Fall Fun Archives - KS Mitchell

Awesome October: Halloween Week Fun

How can it possibly be the last week of October? The leaves are in their full glory now, Halloween is this Saturday, and it’s time for us to celebrate this last fun-filled week in Awesome October.

**Disclosure: I’m an ambassador for the Jones Center for Families this year and this post includes two awesome activities at the center. As an ambassador, I receive compensation for my post.**

How can it possibly be the last week of October? The leaves are in their full glory now, Halloween is this Saturday, and it’s time for us to celebrate this last week in Awesome October. This week is full of fun – spooky stories, plays, Halloween haunts and, of course, trick-or-treating.

Wednesday, October 28th

Spooky Stories at the Fayetteville Public Library – 6 pm

Susan Young with the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History will share fun and spooky folklore in her talk ‘Mysterious Ozark Critters.’ Learn the spirited stories behind fabulous creatures from Ozark folklore including the Snawfus, the Galoopus, and the Whangdoodle.

Streetfest at the Jones Center – 6-8 pm

A free event for families where kids can dress up in costumes, play games and win prizes. The Jones Center, Mosaic NWA and Camp War Eagle will host the festival. It’s in the JTL plaza on the east side of the Jones Center, or inside the food court if it rains.

Thursday, October 29th – Dracula at Trike Theater

A retelling of Bram Stoker’s classic for kids. Shows start at 6:30 every night from Oct. 29th – Nov. 1st. Visit triketheatre.org for tickets and information.

Friday, October 30th (Note that many of the downtown celebrations are on this date.)

Trick or Treat on the Square – Downtown Fayetteville – 3-5 pm.

This annual event features carnival games, face painting and candy as children trick-or-treat the downtown business in Fayetteville.

Downtown Trick-or-Treat – Siloam Springs – 3:30-5:30 pm.

Downtown merchants welcome the community with candy, treats, and prizes in downtown Siloam Springs. Wear your costumes!

The Goblin Parade – Downtown Rogers – 3:30 pm

Children dress in costumes and meet downtown to parade through the downtown business district and trick-or-treat the shop owners. Line up in Frisco Park.

The 1st Annual Treats at the Track – The A&M Railroad Depot (305 E. Emma, downtown Springdale) 6:30-9:30 pm.

I’ve been looking forward to this one! This fundraiser for House of Hope Rescue Mission promises to be all kinds of fun. Trick or treat on the train, play carnival games, take a hay ride and more. Entry is $5 (kids 2 and under are free). Find out more here.

The Addams Family at Arkansas Public Theater

Beginning October 30th, Arkansas Public Theater in Rogers will run The Addams Family. The play features a family dinner when grownup Wednesday Addams brings her normal boyfriend home for dinner. Check www.ArkansasPublicTheatre.org for ticket information and all show dates and times.

Spider’s Web at Arts Center of the Ozarks October 30th-31st

A dark comedy by Agatha Christie with plenty of murder and mystery. Spend an evening at the theater trying to deduce the murderer! See www.acozarks.org for show information and to purchase tickets.

Halloween Monster Dash 5k run/walk and costume contest – Downtown Fayetteville – Friday afternoon/evening.

Runners dress up for this untimed 5k and collect candy along the way. The race features a costume contest with multiple categories – 2 person, 3 person, 4 person and owner/pet costumes. Register at halloweenmonsterdash.com

Saturday, October 31st – HALLOWEEN

Halloween on Ice at the Jones Center for Families – 12-3pm

What’s better than dressing up in your Halloween costume? Dressing up and ice skating, of course! The Jones Center will host this event for kids to skate, play games, trick or treat and win prizes. $3 per person. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

University of Arkansas Homecoming: Razorbacks vs. UT-Martin – 3 pm

Wear your Razorback gear, costume, or both and join the Hogs for a Halloween Homecoming. Purchase tickets at www.arkansasrazorbacks.com.

Ozark Corn Maze

It’s the last weekend to enjoy the maze, corn cannons, petting zoo and pony rides. The maze is open Friday 5-10 pm, Sat 10 am-10 pm and Sun 1-6 pm. Visit ozarkcornmaze.com for all the information.

