New sights and scenes will be in store for Dublin’s annual Halloween Spooktacular Oct. 16.
Expanded and returning offerings highlight the popular, child-oriented event.
“We are happy to say that the hay ride returns this season after an unfortunate construction delay last year. It takes riders on a scenic trip of the park’s 38 acres of land through beautiful winding paths,” says Mary Jo DiSalvo, events marketing administrator for the City. “The hay maze and Haunted Trail are bigger and better than ever. The maze is more challenging and the Trail has everything you need for an eerie Halloween experience: fog machines, hanging lights, inflatables and spooky sounds.”
Spooktacular runs 3:30-8:30 p.m. at the Dublin Community Recreation Center. Admission is free.
The best-known part of the event is Trunk or Treat, which brings in about 30 local businesses to pass out candy to costume-clad children. There’s also a Halloween craft area offering a variety of seasonally appropriate item ideas, though the main craft this year is to be a surprise, DiSalvo says.
For the slightly older crowd, there’s the Monster Mash, a costume dance party for middle-schoolers. The dance, which begins at 6:30 p.m., also features a photo booth.
Other highlights include refreshments, fortunetellers, pumpkin carvers, magicians, dancers and animal experience specialists the Turtle Lady and the Bug Man.
“These close encounters with different animals, such as tarantulas and turtles, allow the kids to really connect with nature,” DiSalvo says.
There will also be a King and Queen of Halloween crowned from the ranks of the City’s most dedicated volunteers.
Olivia Tharp is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
