With Halloween weekend approaching, safety is as important a concern as having fun.
By following these few simple guidelines from local police and sheriff’s offices, everyone can have a good time:
• Pay attention while driving. Dusk can often play tricks on one’s eyes, but with excited children darting between parked cars or across driveways, possibly in dark costumes, Beggar’s Night can make it an even more dangerous time.
• Use common sense when choosing costumes. From color choices to length and fit, remember the wearer will likely be out walking after dark. Use reflective tape to accentuate dark costumes. Make sure masks have proper holes for vision and breathing or, better yet, use face make-up instead. Always pay attention to allergens and materials used for costuming, being certain it is fire-retardant. It is more important that shoes be comfortable for walking than appropriate for the costume. Use creativity when accessorizing, making flexible materials such as cardboard work for swords, pitch forks and other weapons.
• Know your neighborhood. Plan a trick-or-treating route after checking the sex offender registry at www.ncdoj.gov to know what places to avoid. Make sure someone responsible stays with children under 12 and everyone knows the expected route. Stick to sidewalks and driveways since lawns can have hard-to-see tripping hazards and stay out of the street. Only stop at houses that are well lit and never enter a stranger’s house.
• Stay informed. In addition to knowing the planned route, parents should make sure they know all of their children’s companions for the evening. Also make sure younger children know their phone number and how to call 911, even without their own cell phone. Pinning contact information to the inside of their costume, where it can’t be seen by strangers is a good idea.
Today-Oct. 28
• Now through 3:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Submissions accepted for Book Character Pumpkin Decorating Contest at Diana’s Books and More. Winners will be announced Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. There will be four age groups with the winner of each category receiving a $10 gift certificate. For more information, contact Diana’s Books and More at 336-835-3142.
• 5:30 p.m., Forbush Baptist Church trunk-or-treat will be held.
Oct. 29
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church will hold a port-a-pit chicken dinner at the Elkin Rescue Squad building on North Bridge Street in Elkin. Cost is $9 per plate.
• 6 to 10 p.m., the Elkin Middle School Beta Club will host the Garden of Terror the Elkin Antiques Mall on South Bridge Street near the railroad tracks. The cost to enter will be canned food or donation for the Tri-County Christian Crisis Ministry with a free miniature golf for those who finish the Garden. For more information, call 336-526-3000 and ask for Ricky.
• 7 p.m. to midnight, East Wilkes High School will host “Haunted School House.” Tickets are $5 for kids ages birth to 8 years and features games, candy and prizes in a non-scary area. A scare ticket of $8 is for ages first grade and up, and a very scary “death” ticket of $10 is for grades sixth and up. Concessions will be available. The event is sponsored by various clubs at the school, there is no advanced ticket sales. For more details, contact Travis Gentry, Student Council adviser, at 336-816-8110 or call the school.
• 9 p.m.to midnight, Fear the Reaper Costume Party at The Meeting Place on North Bridge Street, Elkin. $25 tickets in advance. For tickets, email kbushong2@gmail.com. Musical guest is Mediocre Bad Guys, and food provided by 13 Bones. Food and beverage included with ticket purchase. There will be a costume contest. The event is for adults 21 and older only. Email early for reserved spot at the party.
Oct. 30
• 3 p.m., Dog Costume Contest will be sponsored by Rhythm on Main at Elkin Municipal Park. Entry fee is $10 for the costume contest, $5 for photogenic contest. All dogs need to be on a leash. Registration is at 3 p.m., dog show at 3:30 p.m.
• 5 to 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Elkin is having a Halloween Festival. Some of the activities will be trunk-or-treat, face painting, pumpkin painting, photo booth, corn hole, haunted bus, and inflatables.
• 4 to 7 p.m., Union Cross Friends Meeting of Yadkinville will hold its fall festival with hayrides, chicken stew, games, etc. Trunk-or-treat begins at 6 p.m. All offerings are free.
Oct. 31
• 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., judging for Book Character Pumpkin Decorating Contest at Diane’s Bookstore and More. Winners will be announced at 8 p.m.
• 3 to 5 p.m., Yadkinville annual Downtown Halloween Celebration will be in the plaza at the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center. Businesses and agencies will be giving out treat bags. Other area businesses in the downtown area, marked with orange balloons at their doors, also will be giving out treats on Monday evening.
• 4 to 6 p.m., Boonville Boo Bash sponsored by the Boonville Business and Downtown Development Association will be a family-oriented trick or treating at the downtown businesses. Green balloons will indicate if a business is participating. There will also be games, face painting, a bouncy house, a cake walk, and more in the town square. Proceeds from the event will be reinvested back into the community. For more information, call Debbie Cooper at 336-250-7134.
• 5 p.m., Jot-Um Down Fire Department trunk-or-treat will be held.
• 5:30 p.m. until, Grassy Creek United Methodist Church will host is annual trunk-or-treat, with trick-or-treating, flame-grilled hot dogs with all the fixings including homemade chili for adults and children.
• 5:30 p.m., Mount Pleasant Baptist trunk-or-treat will be held.
• 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jonesville First United Methodist Church trunk-or-treat will be held.
• 6 to 8 p.m., trick or treat on Main Street, Elkin, from the downtown’s east end of Main Street towards the historic neighborhood on West Main. Lots of stores will stay open to hand out goodies. This year those who wish to do a trunk-or-treat along Main Street can decorate their spook mobile and head down to Main Street. Those wishing to offer treats may park in front of any shop on Main Street that is not open to hand out treats. Churches or any other organizations are welcome to join in the fun for a safe, family-friendly night in downtown. Any questions, call Will Shover at 336-244-8050.
• 6 to 10 p.m., West Elkin Baptist Church will hold its fall festival featuring games and treats.
• 6 p.m., Arlington First Baptist Church trunk-or-treat will be held.
• 6 to 8 p.m., Mineral Springs Baptist Church trunk-or-treat will be held, offering hot dogs and drinks to the trick-or-treaters.
• 6 p.m., Gum Orchard Baptist Church trunk-or-treat will be held.
• 9 p.m., Elkin Ghost Tour starting at Diana’s Books and More. The $8 fee to participate includes the tour and the participant’s choice of drink at the coffee shop at Diana’s Book and More. For an additional $2, participants get a choice of seasonal lanterns helpful for walking on uneven ground. For more information, contact Diana’s Books and More at 336-835-3142.
Beanie Taylor can be reached at 336-258-4058 or on Twitter @TBeanieTaylor.
Look for fall decorations in downtown Elkin.
http://elkintribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_DSC09241.jpg
Look for fall decorations in downtown Elkin.
Beanie Taylor | The Tribune
By Beanie Taylor
beanietaylor@civitasmedia.com