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Lots of spooky events in line this Halloween
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| FILE PHOTO A child and her pet in costume during the Mascoutah Leu Civic Center 2007 Halloween Parade. | ||
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As fall temperatures arrive, scary stories and spooky sights are doing their part to also make people shiver.
Storytellers will share stories of horrors and haunts, bonfires will help warm trick-or-treaters, parades of children will show off their costumes, and - of course - several local downtowns are hosting trick-or-treating events.
BELLEVILLE
- Eckert's is holding Jumpin' Pumpkin Jamborees on Oct. 24, 25 and 31. Participants can ride wagons to the pumpkin patches in Belleville to search for their perfect jack-o'-lantern pumpkin. The event also includes wagon rides, country music, pony rides, make-your-own scarecrow, funnel cakes and festival foods, as well as a petting farm. For more information, call 233-0513.
LEBANON
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- The Witches' Night Out is from 5-9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25. Local "witches" are invited to leave the children home with a sitter and bring their "best broomsticks" for a broomstick contest. Enjoy food and beverages at downtown eateries and bars.
- McKendree University students are going trick-or-treating for canned goods on Sunday, Oct. 25.
The annual collection, sponsored by the campus Center for Public Service, will benefit the Lebanon Food Pantry. Students will "trick-or-treat" in Lebanon neighborhoods from 3 to 5 p.m. Residents may also leave canned goods or other non-perishables on their porch or doorstep during that time.
- A Halloween Wine and Cheese Tasting event will benefit Lebanon Food Pantry. It is 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Fezziwig's Marketplace and Wine Merchants in Downtown Lebanon. Tickets are $20 per person with half of the tasting fee and $1 from every bottle of wine purchased ($10 or more) donated to the Lebanon Food Pantry. Call 537-8422.
- The "Haunted Happenings" ghost story tour sponsored by the Looking Glass Playhouse will be Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, beginning at 7 p.m. The tour will take about an hour and a half; they leave every 15 minutes until 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $5. Groups will be escorted to several sites throughout Downtown Lebanon to hear supernatural, absurd and scary tales from the thespians of the Playhouse. The Playhouse encourages participants to dress appropriately for fall weather.
Tickets can be purchased at the door at Looking Glass Playhouse, 301 W. St. Louis St., or by calling 537-2544.
MASCOUTAH
- Leu Civic Center's annual Halloween Parade is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25. The parade will start at the Moose Lodge and then march to the civic center with the Middle School Band and the Starz-r-us Dance Troop.
The parade will be led by the city police and fire departments and Charles Lee from the American Legion, who will carry the U.S. flag.
There will be a costume contest for children between 1:15 and 2 p.m. at the Moose Lodge. Games, food and candy will be available for children.
Call 566-2175 or visit www.leuciviccenter.org.
MILLSTADT
- Eckert's in Millstadt has haunted hayrides on Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31, after the sun goes down. The hayride goes through Eckert's Haunted Orchard. Admission is $8, which includes the hayride and other activities on the farm.
On Oct. 31, any child with a costume on will receive free admission to the entertainment farm, with a costume parade at 2 p.m.
O'FALLON
- Central School, 309 Hartman Lane, is having a haunted school event 7-11 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, and 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for students. Kindergartners and younger children will be admitted free.
There also will be a family hour 5-6 p.m. Saturday, with a half-price admission.
All proceeds will go to Central School District No. 104.
- The O'Fallon Public Library will be showing scary movies from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Movies to be shown include: "House on Haunted Hill," 10 a.m.; "Poltergeist," noon; "Ringu," 2 p.m.; "A Haunting in Connecticut," 4 p.m. Call 632-3783.
COLLINSVILLE
- The eighth annual Freaky Fives 5K Run and Walk, scheduled Saturday, Oct. 24, is encouraging participants to wear Halloween costumes for a pre-race costume contest.
The event will take place at the Collinsville Area Recreation District Activity Center, 10 Gateway Drive in Collinsville, just across from Gateway Center.
Awards are presented for the best costumes and to the top two overall male and female finishers, as well as the top two finishers in each 5 kilometer running category. Registration is $20.
Entry forms are at www.collinsvillerec.com.
- Costumes are being created and chili recipes tweaked for the Saturday, Oct. 24, Halloween Walk and Chili Cookout, on Main Street. The costume contest runs from 9-10 a.m. at Miners Theater. The chili cookout runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trick-or-treating begins at 10 a.m. and goes to 1 p.m. Trophies will be awarded at 1 p.m. Main Street will be closed between Seminary Street and Morrison Avenue.
- The Collinsville Memorial Library Center is holding a pumpkin carving session from 6 to 8 p.m. to Oct. 28 at the library, 408 W. Main St.. The session will help participants learn about art safety, carving techniques, pumpkin science and jack-o'-lantern history. Bring a pumpkin or buy one from the library; carving supplies will be available.
- The library is hosting a bonfire at the Blum House, 414 W. Main St., at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., participants can roast marshmallows, then at 6:30 p.m., storytelling will begin; the evening includes and open microphone session for anyone to tell a ghost story.
