Halloween in Athens, Ga

Halloween is always an exciting time of year no matter where you are, but to do Halloween in Athens, Georgia is to do it right. Whether you're looking to party, hear ghost stories, or spend a fun evening with your family, the Classic City has got you covered. Don't wait until the 31st --  this year, Athens has more than enough reasons to celebrate Halloween all month long.

Fall is finally here ladies and gentlemen, and in Athens, Georgia that means the celebration lasts all season long. If you're looking for some wholesome, fall family fun, then head over to the five-acre Athens Corn Maze which is open Thursday - Sunday through November 2nd. Contrary to its name, the corn maze is more than just that. In addition to the Corn Maze, you and your friends can enjoy a "Hey Hey Heyride," pony rides, and farm animals. There's also the Corn Box filled with freshly shelled corn, which offers a seasonal alternative to a sandbox for children (or adults!) to play in. There's no better way to spend your autumn day than lost in a sea of corn with all your friends. You can come visit Thursday - Friday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. - 10 p.m. Admission to the Corn Maze is $10 per person and free for children under 3 years of age.

Looking for some wholesome fun for the kiddo's this Halloween? Come on out to the famous 40 Watt Club. They'll be hosting a Halloween Kids Dance Party with theatrical kids band Like Totally! on Saturday October 19th. All guests, including parents, are encouraged to dress up as there will be a costume contest during the show. As an added treat, Like Totally! will be debuting their new single and music video "Veggie Wrap." There will be snacks and juice boxes for the kids, as well as a bar for those of age. Doors open at 2 p.m., the show starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are only $5. Check out www.40watt.com for more information.

Those looking for a chance to interact with some creepy-crawlies this Halloween season should look no further than Scary, Oozy, Slimy Day. Sandy Creek Nature Center will be hosting one of their most popular events on October 19th, 4 - 7 p.m., which offers attendees the chance to spend the evening learning about different scary bugs and insects, in addition to participating in a variety of games, activities and crafts. This year there will be delicious food vendors, including Shane's Rib Shack. Admission is $3 for ACC residents, $5 for non-residents, and free for children under the age of 3. For more details, go to www.athensclarkecounty.com.




Lickskillet Artists Market, a unique indoor/outdoor market featuring eclectic wares by countless artists of all ages, returns to Lyndon House Arts Center on Saturday, October 26th from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. In addition to over 50 artist booths, you'll be able to get your hands dirty with many hands-on art activities perfect for families, and then enjoy performances by a variety of local musicians. The event also includes tours of the historic Ware-Lyndon House, live art demonstrations by area artists and some delicious food provided by food vendors.The best part? Admission to the Market is free and open to all ages, however, children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information visit www.athensclarkecounty.com/lyndonhouse.

No talk of Halloween in Athens would be complete without mention of the Wild Rumpus Parade. October 26, 2013 marks the 5th year anniversary of this crazy event where thousands of people dress up and march around downtown Athens, Ga. It's the Classic City's take on similar events like Burning Man or The Oregon Country Fair, except with many of its own unique twists. The Wild Rumpus Parade offers the opportunity to form brigades with friends, all dressed in a themed costume, or you can join an already existing group and make new friends as y'all march through downtown together. The creative energy of Athens is never more evident than during the Wild Rumpus. The night concludes with a wild party at the famous 40 Watt Club featuring local bands Ghost Owl, Space Trucks, and Timi and Kite to the Moon. Those who attended last year will remember howling at the moon, but this year's theme goes in the opposite direction with "RAWR ~ A Tribute to the Sun!" Along with a new theme, the Wild Rumpus will be featuring all new daytime events for families and kids of all ages! Kids can enjoy a brand new "Monster Mash" rock show, haunted house, face painting and more. Additionally, paraders can look forward to new adventures including an outdoor stage at the end of the parade route. This year's deserving non-profit charity recipient is Nuçi's Space. The parade starts at 7:30 p.m. and the after-party starts at 9 p.m. Come on out and make sure to wear your costume! Tickets for the concert can be found at www.40watt.com and parade details can be found at www.wildrumpus.org.

Before you gorge yourself on pounds of Halloween Candy, get a head start on your exercise with the thirteenth annual Jack O' Lantern Jog and Goblin Fun Run. It will take place October 27th at the Sandy Creek Nature Center. This festive four-mile road race and one-mile fun run raises money in support of the Sandy Creek Nature Center. All runners are encouraged to dress up. The costume contest starts at 1:40 p.m., the Fun Run at 2 p.m., and the Jack O' Lantern Jog begins at 2:30. There will be unique trophies for winners, runners medallions for kids 10 and under, and much more. Prizes will be given out in each age division for the four-miler. Visit www.athensclarkecounty.com for more information or www.active.com to register online.

This year on Tuesday October 29th, children ages 2 - 12 will get the chance to take a haunted trick-or-treat tour of the Athens' Bear Hollow Zoo when they hold "Boo at the Zoo." Afterwards, make sure to head on over to Memorial Park's Halloween Carnival for fun and prizes! Kids are encouraged to dress up, as there will be a costume contest every hour. The carnival, which will run from 5 - 8 p.m, will also feature stories, games, and activities. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The event is $4 admission for children, and free for parents, guardians and children under the age of 2. Find more information at www.athensclarkecounty.com.