Ominous Haunted House – Bentonville

For those who want a traditional scare, Ominous Haunted House is open October 30th-31st 7 pm-12 am. More information at www.ominoushaunt.com

Sunday, November 1st

Zombie Crawl and Day of the Dead Parade – Eureka Springs – 5 pm

Eureka Springs will host its 4th annual Zombie Crawl & Day of the Dead Parade on Sunday, November 1st. Anyone can participate in the parade, which features funeral hearses, Halloween floats, and of course, zombies. Zombie participants are asked to bring two (or more) cans of food to benefit the Flint Street Food Bank. Check out eurekaspringszombiecrawl.com for more information on how to participate.

Holiday Open House – Downtown Siloam Springs – 1-5 pm.

It seems too early to start thinking about the holiday season when we’re enjoying October so much, but for those of you who love the Christmas season and are ready to kick it off, Siloam Springs is hosting their annual Holiday Open House from 1-5pm. Refreshments, door prizes, and the first look at their holiday merchandise!

Enjoy this last beautiful week of Awesome October events!

Awesome October Continues: 3 Fall Fun Events Happening in NWA this Weekend

Here we are in our second week of #awesomeOctober. I wanted to feature three cool things happening around Northwest Arkansas this week because October only comes around once a year! Well, technically thirty-one days a year, but those days go so fast.

1) Take a Ghost Walk

If you’re not into haunted houses (like me), but you still want to get out for a spooky tour, Rogers Historical Museum is holding Ghost Walks starting this week. The museum began the walks in 2013 to connect with local residents and entertain them with true stories from Benton County’s early history.

The Ghost Walks begin with a guide dressed in turn of the century clothing. The tour will include eight stops in downtown Rogers with a story of murder, mayhem or mischief for each stop. Walkers will also enjoy how scenic and active the downtown area is, especially decorated for fall and Halloween.

The Ghost Walks will be held October 15th and 16th this week, and October 22nd-24th. They’ll last one hour and cost $5. Tickets can be reserved at the Rogers Historical Museum.

2) Get Crafty

It’s craft fair weekend in Northwest Arkansas. If you love homemade crafts, handcrafted woodwork, hand-sewn clothing and anything else made by hand, this is your weekend. There are multiple craft fairs happening around Northwest Arkansas. Here are a few to consider.

War Eagle Craft Fair – Set on the beautiful lawn and fields of War Eagle Mill, this is the most scenic of the fairs. War Eagle will have four full days of crafts beginning Thursday, October 15th. It’s so much fun to wander through the tents and vendor booths. As a non-crafter, I’m always amazed at some of the handiwork. You can also cross the one lane bridge, watch the mill’s water wheel spin, and head inside the mill to their gift shop and eat a meal at the Bean Palace restaurant (which is rumored to be haunted).

Ozark Regional Craft Show – If you’d prefer not to travel out to War Eagle, the regional craft show offers an indoor option in three different locations. Opening Friday, you can visit the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale, the John Q Hammons Center – Embassy Suites in Rogers and the Washington County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville. If you’re really crafty, you can hit all three.

Rodeo of the Ozarks Craft Fair – The Rodeo of the Ozarks in Springdale is holding its first craft fair this year October 15th-17th. Take the opportunity to check out the rodeo grounds and visit the booths of over forty local craftsmen and women.

3) Dancing in the Streets

Saturday, October 17th, downtown Springdale will be transformed with live music, dancing, food vendors and more for the 3rd annual ArkanSalsa, an event organized by local non-profit OneCommunity to raise money for scholarships and bring the community together in one place for food, fun and celebrating the rich diversity of Northwest Arkansas. There is an event for everyone at ArkanSalsa, including a 5k run and one mile family walk, a car show, a parade, food booths and street dancing. On Sunday, October 18th, ArkanSalsa continues on the A&M Railroad. You can purchase tickets for a 3 hour ride from Springdale to Winslow and enjoy lunch and music on the train. (Check out the NWA Deal Piggy on the ArkanSalsa Train ride) Find out more at the ArkanSalsa Facebook page.

What are you planning for another awesome October weekend?

Awesome October

I recently created a list of things my sisters and I want to do in October to take full advantage of this month. I thought you all might like to share in that list. Note that this list doesn’t encompass all the awesome events happening in Northwest Arkansas this month but the ones I’m especially interested in.

October is a month I look forward to all year long. With cool, sunny days and crisp, flannel perfect nights, and beautiful fall foliage, it’s a great time to be out and about. Throw in fall festivals, sports and Halloween, and October easily vies for the best month of the year.

I hope you find something awesome to do in October and enjoy the fullness of fall as much as I do!