Carnival
W. James Samford, Jr. Soccer Complex Sportsplex. October 25; 6:00-8:00pm. Children 12 and under invited. Safe alternative to Trick or Treating. Children wear costumes and bring your treat bags. Come for hayrides, prizes, games, rides and entertainment, inflatable slides, mascots, special booths and exciting events. Tickets: $.25 per ticket.
Fall Treats- October 18-Enjoy making and eating your favorite fall treats. 3:30-4:30pm. Ages: 5-9 yrs. Fee: $7. 705-5560.
Halloween Treat Bags- October 20. Make the perfect bag for your treats. 6-7pm. Ages: 6-10 yrs. Fee: $5. 705-5560.
Pumpkin Carving- October 24. Carve the perfect jack-o-lantern. 6-7pm. Fee: $5. 705-5560.
6th Annual Howl-oween Costume Contest and Dog Parade- October 24. 5:30 pm: Photos and Canine Trick or Treat. 6:00pm: Costume Parade. Downtown Opelika. For your pet to participate, register at Canine American, 108 South 8th Street, Opelika. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Rescue K911. 745-0466
10th Annual Spooktacular Halloween Festival- October 29th, 5:00- 7:00 pm. Downtown on Broadway, Columbus, Ga. Sign up for the costume contest which will take place at 6:15 pm and First and Second place winners will be awarded in each category. Spooktacular provides a safe environment for the children of Columbus to enjoy the holiday. So wear your best costume and come to Spooktacular for a haunting night of ghosts and goblins, spooky activities, candy and lots of fun!
Auburn Public Library Annual Halloween Party – October 27. 6:00pm. Children ages 3-11 are to wear costumes, make crafts and enjoy fun activities at the Auburn Public Library. For more information, contact Auburn Public Library Youth Services at 501-3196.
Creepy Wonderful Critters ‘Wolves’- The Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. October 22. 10:00am. Come learn about wolves! Snakes, spiders, lizards, and other creepy critters will be on display. www.auburn.edu/preserve
Pine Hills Cemetery Lantern Tours-
October 6-7. Pine Hills is the oldest of Auburn’s four burying grounds. This is a luminary tour through the cemetery in the early evening hours of the day. Early inhabitants of Auburn come to life and tell tour goers who they were and what their significance to Auburn was. www.auburnheritage.org
Vanynberg Vignettes Halloween Production- The Frederick House, Opelika, AL. October 20-22, 28-29 & 31. A creative answer to the typical, run-of-the-mill haunted house. We’re putting together a creative team to develop a highly stylized, well-scripted, dynamic theatrical production that will leave our audiences speechless. Don’t expect worms, or witches with brooms. The Vanynberg Vignettes is a bone-chilling story about a Southern family which will need no frills. Tickets $25-35; www.thelaymangroup.org
Fall Farms
Backyard Orchards
6585 Hwy 431 North, Pittsview, Al (just 13 miles north of Eufaula). “From Our Backyard To Yours.” 1st Annual Backyard Patch: September 31-November 1. Backyard Orchards provides fresh produce and country atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. Join us this fall on our 2 acres of pumpkins and gourds, sunflowers, and peanuts for boiling. Ride on the hayride with your family to pick the perfect pumpkin! Other fall fun includes face painting, corn cribs, and animals. Find us on Facebook or call 334-695-7623.
Dream Field Farms
6376 Highway 82, Union Springs, Al.
334-534-6976. www.dreamfieldfarms.com. Pumpkin patch-pick in the field, train rides, corn maze, child-sized hay bale maze, corn cannon, tractor-pulled hay rides, inflatables, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, farm animals and more. October1-31; Monday- Wednesday 9:00am- 2:00pm; Thursday- Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm; Sundays 1:00-5:00pm.
Farmer in the Dell Pumpkin Patch Lee Country Road 61, Auburn. Located 6 miles west of Toomer’s Corner off of Hwy 14 near Loachapoka School. 334-750-3792. Pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, child-sized hay bale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides and more. October 1-30. www.farmerinthedellpumpkinpatch.com
Jack-O-Lantern Lane at The Oaks L.L.C.
18151 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Lafayette, Al. 334-864-0713. www.jackolanternlane.com; Pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, tractor-pulled hay rides, wagon rides, petting zoo, inflatable park, train rides, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, face painting, and more. Open October 1-31. Saturday 9:00am-dark; Sunday 1:00pm-dark. Also available by reservation Monday-Friday for school, church, daycare field trips and more.