VALMEYER
- Tickets are now available for the second annual Valmeyer Halloween Spooktacular Dance Saturday, Oct. 24, at St. Mary Parish Center with music from 8 p.m. to midnight by the Fountain Creek Band. Costume prizes will be awarded and snacks will be provided. No alcohol can be brought into the parish center. Admission price is $5 per person, and tickets are available at Mike's Convenience Store, Valmeyer Village Hall, First Bank and the State Bank Valmeyer Banking Center. All proceeds from this event will help support the programs of the Valmeyer Centennial Committee.
WATERLOO
- The Halloween Safe Night is 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Waterloo High School. Trick-or-treat stations will be set up in the gym, with an outdoor straw maze and indoor haunted maze. The activities are hosted by the Future Farmers of America chapter, with student organizations helping to run the activities.
For children kindergarten to eighth grade, no charge.
- The Immanuel Lutheran Church will host its third annual "Trunk or Treat" event 6-8 p.m. in the church parking lot, 522 S. Church St.
COLUMBIA
- The Columbia Public Library, 106 N. Metter Ave., is hosting "Halloween Hoopla Fun" for children 2-5 from 11 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Oct. 29, and "Spine Tingling Tales" for adults and teens 15 and older on Friday, Oct. 23. The event will be outside around a bonfire; marshmallow roasting starts at 6 p.m. If the weather is bad, the storytelling will be held in the Library's basement. Call 281-4237.
- On Halloween, Oct. 31, "Halloween Hi-jinks" is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as Main Street businesses in Colubmia welcome trick-or-treaters. The event also features a children's parade at 1 p.m. and costume judging at 12:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception School playground.
From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Columbia City Hall, the "Scare Square and Pumpkin Glow" will have free hot chocolate, hot dogs and treats. The Columbia High School Art Club will be doing face painting. Residents can enter the pumpkin glow; participants will vote on their favorite jack-o'-lantern. Call 281-7144, ext. 106, or visit to www.columbiaillinois.com.
EDWARDSVILLE
- The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce Halloween Parade will start at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 31. The theme is "Celebrate the Season."
The parade will begin at the Lincoln Middle School parking lot at Schwarz and West streets, then move east on St. Louis Street to Vandalia Street, north on North Main Street, and end at High Street. Visit www.edglenhalloween.com.
- The Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S. Kansas St., has a "Witches' Brew," Friday, Oct. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. The Riverwind Storytellers will tell scary stories. The library is holding a puppet show for preschoolers and other children at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, where children who come in costume can parade around the building.
- The Children's Museum in Edwardsville is holding a "Spook-tacular Weekend" exhibit for children up to 12. The event will be 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23; Haunted Science lab will be $5 per person.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, the River Ben Astronomy Club will give demonstrations on space exploration from 1 to 3 p.m.. The demonstration is for children up to 12. Regular museum exploration hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and admission is $4 per person. Call 692-2094 or visit www.childrens-museum.net.
GRANITE CITY
- The Granite City Park District is hosting a Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 30, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Wilson Park Ice Rink. Kindergarten to sixth-grade students can come in costume; adults must accompany them. Costume judging will be at 7 p.m. After the costume contest, anyone in a costume can ice skate for free. Call 877-3059 before Oct. 23 to make reservations.
- The Granite City Senior Social Club will sponsor a Halloween dance on Monday, Oct. 26, at the Hagnauer Township Hall, 2060 Delmar Ave., Granite City. Music will be provided by the Tradition Band. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dancing will be from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. $4 admission.
- The Word of Life Tabernacle Church is having a free "Trunk or Treat" event from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, with pony rides, hay rides, an obstacle course, hot dogs, caramel apples and other food. The church is at 4870 Maryville Road.
- Harvest Community Church, 4598 Illinois Route 162, is holding "Harvest Fest" at 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, with inflatables, hay rides, games, food and (of course) candy.
MARYVILLE
- The Howl-O-Ween Pet Party in the Park is 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 31 in the Tri-Township Park gazebo area. The event includes a parade of pets at 12:30, a pet costume contest at 1 p.m. ($5 donation to benefit Partners for Pets is required to enter). Pet tricks contest will be at 3 p.m.
Several businesses will have booths, along with food concessions and entertainers.
- The Villa Marie Winery will hold a Halloween Party from 7:30-11 p.m. Oct. 31 with appetizers. Music provided by Brown Bottle Fever; free admission.
- Maryville Manor is holding "Beggar's Night" from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at 2133 Vadalabene Drive. Residents at the Manor will hand out candy to costumed trick-or-treaters.
The Halloween spirit continues
Come back next week
We go searching for the most haunted places in Madison, St. Clair and Monroe counties "? maybe some in your neighborhood.
Got a good costume?
Forty-one percent of 37 Journal readers who took our online poll last week said they're dressing up for Halloween this year. To show off your costumed kids, pets or self, e-mail photos for an upcoming story to metroeastnews@yourjournal.com.
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