Area ready for howling Halloween fun

The pumpkins are being carved and children and adults are preparing their scary, cute, unusual and funny costumes for a night of frights and fun throughout the area this weekend.

From 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday, the Elkins Randolph County Family YMCA will host its Halloween Carnival in the Rotary Room and a variety of Elkins downtown merchants will greet trick-or-treaters with candy at their stores. Games, face painting and a craft activity will be available. Candy and prizes will be awarded during the Halloween Carnival.

Dress in your best costume and break out your dance moves at the Halloween costume dance Friday at 8 p.m. at the Hitchin' Post. Tickets purchased in advance are $5 for singles and $8 for couples. All tickets will be $5 per person at the door. Refreshments and 50/50 tickets will be sold during the event. To buy tickets in advance, call 304-704-7980 or 304-997-9677. Proceeds from the dance benefit the Randolph Technical Center for its practical nursing program.

Adults can also kick up their heels and show off their costumes at the Elkins Fraternal Order of Eagles Friday beginning at 7 p.m. The dance, featuring DJ Frank, is from 9 p.m. until midnight.

The Augusta Fiddler's Reunion will host a costume party Friday beginning at 8 p.m. in the Pit at Davis & Elkins College.

The Jabberwock in downtown Elkins will host 80's Enough for it halloween costume dance starting at 10 p.m. on Friday. There will be a $5 cover charge with costume and $7 without costume.

On Saturday, Randolph County children may trick-or-treat at various times in municipalities across the county: Elkins, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Coalton, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Beverly, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Mill Creek, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Huttonsville, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Halloween at Graceland will be celebrated with a "Bloody Banquet" Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Costumes are welcomed. Reservations may be made by calling 304-637-1600.

D&E College is presenting the "Haunted Boiler House" Saturday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to Elkins youth up to age 15. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Some Randolph County churches are offering an alternative to Halloween celebrations.

The Elkins Church of God Family Worship Center at 14th Street and Taylor Avenue will host the 17th annual Hallelujah Harvest block party Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Children as old as 15 may participate and dress "creatively," however, face masks are not permitted. There is no charge for games, food or entry to the event. For more information, call 304-636-6200.

A "Trunk-n-Treat" will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the New Life Fellowship church in Glenmore. "In the Mix" will perform a puppet/drama ministry for children 12 and younger.

For the adults, local bars are partying for the occasion on Saturday. At Beander's, DJ Boo and Roger will spin tunes from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to those who come in costume. Fudlee's will celebrate with a band, food and costumes from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Bella's at Bowden will host a costume contest with drink specials and live entertainment from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. On Thursday, Bella's is sponsoring a pumpkin carving contest at 7 p.m. There is no charge for the contest and children are welcome to attend the event.

Upshur County trick-or-treaters may knock on doors Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and within the Buckhannon city limits from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. After trick-or-treat ends, the Buckhannon Moose Lodge 598 will host its annual Halloween party for children at the Jawbone Park Pavilion from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. During the party there will be a costume contest and door prizes awarded. Age divisions for the costume contest are 2 and younger; 3 to 4; 5 to 6; 7 to 8; 9 to 10; 11 to 12 and 13 and older.

Several activities are scheduled for the kids in Barbour County to enjoy this Halloween.

In Philippi, trick or treat will take place Saturday from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Immediately after trick or treat, children are asked to meet at the Rite Aid parking lot to have their costumes judged. Following the costume judging, a Halloween parade will take place from the Rite Aid lot to the Courthouse Square. Costume contest winners will then be announced at the gazebo.

The Philippi recreation director will be at the Courthouse Square to hand out tattoos for the children and Philippi Main Street will hand out a healthful treat to coincide with its Healthy Families Initiative.

Spooky music will fill the air and participating businesses will be handing out treats to ensure a safe trick or treat for area youth. Look for the "Lurch" sign to know who will be handing out candy. Several businesses have committed to handing out treats for area youth including Bill Kelley Racing, Sheetz, Lil Moe's Restaurant, Smokey Ray's Restaurant, Philippi Public Library, Fox's Pizza, Rite Aid and Subway.

In Belington, trick or treat will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Belington Convention and Visitors Bureau will then host its annual costume contest and refreshments above City Hall from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Later, The Belington ON TRAC organization will host DJ music, a bonfire and refreshments behind Belington Town Square Building.

In Junior, trick or treat will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Immediately following, the Junior Lions Club and New Covenant Church will host a party in the parking lot of Town Hall.

Little ghosts and goblins in Tucker County may trick or treat Saturday in Parsons, Davis and Thomas from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

On Friday, Timberline Four Seasons Resort's Fireside Grill and Timber's Pub will host a dance party featuring DJ Dub. Seafood specialties will be served by the Fireside Grill. Saturday, the resort will celebrate Halloween with its traditional party. Early in the evening, the restaurant will feature a baby back barbecue rib special and a complete menu. At 9 p.m. Saturday, the party continues with decorations, prizes, dancing, food, beverages, music, karaoke and vocal renditions by vocalist and song stylist Cin. For more information, visit www.timberlineresort.com.

Fright is on the agenda for The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston. "The Asylum" haunted house is open Wednesday and Thursday from dark until 10 p.m.

The facility will be closed Friday for a live broadcast of the Travel Channel's "Ghost Adventures." The haunted house will re-open for tours Saturday from dark until 1 a.m.

Also on Saturday at The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is the Witches Ball from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

For more information about the events at the historic hospital, visit www.trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com.

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