Paradise Pumpkin Patch
910 County Road 79 South, Eufaula, Al. Craig Hawkins 334-695-2258. www.paradisepumpkinpatch.com. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, sunflower and cotton fields, giant inflatable park, petting zoo, playground, cow train, hay rides, pony rides, covered wagon rides pulled by a team of mules, giant corn box and hay bale mazes, concessions, and gift shop. September 24-November 4. Saturdays 9:00am-6:00pm and Sundays 12:00-6:00 pm. Special event dates and field trips available Monday-Friday.
The Grand Old Pumpkin Patch
1901 Lay Dam Road , Clanton, Al.
205-755-4553. www.alabamagrandolepumpkinpatch.com. Acres of fresh-off-the-vine pumpkins, covered wagon rides, pony rides, face painting and hay rides, helicopter rides, twacter train, petting zoo, inflatable park, concessions, and more. October 1-31. Monday-Saturday 8:00am-dark; Sunday 1:00pm-dark.
Corn Dodgers Farm- 1555 Knowles Road, Headland, AL. www.corndodgersfarm.com; September 24-October 30. Friday 5:00-10:00pm, Saturday 12:00-10:00pm, and Sunday 1:00-6:00pm. Corn field maze, pumpkin barn (pick your own), cow train ride, corn cannon, pony rides, corn box, sunflower path, hay rides, pipe maze, farm-sized tic-tac-toe, and more!
Pope’s Haunted Farm- 450 Lee Rd 724, Salem, Al. (706) 566-7766. October 7-8, 14-15, 21-23, 26-30. Friday-Saturday 7:30-11:00pm; Sunday 7:30-10:00pm. Pope’s Haunted Farm has three different events to experience and scare you. The Haunted Barn made as a mock of the Saw movies, the Haunted Hayride that many have claimed to see the infamous evil specter Jasper, and lastly you can experience the Haunted Forest that’s an unguided tour that includes a graveyard deep in the woods. Tickets: $12.00-$25.00. (some experiences not recommended for young children). Coupons on the website; www.popeshayride.com
Arts & Crafts Festivals
2nd Annual Hot Strings! Birmingham’s Blazin’ Bluegrass Festival- The Preserve, Hoover, Al. October 9. Featuring some of the best names in Bluegrass including Blue Highway, Claire Lynch, The Newgrass Troubadours, Cottonmouth Creek, and others. Great food, art, kid’s zone, fiddlin’ contest, jam sessions, farm demonstrations, and more! www.thefoundryonline.org/hotstrings
5th Annual Pirates of the Chattahoochee / Southern Pirate Festival- The National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus. October 22-23; 11:00 am. This is a family-friendly event for all ages, featuring pirate-themed activities for kids and adults alike, cannon firings, demonstrations, games and of course, lots of Pirates! www.portcolumbus.org or www.southernpiratefestival.com.
5th Annual Ready, Set, Grow!
Harvest Festival and Arts & Crafts Fair- Village Green Park, Main St. & Grandview Rd., Millbrook, AL. September 24. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pumpkin Growing contest. Proceeds from the Harvest Festival fund this six-year old educational program that is offered free to children ages 5-12. www.readysetgrowal.webs.com.
15th Annual Peanut Festival- Downtown Plains, Ga. Sept 23-24. Parade with President Carter, 5K/Mile Runs, peanut samples, arts and crafts, food vendors, and more! 229-824-5373.
16th Annual Arts on the River- 1100 Block of Broadway, Columbus, Ga. October 15. 11:00am-5:00pm. The fine art show and sale includes paint, photography, hand-thrown pottery, and sculpture, with some artists performing live demonstrations. Free.
27th Annual Oktoberfest- Charles E. Bailey, Sr. Sportplex, Alexander City, AL. October 8. Day-long celebration features local arts and crafts, great food, entertainment, Kid-Fest children’s activities, sports programs, antique car show and much more. A Native American Artifact show is our newest showcase 256-234-3461. www.alexandercityonline.com.
