Halloween Events

Walt Kraybill of the Harbour Towne Fest Band at the 2021 Sugar Mountain Resort Oktoberfest. PHOTO SUBMITTED

FESTIVALS

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WOOLLY WORM FESTIVAL

The 45th annual Woolly Worm Festival will take place on Oct. 15 and 16 at the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children 6-12, with a $1 fee added for credit cards. Children 5 years old and under get in free. The biggest attraction of the festival is the woolly worm races, in which the winner can earn up to $1,000. In addition to the races, 150 vendors set up at the festival, selling food, woolly worm souvenirs, art and more. All proceeds from the festival go toward schools, children’s programs and tourism in Avery County.

FILE PHOTO Student Champion Dwight Teague being recognized for the success of his woolly worm “Speedy” at the 2019 Woolly Worm Festival. Also pictured are Merryweather the Woolly Worm and Jason DeWitt. FILE PHOTO Benjamin Richards and his little racer, Emmeline, braced the stormy weather at the 2021 Woolly Worm Festival to race their worm, Lollipop.

Halloween festivities deliver frighteningly good times

BY PATRICK MCCORMACK

As the nighttime temperatures cool and the leaves change, communities and visitors of northwestern North Carolina are offered various opportunities to discover fall festivals, seek out haunted locations, or just enjoy a hot drink.

From pumpkin cannons and trick-ortreaters to haunted houses, there are sure to be activities that promise hairraising good times for all.

NEW RIVER CORN MAZE, DEEP GAP

Located beside the scenic New River, on the historic Brown Family Farm, this five-acre corn maze offers more than just a challenge. The “pick your own pumpkin” patch is home to gourds big and small, an array of varieties, sizes, and colors from typical Jack-O-Lantern’s to giant pumpkins to heirloom pumpkins are available for picking, including a favorite among culinary circles, the Jarrahdale pumpkin.

A tram meanders around the farm, offering a view of all the fall colors. The corn maze is one mile of twisting turning fun.

Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the mountain air and partake in a game of corn hole.

New River Corn Maze is located at 660 Laurel Gap Ridge Rd, Boone, NC 28607. For information about this season’s pricing email newrivercornmaze@gmail.com. Opens September 2022.

TERROR BY THE RIVER, BOONE

Kristina and Matt Ward are the proud owners of Terror by the River, a haunted house and trail in the mountains of North Carolina. The Ward’s promise an experience that is sure to “scare your pants off.”

“Doing this has brought us so much joy to just be able to see everyone having so much fun,” Kristina Ward said.

The business outgrew Wahoo’s Adventures two years ago, and will be hosting its fourth annual event. For the second year in a row, the event will be held at the High Country Fairgrounds at 748 Roby Green Road, Boone, NC 28607.

Starting the last weekend in September and every Friday and Saturday night in October, Terror by the River will lead one group of people at a time on foot through a trail of monsters and ghouls.

The venue opens at 6 p.m. for guests who wish to browse around or kids who wish to take the spooky tour in the daylight, but once the sun has set it becomes the witching hour.

The haunted trail will operate 8 p.m.11 p.m. and can be tailored, upon request, to a level of terror of the guests choosing.

Bonfires, corn hole, giant checkers, a gift shop and snacks will all be available

Asher Hausley rides a police car down King Street during Boone Boo! on Oct. 31.

PHOTO BY MOSS BRENNAN

to guests with the price of admission. Tickets are $20 and tickets for kids under 10 are half off. Groups of 6 or larger can make reservations.

Terror by the River is home to the largest grim reaper in the nation.

“We hope to see as many happy, scared, laughing faces as possible,” Kristina Ward said. For more information regarding this event visit terrorbytheriver.com, call (828) 964-5392, or visit www.facebook.com/TerrorbytheriverBooneNc/.

SEE HALLOWEEN ON PAGE 137