It’s almost Halloween… ***UPDATED with more pictures of dogs in silly costumes***

• Howl-O-Ween kicks off at the WNC Nature Center (75 Gashes Creek Rd., Asheville, 298-5600) this Saturday, Oct. 23, 1-8 p.m.

Says the Nature Center, “Come visit our 43-acres during the cool of the evening.  Our creatures of the darkness will be on display in the Creepy Crawler Cabin along with some fabulously large pythons, boas and lizards with the Southern Appalachian Herpetological Society members! The club will be holding a raffle for herpetological items with proceeds going to the WNCNC’s Veterinarian Clinic. Learn about skulls, bats, nocturnal creatures and our native wildlife through programs and enrichment presentations on the hour starting at 1 p.m.

“We will enhance your visit with our arts & crafts, hot dogs, hot cider and chocolate, baked goods, and treats for the kids, as well as two performances by the Mountain Marionettes at 6 and 6:40 p.m.

“Our costume contest for all ages will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the barn, so come dressed for the occasion!” Admission is $8 adults/$6 city residents/$7 seniors/$5 senior city residents/$4 kids ages 3-15/free for kids age 2 and younger.

• Dessert first! It’s Los Dias de los Muertos at Short Street Cakes (225 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 505-4822). According to a Facebook invitation, “Its that time of year again- time for harvesting, putting by, and honoring the past, and the things and people that have passed from our lives. Please join us for the weekend of Day of the Dead, also Halloween Weekend, for sugar skulls, altar making, and spooky cupcakes.

“We will be selling blank sugar skulls at the Cake Shop to benefit Defensa Comunitaria, a local immigrants rights group, and decorating an altar to loved ones who have passed. Traditionally, ofrendas for the altar include pictures and mementos of loved ones, treats that they enjoyed, candles, marigolds, bread, and sugar skulls.

“We will also have a decoration station for the skulls.” The event begins Friday, Oct. 29; the finished altar will join the altar at Mayfel’s (22 College St., Asheville, 252-8840) on Day of the Dead — Monday, Nov. 1.

• Something for your furry friends: Blaze-N-Skyy (30 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, 253-2850) announces this year’s Halloween Dog Festival, a “Spooky, Costumed Pooches Haunt Wall Street to Raise Funds for Asheville Humane Society.”

The festivities go from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30 on Wall St., downtown Asheville. Costume contests (large dog, small dog, best ensemble, best trick), begin at 1 p.m. The event also includes Asheville Humane Society pet adoptions, raffles and games, pet photography, animal-friendly marketplace and food and beverage vendors. Admission is free, contests are $5 per dog per contest.

Also, Spellbound Children’s Bookshop (19 Wall St., Asheville, 252-2228) will have dog-themed storytime. (The bookstore holds Halloween story time on Sunday, Oct. 31, 3-4 p.m.)

• “There will be a few unusual creatures visiting City Lights Bookstore (3 E Jackson St., Sylva, 586-9499) on Saturday, Oct. 30,” says a press release. “Come listen and be entertained by Whimzik’s mask and music Halloween story time. All ages welcome so join us during your ‘Treat Street’ hike at 3 p.m. for a splendid spooky time.”

• Bluegrass faves Sons of Ralph provide the soundtrack for the Jack of the Wood (95 Patton Ave., Asheville, 252-5445) Halloween party. The costume contest gets started around 11 p.m., with a $200 prize for first place, $125 for second place and $75 for third.

• The Zombie Stomp takes place at The Admiral (400 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 252-2541) at 11 p.m. According to a Facebook invite, “Once again, Greg ‘Cartwrong’ and the Abominable Dr. Filth will be spinning sinister sounds for your weekend Halloween revels.

“Last year’s Saturday Night ADMIRAL Halloween DJ Party was completely off the hook – crazed dancing, great costumes and wild Halloween-centric rock and soul from the last 50 years of monster mashing.

“I know there’s a lot to do on the 30th, but make sure to make the Admiral part of your midnight rambles.”

• And, finally, on Halloween night (that’s Sunday, Oct. 31) The Archrivals hold a Halloween Bash at Barley’s (42 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 255-0504). 9 p.m. “Oh Yeah! It’s on like Barnum and Bailey’s! So don’t say maybe…” says the Archrival. One has to wonder, since the guy wears a costume year round, what’s he going to wear for Halloween?

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

One thought on “It’s almost Halloween… ***UPDATED with more pictures of dogs in silly costumes***

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.