40th Annual Harvest Day Festival- Headland, Al. October 8; 9:00am-4:00pm. Arts and crafts, children’s games and rides, wonderful food and entertainment. www.headlandal.com
45th Annual Pike Road Arts & Crafts Fair- Historic Marks House, Pike Road, Al. November 5. 9:00am-4:00pm. Shop the arts and crafts and eat BBQ, sweets, and more! Special activities for the children too – face painting, a tour of the Pike Road Fire Department’s Mobile Fire Safety House and free “make and take” crafts will be provided by Home Depot.
56th Annual Cullman County Fair- September 22-October 1. Thrilling rides, amazing exhibits, and the best in local and regional entertainment. www.cullmancountyfair.org.
2011 National Peanut Festival- Dothan, Al. November 4-14, Friday., 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, 12:00 noon- until; Monday, 5-10 p.m.; Tuesday, 3-10 p.m.; Wednesday, 5-10 p.m.; Thursday, 4-10 p.m. 334-793-4323. www.nationalpeanutfestival.com. 5622 U.S. Hwy. 231 S.--Livestock exhibits, competitions, crafts, food preservation, recipe contests, entertainment, carnival rides and much more! Live entertainment includes Craig Campbell, Uncle Kracker, Percy Sledge and Building 429.
Alabama Cotton Festival- October 8. 8:00am-6:00pm. Eclectic, Al. Arts and crafts, flea market items, concession, etc. Booth spaces are free. 5K Cotton Run, Alabama Rook Tournament, local talent contest, children’s activities, antique cars and tractors, performances by Keith Moody, Fire Mountain and Bradley Roberson.
Alabama National Fair- Garret Coliseum, Montgomery, Al. October 7-16. Midway rides, main stage entertainment, food, information and commercial booths, kids area, livestock and other competition, family faith day, etc. www.alnationalfair.org.
Alabama Tale Tellin’ Festival Presented by ArtsRevive- 3 Church Street, Selma, Al. October 14-15. 5:30 p.m. The performers this year are Anndrena Belcher, Wanda Johnson and The Dill Pickers. A special tribute will be given each evening to “Miss Kathryn”. 334-878-2787. www.artsrevive.com.
Alexander City Fall Festival- Alexander City, Al. October 29. 256-212-1479. www.russelllandsonlakemartin.com; Free. Russell Crossroads. Join friends and neighbors for pumpkin painting, a costume contest, wagon rides and more, courtesy of Russell Lands on Lake Martin.
Bluff Park Art Show- Bluff Park Community Center, 517 Cloudland Dr. Hoover, Al. October 1. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sponsored by the Bluff Park Art Association and includes more than 130 local and national artists displaying fine art for sale. Bring the kids to enjoy some hands on art fun. Free admission, parking and shuttles. www.bluffparkartassociation.org
Carver Sweet Potato Growers Arts and Crafts Association Festival- Town Square, Tuskegee, Al. October 15. Celebrate the nutritional value of the sweet potato and its impact on Alabama’s agriculture industry. Sweet potato competition (all sweet potatoes entered must be grown, not purchased), arts and crafts competition, music, sweet potato pies and sweet potato ice cream. 334-727-8320.
Central Alabama Fair- Lion’s Fair Park, 2401 W. Dallas Ave. Selma, Al. Oct 3-9. 334-875-7241, www.SelmaAlabama.com. Fun-filled event offering a midway with rides, entertainment, beauty pageant, agricultural exhibits, livestock judging and a competition for local arts, crafts, canning, sewing, and more!
Christmas Made in the South- Columbus Convention & Trade Center, Ga. October 28-30. Amazing craftspeople, outstanding art, unique gourmet food, and diverse entertainment to whet and satisfy every demanding appetite. Handmade, one-of-a-kind designs populate the booths that fill the festival: silk wearables to fabric bags, dichroic glass jewelry to close-up photography of nature’s funniest and fiercest creatures all await and more! Adults $6.00, Children 12 & under-Free; admission good for all 3 days. www.madeinthesouthshows.com
Christmas Village Festival- Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham. November 2-6; Thursday-Saturday 10:00am- 8:00pm; Sunday 12:00 noon-5:00pm. The largest indoor arts, crafts, and gifts show in the south, this show draws exhibitors from over 30 states with products like clothing, jewelry, food, decorations and much, much more. www.christmasvillagefestival.com
Cotton Pickin’ County Fair- Gay, Ga. October 1-2. Return to 1910 where the Farmhouse, the Cotton Gin, and the Cotton Warehouse form a unique backdrop for a great day of 21st century fun. Amidst skilled artisans and antique specialists, the Fair shares remnants of farm life in days gone by. New talent keeps the festival fresh and interesting while returning artists welcome loyal customers seeking to add to individual collections. www.cpfair.org
Country Living Fair- Stone Mountain, Ga. October 21-23. Meet the editors of Country Living Magazine, Seminars & How-to’s, Artisan Demonstrations, Harvest & Gourmet Market, Children’s’ Activities & Fall Festivities. 1-866-500-FAIR or www.stonemountianpark.com for tickets.