Halloween in Athens is particularly special because all old towns have lots of great ghost stories to tell. This year's Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation's  "Haunted History Tour" will be held on Wednesday, October 30th and Thursday, October 31st at 7:30 p.m. The two-hour tour will wind through Downtown Athens and UGA's North Campus and explore the spirits, hauntings, superstitions and mysterious legends of the Classic City. Get your tickets now to hear stories of murder, suicide, and many other spooky tales. Tickets are $15 for non-ACHF members, $12 for members. For more information visit www.achfonline.org/heritage-walks.

Halloween is a time to spend with friends, rediscover your youth, don a costume, and share in the abundance of spooky stories and candy. If you're looking to do all that, and more, then Athens is where you need to be. Make sure not to miss out on all this great city has to offer, whether it be the rich and haunted history, or thousands of wild Athenians parading downtown in full costume. More information on these events, along with complete travel information, is available from the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau at VisitAthensGA.com, 706-357-4430.

Here Come the Holidays!

The Classic City kicks off the Holiday Season this weekend with a number of festive events that will certainly get you in high spirits.

• Athens' annual Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights ushers in the holiday season this evening at 7 p.m. Over 60 floats, bands, and other groups parade through downtown streets awash in twinkling lights. The theme for the 2009 parade is "A Gift from the Heart." The parade begins on the corner of Dougherty and Pulaski Streets ending in front of City Hall for the traditional tree lighting ceremony, hosted by none other than Santa and Mrs. Claus. Come early for the Downtown Open House, with great deals and extended hours by great downtown retailers! For more information, visit http://www.accleisureservices.com/.
• The UGA Symphony Orchestra will perform a series of holiday favorites tonight, December 3rd, and tomorrow the 4th. Hear their smooth holiday tunes at 8 p.m. on both days at the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall in the UGA performing arts complex. The concert is free admission.
• Celebrate the history of Athens this holiday season as The Athens Historic House Museum presents its 2nd annual “Christmas Spirits Holiday Tour” on December 5th and 6th. Visitors will enjoy guided tours of each residence while noshing on delicious seasonal refreshments. Two original theatre vignettes by Rose of Athens Theatre are sure to delight tour-goers of all ages. Come and see the four historic house museums in all their festive splendor! Tours will leave from the Ware-Lyndon house on Hoyt Street at 6 and 7 p.m. on the 5th and 2 and 3 p.m. on the 6th. Tickets are $25 per adult and $15 for children under 10. It is sure to be unforgettable holiday fun for the whole family. Call (706) 353-1820 for tour reservations.
• The Classic Center hosts an evening of holiday jazz with Grammy jazz vocalist nominee Nnenna Freelon. Joining Ms. Freelon will be The Jon Faddis Quartet, plus percussion. Mr. Faddis is one of the finest jazz trumpeters in the world. In addition to the wonderful holiday music, Jon will feature his renowned tribute to Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. The show begins at 8 p.m. on December 5th. Tickets are available at the Classic Center box office or at http://www.classiccenter.com/.
• The State Botanical Garden’s Holiday Open House on December 6th offers free, festive, family entertainment inside the tropical Conservatory, This year’s holiday décor will keep with the theme of “An Audubon Christmas”, celebrating the Garden’s birds. Musical entertainment includes performances by The Georgia Children’s chorus, The Solstice Sisters and The Classic City Band. A professional photographer will take posed photos as Santa and Mrs. Claus listened to children’s wishes. Special holiday drinks and treats will be available for sale at the garden-side Café. The event begins at 2 p.m. and is free admission. For more information call 706-542-1244 or log on to the Garden's website.

This weekend's events are sure to please Athens holiday revelers of all ages... so enjoy!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Get Spooked: The Wild Rumpus Halloween Parade and Spectacle

If you're not heading to Jacksonville this weekend & looking for a fun activity for Halloween night, check out the The Wild Rumpus Halloween Parade and Spectacle .

For those who have experienced Halloween in Athens, you know that plenty of people arrive downtown dressed in full costume. The problem? Since it's the weekend of GA/FL some bars are closed, others are almost empty, & you end up feeling ridiculous being the only person dressed up.

The Wild Rumpus Halloween Parade and Spectacle is aiming to be the solution. Ready to take over downtown starting at 10 p.m. the Web site says:

"The vision of The Wild Rumpus is to provide an organized avenue for the massive array of Athens creativity which manifests with such awesome power every Halloween. This year we seek to organize this event for the purpose of channeling the creative spirit into a collaborative, all-inclusive, peaceful, fun time for all."

The event leaders will also be compiling videos & photos for a short feature.

After circling downtown a few times, the event will culminate at 11:11 with a party at Tasty World Uptown.

Participants will be organized into brigades including one led by the CVB's April Moore Skelton. To sign up for a bridgade and for more information including meet-up location, key costume guidelines, & key local ordinances (there's still an open-container policy even on Halloween!) visit the Wild Rumpus Website by clicking here.