Don't know what you're doing yet for Halloween? Never fear! Check out this list of Halloween events - including parties, haunted attractions, films and other activities - in Charlotte and the surrounding area.
Ongoing Haunted Attractions
Scarowinds The annual haunted attraction featuring "Blood Drums," "Mass Acres," and "The Asylum," in addition to mazes, thrill rides, scare zones and special shows. For detailed info or to purchase advanced tickets, visit www.carowinds.com/haunt2012/rides-attractions. $24.99-$47.99. Oct. 12-14; Oct. 19-21; Oct. 26-28; Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte. 704-588-2600. www.carowinds.com.
The Haunted Mill The annual haunted attraction returns with a walk-through of horror-ish scenes in the mill, in addition to Purple Planet 3D Mini Golf (an indoor, black light putt-putt course), a game room and other new scenes. Held at 6325 Wilkinson Blvd. in Belmont. $10-$19. Oct. 12-14; Oct. 18-21; Oct. 24-31. For more information, visit www.thehauntedmillnc.com.
The Campground Massacre The haunted attraction, in operation since 1994, was created by an enthusiast of sci-fi/horror movies, and haunted houses. Features a walk through Mina's Mansion, as well as outdoor haunts. $20. Oct. 12-13, 7:30-11 p.m.; Oct. 14, 7:30-10 p.m.; Oct. 19-20, 7:30-11 p.m.; Oct. 21, 7:30-10 p.m.; Oct. 25, 7:30-10 p.m.; Oct. 26-27, 7-11:30 p.m.; Oct. 28-30, 7-10 p.m.; Oct. 31, 7-11 p.m.; Nov. 2-3, 7-11 p.m.; The Charlotte/Fort Mill KOA RV Park and Campground, 940 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill. For more details, visit www.themassacre.com.
Camp Fear The multi-attraction event features a haunted trail, a maze, "Clown Chaos", an "Insane Asylum", a "Living dead Dollhouse," and a "Freak Show". Held at 601 Princess Lane in Hiddenite. $14-$18. Oct. 12-13; Oct. 19-20; Oct. 26-27; Oct. 31. For more information, visit www.campfearnc.com.
Hickory Grove Haunted Trail The annual haunted attraction is located at 4064 Mountainview St. in Gastonia. $12. Oct. 12-14; Oct. 18-21; Oct. 24-31. For more information, visit http://hghaunts.com.
The Old Haunted School Annual haunted attraction sponsored by Bethany Volunteer Fire Department in Albemarle. Held at 37627 Mountain Creek Road in Albemarle. $6. Oct. 12-13; Oct. 19-20; Oct. 26-27; Oct. 29-31. For more information, visit www.bethanyvfd.org/hauntedhouse/default.htm.
Scarrigan Farms The annual haunted trail attraction has added new additions to this walking tour, including a mind-bending Vortex, a 3D experience, the Old-West mining town, gruesome forest ghouls, a Tragic School Bus, a haunted corn maze and more. For more information, visit www.scarriganfarms.com. $20. Oct. 12-14; Oct. 19-21; Oct. 25-29; Oct. 31; Nov. 3. Carrigan Farms, 1261 Oak Ridge Farm Highway, Mooresville. 704-664-1450. www.carriganfarms.com.
Ghost Tales in the Dark Tour the plantation by candlelight and hear real ghost stories from staff, volunteers, and previous ghost hunts. RSVP is required and children must be at least 10 years old to take the tour. To register, call 704-875-2312. $12 per person; $6 for members. Fri., Oct. 12, 8, 9 and 10 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 13, 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m.; Fri., Oct. 19, 8, 9 and 10 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 20, 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m. Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-2312. www.lattaplantation.org.
Amazing Maize Maze Get lost in Rural Hill's seven acre corn maze with more than two miles of connecting labyrinth-like pathways. Tours of the historic grounds, hayrides, corn-hole, pumpkin patches and more are also available during the visit. Flashlight maze tickets also offered. For details on pricing and times, visit www.ruralhill.net/amazingmaizemaze.asp. $7-$15. Fridays-Sundays. Through Nov. 4. Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville. 704-875-3113. www.ruralhill.net.