Covered Bridge Days Festival- Butts Mill Farm; Off Hwy 27 North of Pine Mountain, Ga. September 17-18. 10:00am-5:00pm. Enjoy the Autumn leaves and great vendors, artist and craftsmen demonstrating their crafts, entertainment and good food along with outdoor activities for all ages in a wonderful farm setting. Demonstrators include quilt makers, basket maker, wood carver, pottery maker, candle maker and jewelry artist. Homemade food will be aplenty along with musical entertainment throughout the weekend. www.buttsmillfarm.com
Indian Festival & Pow-Wow- Antebellum Plantation & Farmyard inside Stone Mountain Park, Ga. November 3-6; Experience Native American culture through dance & drum competitions, music, authentic craft demonstrations, cooking samples and storytelling activities. Learn about primitive skills such as flint-napping, bow making, fire starting, open fire cooking and pottery. Find that one-of-a-kind holiday gift in our artists’ marketplace, where world-renowned Native artists and crafters demonstrate their skills and offer items for purchase. www.stonemountainpark.com
Indian Summer Arts & Crafts Festival- Historic District- Eufaula, Al. October 8-9. Fine arts and handmade crafts, children’s activities, live entertainment and more. Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m. www.eufaulachamber.com.
Ole Chipley Town Fair- Pine Mountain, Ga. September 24. Join the crowd of Pine Mountain and enjoy local crafts, quilting, pottery, metalwork, woodwork, food and entertainment. Spend the day strolling down Pine Mountain’s picturesque streets or shopping in downtown Pine Mountain’s and Chipley Village’s shopping centers, each filled with unique shops and boutiques. You’ll find it all—from antiques to fine art to handcrafted birdhouses and other momentos. www.pinemountain.org
Ossahatchee Indian Festival Pow Wow- Harris Co Soccer Field, Hamilton, Ga. October 15-16. Primitive skills demonstrations, Hoop Dance, Social & Inter-Tribal dances, American Indian food, and arts & crafts. www.ossahatchee.org
Peanut Butter Festival- Brundidge, Al. October 29. 9:00am. A harvest and heritage celebration honoring the town’s proud heritage in the peanut butter industry. The free for all festival features a 5-K Peanut Butter Run, non-stop entertainment, contests, games, exhibits, recipe contest, Peanut Butter Kids Contest and the Nutter Butter Parade and food galore including everything peanut butter. www.piddle.org
Syrup Sopping and Historical Fair- Loachapoka, Al. October 1. 6:00am-4:00pm. Weaving and cloth-making demonstrations, musical entertainment featuring hammered and mountain dulcimers, banjos and guitars, a doctor’s beautiful herb garden and crops garden, bread making, soap making, period pottery, fireplace and outdoor cooking, and other old time crafts. Food includes famous sweet potato biscuits made on site, camp stew, beans, collards, BBQ, and home-made ice cream Tour the two-story 140 year old Trade Center museum, watch the blacksmiths at work, visit the Log Cabin, and the Taylor Whatley agricultural implement collection. www.syrupsopping.org
Spinners 30th Annual “Pumpkin Patch” Arts & Crafts Show- Spinners Park - Prattville, Al. October 22-23. Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm. Exhibitors of original art and crafts from throughout the southeast will display their wares. Food vendors, live entertainment, games, a coloring contest and many other activities for children and youth. Door prizes will be given at intervals during the show. Other events include The Great Pumpkin Race, a 5K/8K Race and a one mile Run/Walk, a motorcycle show, jack-o-lantern contest and more. Free admission and free parking. www.spinnersprattville.com
The Greater Columbus Fair- Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, Ga. Oct 11-16. Celebrate the beginning of autumn in the Chattahoochee Valley. Food, rides, games, pageant and more! www.columbusciviccenter.org
Wiregrass Heritage Festival- Landmark Park, Dothan. October 22. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Learn how peanuts were harvested in the Wiregrass a half-century ago. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of cane grinding, syrup making, butter churning, basket weaving, soap making and other traditional farm activities. Plus, food, music and antique tractors and farm equipment. www.landmarkpark.com.
