Fayetteville kicking off Halloween festivities this weekend

Walking pumpkins and other surprises

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@thecitizennews.com

The last weekend in October means but one thing to children of all ages...Halloween! Funny costumes and spooky surprises help usher in the turning of the leaves, bringing a chill to the air and a shiver to the bones. Time for tykes to summon their imaginations, grab their pumpkins and celebrate the beginning of another holiday season right around the corner. Trick or Treat on Main Street in Fayetteville, the First Annual Kids Halloween Party in Peachtree City and The Avenue’s “Halloween Experience” are offering safe alternatives to a time of year that can become spooky for both parents and children. Games and activities, plus costume contests can be enjoyed by everyone at this years local festivities.

This is when time flies along with witches and ghosts towards the new year. Start early and make the best show of the fall, besides the leaves, a really memorable moment. Get out the camera because there will be many sights to amuse.

Downtown Fayetteville will be all aglow the weekend of Oct 22-24 with Jack O’Lantern’s scary and funny faces. Pumpkins line the courthouse square, City Hall, as well as Stonewall Village. On Saturday night, Fayetteville Main Street will brighten up even more with lots of Halloween and Harvest time fun as Trick or Treat on Main Street gets underway. The event is being sponsored by Main Street and Magic 98.1 and The Voice 720AM.

Main Street’s annual safe Trick or Treat event is planned for 6 p.m.-9 p.m Saturday night. Children are encouraged to attend in costume and visit those participating businesses on the square, as well as those that will be set up around the Gazebo at Stonewall Village. The participating businesses and groups include: Town Square Jewelers, By Invitation Only,McRae Communications, Holiday Inn, Tibbetts Publishing, Once in a Lifetime Events, Fayetteville Fire Dept., The Chamber of Commerce, Regions Bank, Holiday-Dorsey-Fife House Museum, City Café and Bakery, Fayette Collectibles, Wal-Mart, Bethany Circle, Dentistry for Children, Peachtree City School of Dance, Seasonal Concepts, Toys R Us,

Auto Rage, Aldi and Michaels.

Additional space is available and may be reserved by calling the Fayetteville Main Street Dept. at 770-461-6029.

Complimentary Trick or Treat bags will be handed out to the children at the stage area and all the participating vendors and businesses will have special treats for the children. . An Oktoberfest Band, Lorenz and die Kast will perform German music dressed in authentic attire. The stage is set up at Stonewall at the fountain area. Storytelling will take place in the Gazebo.

Kids ages 1-12 can compete in the costume contest which will take place at 7:30 p.m. on the stage by the fountain. Prizes for the contest will be donated by Wal-Mart, Toys R Us and Regions Bank. First, Second and Third place prizes will be awarded in age groups 1-6yrs and 7-12yrs. For vendor applications, information about participating in the Pumpkin Walk, or Trick or Treat on Main Street call 770-461-6029 or email Nancy Price at nprice@fayetteville-ga.gov

Later next week, the Peachtree City Youth Council is offering a free alternative to Trick or Treating this year. Their first Kids Halloween Party will be at the Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center at 202 Kedron Drive October 30 from noon to 2 p.m. Carnival type games and rides will be available for children 10 and under. They will also have costume contests for each age group.

The Halloween Party is for children that reside in Fayette County only. To register call the Peachtree City Parks and Recreation Department at 770 631-2542

You must register your child in advance, between October 11-27. If you would like more information on the Peachtree City Youth Council, visit peachtree-city.org and click on PTC Youth Council Elections or contact Art Sivertsen, Coordinator Youth and Teens at 770 631-2542 or email youth@peachtree-city.org

The Avenue in Peachtree City hosts its kid-friendly “Halloween Experience” Oct. 30 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Avenue Peachtree City will feature the Pumpkin Patch scene and an even greater experience for Halloween lovers: the Second-Annual Pumpkin Walk. Trick or treaters of all ages can enter the Pumpkin Walk, a contest to see who can create the best carved or decorated pumpkin, as judged by our blue ribbon Avenue team. The contest will have two categories - Large and Small - and all pumpkins must be entered by 2 p.m. at the Great Gazebo on Oct. 30. Winners will be announced at 3 p.m., with $175 in Avenue gift cards at stake.

In addition to the scenes, all of The Avenue retailers will be in the Halloween spirit, offering candy to trick or treaters and many dressing in full Halloween costume. The Avenue ambassadors will also be handing out Halloween trinkets to trick or treaters. For more information about The Avenue Halloween Experience or directions to the centers, please click on theavenuealist.com.