Halloween happenings in Culpeper

Staff Reports
Published: October 31, 2008

Trick-or-treaters everywhere!!!
The Depot
The annual Halloween festival for families runs from 5 to 6:30. Bagged candy and live entertainment. Call 825-4416 or visit culpeperdowntown.com

Culpeper Baptist
Its fall festival is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Kids are invited to dress up and visit stations depicting different stories from the Bible, such as David and Goliath. Candy, trail mix, moon bounces, face painting, live music and other games. Call 825-8192.

West and Blue Ridge
A few blocks of downtown see more door-to-door foot traffic than any other neighborhood. From Culpeper Baptist to Asher Street, trick-or-treaters come out in force. Please drive slowly through this area. 

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Culpeper United Methodist (right) will hold its seventh annual Trick or Trunk, “Let His Light Shine,” from 6 to 8 p.m., in the church’s upper parking lot. There will be food, cider, treats, games activities and live music, plus a costume contest at 7 p.m. Call 825-0764.

New Salem Baptist will have Trick or Trunk at Lake Pelham Dr. starting at 6 p.m. Hay rides and movies will also be available for treaters. Call 825-6614.

Open Door Baptist, 754 Germanna Hwy., will have its Fall festival from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be games, crafts, food, hayrides, door prizes, illusionist Mr. Vic, and lots of candy. Call 825-1549.

Rising Zion Baptist will hold its “All Saints Night” at 5:30 p.m. There will be a hayride, games, marshmallow roast, and trunk-or-treat. 18168 Springs Rd Jeffersonton, call 937-4025.

Novum Baptist celebrates its Harvest Festival from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Enjoy hayrides, games, hotdogs, marshmallows, crafts and candy. Bring an apple or pumpkin pie to enter into a “best pie contest” or a Christian-themed carved pumpkin. Call 876-9523. 1629 Novum Church Road, Reva.

Culpeper Assembly of God, 120 Chestnut Drive, will hold its Fall Harvest party from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There will be homemade soups, hotdogs and snacks, plus a cake walk, games, moon bounce and candy.  Dress up in your favorite characters, no scary costumes. Call 825-9511.

Remington Baptist will have a Trunk or Treat at 6 p.m. in the church parking lot. Come see if trunks hold tricks or treats, enjoy a cup of cider and see The Praising Puppets. Call 439-3013.

Movies
For a classic and creepy fright tonight, head up to the ghostly Mt. Pony for a showing of “The Bride of Frankenstein” at 7:30. Watch as Dr. Frankenstein, now happily married, is forced to create a mate for his monster when a mad scientist, Dr. Pretorius, kidnaps his wife. Starring Boris Karloff as The Monster and Elsa Lanchester as his mate. More than 70 years later, Mary Shelley lives on. And so does Frankenstein.

For more sci-fi action and thrills Saturday at 2 p.m., check out the original version of “The Day The Earth Stood Still” from 1951. Klaatu and his 8-foot tall robot, Gort, visitors from outer space, arrive on Earth with a message. But the natives are not ready to listen to a voice from beyond. Starring Michael Rennie as Klaatu and Lock Martin as Gort. See the original before Keanu Reeves stars in the remake this December.

Music
For a rockin’ good time this All Hallows Eve, check out alternative punk funk band Rude Rock Family for a “Halloween Party Likes It’s 1999” at The Pub at the Hazel River Inn. Show starts at 9 p.m., $5 cover. Be sure to join the band and wear your best Halloween costume. Enter from the rear of 195 East Davis St.; call 825-5744.

If punk funk isn’t for you, do the “BOOty” shake with David Leckie Gilmore at Pelham’s Pub at the Inn at Kelly’s Ford from 6 to 10 p.m., 16589 Edwards Shop Road, Remington. No cover, call 399-1779 or visit innatkellysford.com.

Regional Scares
For tricks and treats down the road in Orange, residents and visitors can frolic from 3 to 5 p.m. The Good Witch will be at Taylor Park with goodies for children through age 8, St. Thomas’ Church will offer free books and civic groups and businesses will have treats for all the goblins.

Children can trick or treat at businesses with orange and black balloons throughout the town and enjoy activities at the train station. Call 672-2540 or visit orangedowntownalliance.org.

East of Culpeper in Fredericksburg, those wanting a good spook should sign up for the UMW-sponsored 24th annual Ghost Walk tonight and Saturday through downtown Fredericksburg. For a guaranteed spot, call 654-1315. Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and younger. Reservations can be made in advance or tickets can be purchased on site at Market Square. Tours will leave every 10 minutes from the corner of Princess Anne and William streets.

Eastern View football
The Cyclones are 6-2 and have high hopes for an at-large playoff bid. Tonight they play host to winless Kettle Run at 7:30.

Culpeper football
The Blue Devils gun for their first win at home tonight at 7:30, but it will be a tall order as they play undefeated Battlefield.

Words of advice from local law enforcement
HOURS: Halloween is designed for children under 13 to trick-or-treat until 9 p.m., according to Culpeper Police Chief Scott Barlow.

TRAFFIC: Both blocks of East Davis Street and the area in front of the Depot will be closed to traffic from 4 to 7 p.m.

POLICE PRESENCE: Town police officers will patrol the high-traffic areas of West Street, Blue Ridge Avenue, Culpeper Baptist Church and at Main and Davis streets, as well as throughout the town’s subdivisions.

COSTUMES: Wear a costume that makes it easy for you to walk and be seen.

LIGHTING: Carry a flashlight with you at all times, and only trick-or-treat at houses with the porch light on.

PLANNING: Plan your trick-or-treat route ahead of time, picking streets that are well lit.

STRANGERS: Never go into the home of a stranger, even if you are invited in for a treat.

BE CAREFUL: Examine all candy and throw away any that is suspicious.