Church Events
All Saints Fair- Lakeview Baptist Church, Auburn. 1600 East Glenn Avenue. October 30; 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Safe, family fun alternative to trick-or-treating; everyone welcome. Games include train, gladiator joust, gyro, horse and wagon, go fish, soccer kick, ring toss, bowling, inflatables and more! Lots of games, prizes and candy! Tickets children 0 to 12 years old- $3.00 fee includes hot dog supper, games and prizes. Or, $10.00 max per family. Individual Teen- Adult-$1.00 hot dog supper fee. Come dressed up, but please avoid goulish costumes. www.lakeviewbaptist.org
Parkway Baptist Church Fall Festival- 766 E. University Drive, Auburn. October 26. 6:00pm. Free to the community. Come dressed in costume to play carnival games and win prizes, visit the petting zoo, and much more! 887-3782.
Trunk or Treat & Chili Cook-Off- Grace United Methodist Church, Auburn. October 30. 5:00pm. Children and adults are invited to come in costume, and children are invited to visit the decorated car trunks to “trick or trunk.” Adults are invited to prepare and bring your best chili dish to be judged and shared with others, with prizes for the best chili recipes and best costumes to be awarded at the conclusion of supper. 884-7003.
Costume Shopping
Check It Out! 239 North Gay Street, Auburn. 826-0803. www.check-it-outballoons.com
Kids Clothes Connection- Located in the old Harvest Thrift Store on Columbus Parkway, between Salvation Army and Angel’s Antiques (behind Western Sizzlin), right off I-85 at exit 62 in Opelika. Gently used children’s costumes available. www.kidsclothesconnection.com
Party City- Tiger Town, Opelika. Specializing in all things party! Costumes for all ages, accessories, decorations, and more.
Out of Town/ State Fun
Zoo Boo- City of Montgomery Zoo
Oct 13-16, 20-23 & 27-31. A safe alternative to Halloween, ZooBoo provides a fun-filled evening of games, treats, and costumed characters, Enjoy education presentations, and the traditional haunted ride. 6-9 p.m. 334-240-4930. www.montgomeryzoo.com.
1st Tri-City Latino Festival- South Commons, Columbus, Georgia. September 24. 10am-9pm. Live entertainment, Kidz Zone, food vendors, gift vendors and more. Free. www.trifestival.com or www.columbusciviccenter.org
9th Annual Pumpkin Festival- Stone Mountain Park, Ga. September 30-October 30 (Fridays-Sundays). Throughout weekends in October enjoy attractions, entertainment, activities and fall decorations that are fun for all ages. Event highlights include Kids Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt, Family Scavenger Hunt, The Great Pumpkin Puppet Parade, Children’s Costume Contest, Storytelling, Pie Eating Contest, Pumpkin Palooza, & Pumpkin Party Patch. Entrance to the Pumpkin Festival is included in the Adventure Pass. stonemountainpark.com
15th Annual Fall Ramble- Historic Linwood Cemetery, Columbus, Ga. October 27; 5:30pm. An evening walking tour of special gravesites in Historic Linwood Cemetery ending with refreshments. 706-321-8285
20th Annual Halloween Fairyland- Tannehill State Park. October 29. The Tannehill Halloween Festival, a non-scary fun-filled holiday event focused on the campgrounds, annually attracts over 6,000 visitors, most of them children. Begun in 1992, the event features park-sponsored programs during the afternoon and traditional Halloween candy “trick or treat” stops at more than 200 campsites during the evening. Park events include a moon walk, clowns, face painting, pony rides and sand art. A special tradition is the festival’s annual Halloween Festival tee shirt. Campground site decorations and lights are extensive, creative and surreal. www.tannehill.org
26th Annual Tour of Southern Ghosts- Antebellum Plantation, Stone Mountain, Ga. October 13-30 (Thurdays-Sundays). Meet professional storytellers spinning their tales of famous (and not-so-famous) Southern Ghosts along the lantern-lit paths of the Antebellum Plantation grounds- never too frightening and always appropriate for young children. Each night offers a different cast of six storytellers. www.stonemountainpark.com
Annual Halloween Laser Light Show- A special showing of The Wizard of Oz movie, synchronized to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon album. Gayle Planetarium, Montgomery, October 2011. Admission is $6. For more information, call 334-241-4799.
