From haunted hay rides, festivals and trick-or-treating to literary events and feeding the poor, the area has no shortage of events for the fall.
The Columbus Boys and Girls Club is opening its fall festival to the community this year. In the past, the festival was for members of the club only.
This year, hosted by the club’s Torch Club and Smart Girls club, the Boys and Girls Club is opening its doors to the public for the event.
With jumpers, a cake walk, scavenger hunt, concessions and more, this year’s festival promises something for the whole family, on Oct. 30, from 4-8 p.m.
“Right now, we’re expecting a good crowd. We normally average about 150 kids (in the after-school program), so we’re expecting at least that many,” said Brittany Houston, membership administrator for the club.
“I’m just excited that we’re able to have a fall festival where we can host the community and let them know that we are there to serve the community,” said Mary Moore, board president for the local club.
The event is a fundraiser for Torch Club and Smart Girls club outreach projects, and the clubs will donate part of the proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club.
The Torch Club is a club for teenage boys and girls, with a focus on teaching responsibility and “trying to get them more involved in the community,” Houston explained.
“Smart Girls is an abstinence program geared toward girls from age 10-18,” she added.
Both clubs are raising money to fund educational field trips and community service projects, such as buying Christmas gifts for nursing-home patients.
“We try to help build up their self-esteem and to give back, because when we give to the community, the community gives to us,” Moore said.
The Boys and Girls Club offers after-school and character-building programs, arts and crafts, reading and computer classes, as well as sports leagues. Call 662-244-7090 for more information.
The Warehouse Dance Company in West Point, 633 W. Broad St., is bringing together its dancers from around the Golden Triangle for a Halloween Carnival. The event, featuring a buffet, silent auction, dance revue, carnival games and prizes, is Saturday Oct. 30 from 6-9 p.m.; admission is $3. Parents’ Night Out lock-in will start at the same location at 8 p.m. The lock-in ends at 9 a.m. on Sunday and is $15 per family. Call 662-494-3521 or visit www.warehousedancecompany.com for more information.
In Starkville, the second Pumpkinpalooza is next Friday, from 6-8 p.m. on Main Street in downtown. The free event will feature trick-or-treating, a pumpkin-painting station, face painting, jumpers and Mississippi State University pep rally. After Pumpkinpalooza, the Starkville Community Market will host an outdoor movie at 8:30 p.m. at the corner of Jackson and Lampkin Streets. Call 662-323-3322 for more information.
Check out the following other fast-approaching fall events:
TODAY
· MSU HOMECOMING PARADE: Parade at 5 p.m. travels down University Drive, Starkville; followed by a pep rally at the Junction at 5:30 p.m. and Viva StarkVegas Family Frenzy at the Amphitheater from 6-9 p.m.
TODAY AND SATURDAY
· EUDORA WELTY SYMPOSIUM: Noted authors share readings and insight at this free symposium at Mississippi University for Women. See schedule at www.muw.edu/welty, or call 662-329-7386.
GHOSTS AND LEGENDS: Take a spirited tour through Columbus’ past. Tours depart Welcome Center at intervals from 6-9 p.m.; Tickets (if still available), $12 at the Welcome Center, 300 Main St. Info: 800-920-3533.
SATURDAY
· HALLOWEEN BASH: The Princess Theater hosts the Celestial Bounce to Planet Halloween with the Hooded Deer, PYROglyphics and DJ Glotron, jumpers and more. Doors open at 9 p.m.; $5 ($8 after 11 p.m.)
MONDAY
· HALLOWEEN EGG HUNT: The Starkville Sportsplex will host this event at 5 p.m. on the softball fields for age groups 2-4 and 5-8. Bring a basket.
OCT. 27-31
· HALLOWEEN FAIR: Carnival rides, costume contests, family fun on the grounds of Mossy Oak on Highway 45 Alternate.
