Halloween happenings haunt region now through Saturday

You’ve bought your costumes, loaded the bowls with candy, and perhaps you have begun to make preparations for a small gathering of friends and family for a little Halloween fun. Now all you need is a list of gatherings to complete what is promising to be a busy All Hallows Eve weekend.

Aside from the many activities this weekend (see the list below) you might also be served well with a notice that once again Elizabeth City’s downtown neighborhood will be cordoned off for the safety and convenience of trick-or-treaters.

According to a letter from City Manager Rick Olson, shared with The Daily Advance, Main Street from Dyer Street to Pritchard Street will be closed to automobile traffic between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Also closed will be streets connecting to Main Street: Harney, Panama, Selden and Holly, all for one block. Ashe Street will also be closed for one block north and south of Main Street while through traffic will be open on both Griffin and Peresse Streets.

It’s worth noting that many residents along Main Street take Halloween pretty seriously and manage some great decorations. Not to be out done, of course, is Ricky Boyd and his “coffin rides.”

Also downtown this year will be Halloween at the Elizabeth City Police Department for kids up to 12 years old. That event happens from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The rest of the events, beginning today and running through Saturday are listed below:

HALLOWEEN EVENTS

TODAY

Fright Nights

Old Elizabeth City Middle School, haunted house, $8 per person, $15 fastpass, Thursday through Saturday from 7-11 p.m.

Mysteries and Legends

Museum of the Albemarle, haunted stories and legends of the region, all ages welcome, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Contact: 335-1453

Free COA Haunted House

Haunted tours 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in COA community auditorium. Free to public. Concessions available.

Contact: 252-455-1360

FRIDAY

Planetarium Halloween series

ECSU Planetarium, various shows will be featured beginning at 5 p.m., Moon Witch, two laser light shows, October Skies, and The Halloween Show, all shows are free, reservations for groups are needed, October 30-31.

Contact: 335-3759

Haunted Evening

Newbold-White House, fun family event featuring pirates, Civil War soldiers, colonial settlers, witches, and more, $3 per person, goodies served to children free of charge, 6-8:30 p.m.

Destination Downtown Spooltacular

South Broad St., Edenton, trick or treat, 5:30 -6:30 p.m.

Contact: 482-2962 or www.mainstreetedenton.com

SATURDAY

Haunted Albemarle

Museum of the Albemarle, Costumed interpreters of past local residents such as Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, a civil war soldier, a suffragette, and more, self guided map tour of the cemetery to follow; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Contact: 335-1453

Halloween costume party

Level’s Downtown, 400 E. Colonial Ave., with DJ Baby Drew and special guest, 10 p.m.

Contact: 338-5288

Pumpkin Patch

Wrangler Farms, Grandy, horse drawn hayrides to the pumpkin patch, pony rides, fall fest, games, concessions, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Contact: 491-5090

Halloween bash and costume party

Elizabeth City Moose Lodge, Albemarle Health Emergency Department is hosting, $30 per person, $50 per couple, DJ, refreshments, cash bar, $500 prize for best costume, 9 p.m. to midnight

Contact: 384-4069

Horse drawn hay rides

North River Campground, Camden, $2 per person, free refreshments offered, 3-5 p.m.

Contact: 336-4414

Harvest Festival

Moyock United Methodist Church, free food, hayrides, moonwalk, games, candy, snacks, crafts, cupcake walk, 6-8:30 p.m.

Fun Festival

Up River Friends, Belvidere, free for families with children 11 and under, games, hayrides, storytelling, face painting, food, and prizes, 3-5 p.m.

Contact: 297-2442

Childrens’ Halloween party

American Legion Post 288, Coinjock, haunted house, costume contest, games, treats, 5-7 p.m.

Contact: 232-8723

Shrine costume party and dance

Elizabeth City Shrine Club, childrens’ costume party from 3-6 p.m. and an adult costume party and dance with DJ Robbie Sullivan from 8 p.m. to midnight, $5 at the door

Halloween Carnival

Southgate Mall, carnival hours are 2-4 p.m. with trick or treating beginning at 4 p.m.

Contact: 338-2848

Harvest Festival

First Church of the Nazarene, hay rides, games, food, 4 p.m.