BOO Halloween Party Benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Alabama- B & A Warehouse, Birmingham, Al. October 28. 8:00pm. Live music, ‘Scary’-oke singing, costume contest and more. Open to adults 21 yrs and older. $20 admission. www.boohalloweenparty.com
‘Dracula’ Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Montgomery. Oct 7-30. www asf.net.
Fall Family Fun Days- The Rock Ranch, The Rock, Ga. September 24-November 12. This year, our corn maze is the “50 Years of Space Exploration” maze in cooperation with NASA for a mission called Space Farm 7. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. each Saturday, guests will enjoy themed entertainment plus Train Rides, Hay Rides, a Petting Zoo, Zip Lines, Pony Rides, the Pumpkin Cannon, Tiny Town and much more! www.therockranch.com
Ghosts on the Mountain Spookapalooza DeSoto State Park, October 21-22. Weekend of spooky storytelling & fun events guaranteed to run shivers up and down your spine! Friday & Saturday night both will be spooky nights of storytelling, costumes, treats, & more with storyteller Renee Morrison & her story-tellin’ aunt Jenny Whitman. Saturday night join us in DeSoto’s Improved Campground before the party for ghoulish games & trick or treating through-out the campground. www.alapark.com/events/details.cfm?id=1534
Great Pumpkin Roll- Alexander City, Al. October 29. 3:00-5:00pm. 256-329-9227. www.mainstreetac.org. Free. Bring your own pumpkin or get one at the Farmer’s Market. Rolling begins at the top of Alabama Street at Strand Park.
Harvest Time at Old Alabama Town- Montgomery. October 1-30. Come down to Old Alabama Town as we feature Harvest Time in the 1800’s. Join us for tours of the cotton gin and grist mill, and get a first hand look at farming in the 19th century. Individual self-guided tours offered Monday through Saturday from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Guided tours available by reservation only, for groups of 10 or more. Call 1-888-240-1850 for more information or visit our website at www.oldalabamatown.com.
Haunted History Tours- Old Cahawba, Sturdivant Hall, Old Live Oak Cemetery, Selma, Al. October 21-22. 5-10:30 p.m. On Friday night join Central Alabama Paranormal Investigation (a local paranormal team) on an investigation of Old Cahawba. The past will come back to haunt you as we tour magnificent antebellum Sturdivant Hall and some “spirited” characters of Old Live Oak Cemetery. www.selmaalabama.com.
Pioneer Days- Troy, Al. October 7-8, 9:00am-5:00pm. 334-566-3597. www.pioneer-museum.org. Pioneer Museum of Alabama—Horse and wagon rides, trips on the Pioneer Express, Native American camps with demonstrations of candlemaking, spinning, weaving, quiltmaking, blacksmithing, drum, dance, etc. Friday is School Day. (334) 566-3597.
Sea Ghosts: Tours of Haunted Port Columbus- Port Columbus Civil War Naval Museum. October 27. Reservations only! Port Columbus has now scheduled ghost tours based on findings of the Alabama Paranormal Research Team (APRT) and Effigy Paranormal once monthly at the museum. Tour guides will lead candlelight tours highlighting experiences during the investigations and the tales of the more chilling artifacts throughout the museum. For tickets www.portcolumbus.org or 706-327-9798.
‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’- Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. October 11-30. Recommended for 2nd-8th Grades, or 6-12 yrs. www.bct123.org; General admission pricing, Adult, $10; Child, $8.
The Pumpkin Patch Express- Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Calera, Al. October1-30; Every Saturday and Sunday. Train boards and departs Saturdays 10:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm; and Sundays 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Enjoy an autumn train ride aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express that lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours, including our time at the Pumpkin Patch. At the Pumpkin Patch, riders will deboard to enjoy a hayride, jumpstation, coloring, and temporary tatoos (all activities are included in the price of your ticket). Snacks and soft drinks are available for purchase. Pick the perfect pumpkin from the patch for an additional fee. For more info, call (205) 668-3435. Reservations recommended. www.hodrrm.org.