OCT. 29
· HALLOWEEN OPEN MIC: Get “in the spirit” at Columbus Arts Council’s “Put a Spell on You” Open Mic Night at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., 7:30 p.m. $10 in advance at the RAC: $12 at the door. Info: 662-328-2787.
PUMPKINPALOOZA: From 6-9 p.m. in downtown Starkville, trick or treating with merchants, face painting, pumpkin patch, inflatables and a Bulldog pep rally. Outdoor movie at 8:30 p.m. at the Community Market site at Lampkin and Jackson Streets. Info: 662-323-3322.
OCT. 29-30
· HAUNTED HAY RIDE, from 7 p.m-until at Mad Mud Trails and More, 1256 Old Mayhew Road. Jumpers and food vendors. Age 11 & up: $10, or $15 for weekend; 10 & under: $5, or $10 for weekend. Take the GTRA exit and follow signs. Anyone under 18 must have parents OR have a signed and notarized waiver, which can be found on the Facebook page madmudtrailsandmore. Info: 662-251-9586.
OCT. 30
· FALL CARNIVAL: Tabernacle CME Church of Ethelsville’s Young Adult Ministry host a carnival from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Food and fun. Info: 662-364-0103.
HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL: Halloween Carnival by Warehouse Dance Co., 633 W. Broad St., West Point. 6-9 p.m.; $3 admission. Lock-in follows; $15 per family. Info: [email protected].
GHOSTLY GALLIVANT: Adults 21-plus in costume can join a procession visiting downtown Columbus establishments. Meet at J.Broussard’s, 210 Fifth St. S., 6 p.m. Info: Chris Hannon, [email protected].
OCT. 31
· TRUNK OR TREAT: Wesley United Methodist Church, 511 Airline Road, hosts Trunk or Treat. Free admission, or bring a canned good for charity. 6 p.m. hamburgers and hot dogs; 6:45 trunk or treat; 7 p.m. costume contest. Info: 662-328-8644.
NOV. 4-7
· DECORATIVE ARTS AND PRESERVATION FORUM, ANTIQUES SHOW & SALE: Antique show, floral design and gardening seminars, curator talks, home tours, double decker bus rides and more are part of this annual event at Trotter Convention Center. Info: www.columbus-ms.org, 800-920-3533.
NOV. 5
· TOPS IN BLUE: The U.S. Air Force’s premier entertainment showcase performs at Rent Auditorium, Mississippi University for Women campus, 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. for those with valid military ID; at 6 p.m. for the general public.
NOV. 5-7
· DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE: A preview of holiday merchandise at participating downtown merchants. Specials and promotions throughout the weekend. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Info: Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
NOV. 6
· GIANT POSSUM TOWN YARD SALE: Community-wide yard sale at the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market, Second Avenue and Second Street North, Columbus, from 7 a.m.-noon. Food available for purchase. Info: Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
· VETERANS DAY PARADE: Columbus’ Veterans Day Parade with CAFB troops, a flyover, fire trucks, motorcycles and more begins at 10 a.m. at Municipal Complex on Main Street and proceeds to the Lowndes County Courthouse. A wreath-laying ceremony is at 11 a.m. State Sen. Terry Brown is the scheduled speaker.
· EMPTY BOWLS: For a $10 donation at this event coordinated by Mississippi University for Women Department of Art and Columbus Brick Co., get a delicious bowl of soup, and keep the bowl, made by area residents and students. Hours are from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Shops at Brickerton on Military Road in Columbus. Info: Alisa Holen, [email protected].
· KAPPA PI ART AUCTION: This fundraiser is from 6-9 p.m. in the Eugenia Summer Gallery in the MUW Art and Design Building on campus. Donations of artwork accepted through the end of October. Info: MUW Art Department 662-329-7341.
· SAAC GALA: Starkville Area Arts Council Gala includes gourmet dinner, music by Swing Shift and an auction; 6-11 p.m. at the Hunter Henry Center, MSU campus. Info: 662-324-3080.
NOV. 7
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