Thursday, Oct. 25
Zombie Nation The party will feature costume contests for "sexiest" and "best" costumes for cash prizes, drink specials and music from DJ Frenzy, DJ Red, DJ Adrenalin and DJ Magnum. Thurs., Oct. 25. Phoenix, 300 N. College St., Charlotte. 704-375-8765. www.phoenixofcharlotte.com.
GUTS Pumpkin Carving Contest The 4th annual pumpkin carving contest benefits Levine Children's Hospital. For more information, visit www.gutscharlotte.com. Thurs., Oct. 25, 4 p.m. N.C. Music Factory, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., Charlotte.
The 4th annual Take a Slice Out of Cancer event was held at Villa Francesca on Oct. 23, 2012. The event, which featured a silent auction and performance by Chairmen of the Board, was hosted by Morgan Fogarty of Fox Charlotte and Brandon Chase of K104.7. (Photos by Lucky Austin)
The 10th Annual Sihk or Treat Halloween event was held at the Chop Shop on Oct. 20, 2012.
(Photos by Jeaumane McIntosh)
Heist Brewery, the new brewpub in NoDa, held its grand opening celebration on Oct. 19, 2012. (Photos by Lucky Austin)
Suite held its Level Wednesdays Pink Party on Oct. 17, 2012. For a "pink party," not many folks sported the color. Oh well. (Photos by Jeaumane McIntosh)
Purgatory held its Danse Macabre Halloween Party at Amos' Southend on Oct. 13, 2012. (Photos by Jeaumane McIntosh)
The annual BBQ & Blues event was held at the N.C. Music Factory over the weekend, featuring live music, plenty of food and people. (Photos by Lucky Austin)
Su Casa held a kickoff party for Congo Week at Dharma Lounge on Oct. 12, 2012. (Photos by Lucky Austin)
Creative Loafing held its Best of Charlotte party on Oct. 3, 2012, at the McColl Center for Visual Art. Complete with appearances by local musicians, drag queens, city leaders, Renaissance Festival thespians, sports mascots and cheerleaders, the party offered a one-of-a-kind night to celebrate the winners of this year's Best of Charlotte issue and Creative Loafing's 25th anniversary.
Check out this video, courtesy of intern Zach Nesmith.
Before last week, I'd never taken the time to check out the McColl Center for Visual Art. Well, thanks to the great tastes of two party planners — one of whom was CL's own event marketing manager — I have now visited twice in the span of five days. It wasn't until my second excursion did I realize what a truly great event space it is.
Wednesday night was CL's Best of Charlotte party, which is always a whirlwind. Amidst the meeting and mingling — and drinking — I didn't get to take in my surroundings. Luckily, I returned on Saturday night for the Dining With Friends Finale. (I've decided if I ever get married, I'd like to hold my wedding reception there. But I digress.)
Dining With Friends won me over as a great fundraising event the year one woman hosted a Snuggie (yes, the backward-robe blanket) fashion show to show her support. Generally, people get together early in the evening at a host's house for a dinner party, where he or she collects donations for Regional AIDS Interfaith Network. Around 9 p.m., everyone from their respective dinner party meets up at the finale to celebrate with dessert, drinks and dancing.
The general mood of the reception party was one of familiarity and fun. Surely, the four or five guys I spotted dressed in green pants must have been together at someone's dinner. The same must have been true for the ladies dressed in tights, headbands and other loud '80s gear.
The upstairs area of the McColl Center offered the entertainment of one live singer, fascinating art to gaze upon and pink champagne. Lovely. But the real party was downstairs. People mingled amongst the dessert samplings, painted positive red and black messages on a large canvas (perhaps inspired by the Malibu Red and Absolut CherryKran cocktails from the outside tent) and line-danced the "Cupid Shuffle" and the "Wobble." (I still haven't quite got the hang of the "Wobble." No judging.)
But what offered the most satisfaction — aside from the offering of decadent desserts from Melting Pot, Amelie's, Soul and other restaurants — was the crowd's diversity. From the rambunctious guys dressed in skinny jeans and Converses (whom I would see later that night at Marigny) to the banker types, from the model chicks in their cocktail wear to one guy dressed like he'd stepped out of a Shakespeare play — all walks of life were represented that evening.
Fitting, since HIV and AIDS isn't discriminatory.
Mobile
