October is one of Athens’ months to shine, packed full of fall festivities and Halloween activities for all ages. One of the city’s landmark events and its largest Halloween celebration is the Wild Rumpus Parade & Spectacle, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 with a parade, four-block festival zone and pre- and post-parties. For something a little more low-key and spoopy, the Boo-le-Bark costumed dog parade takes place during Porchfest Sunday, Oct. 19 (see the Calendar Pick). Below are some curated highlights for the rest of the month, but be sure to visit Flagpole’s calendar for even more fall festivals, children’s activities and other themed events.
ART: For the month of October, Flicker Theatre and Bar’s pumpkin-colored walls are filled with its spectacularly spooky annual Halloween art show, organized by Dan Smith, aka See Dan Paint. Featured local artists include Amanda Burk, Don Chambers, Joe Dakin, Will Eskridge, James Greer, Jeremy Long, David Mack, Peter James McCarron, Marisa Mustard, Tim Root, Lenny Sandvick, Maggie Seee, Scott Stripling, Cole Taylor and more. Hung on the walls at Hendershot’s is a collaborative show of spooky-themed works by Ella & Belle, who are inspired by The Secret of NIMH, Redwall and ‘80s animation.
On view at the Oconee County Library through Nov. 3, “Southern Cemetery: Tales & Tombstones” features photographs by Jennifer Keene that explore unique stories and monuments found in rural and garden cemeteries. For those interested in digging deeper, Keene has curated a collection of books to read that accompany the exhibition.
EVENTS: If you’re up for a fall drive just outside of Athens, there are a couple of events happening this weekend. The Watson Mill Bridge State Park is hosting its 12th annual haunted hayride on Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18 from 6:30–10:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person, but sales stop at 9:15 p.m., so plan accordingly. Downtown Jefferson is hosting a Porch Tales tour of the historic district on Friday at 7 p.m. The walking tour will visit spots with lore of ghosts, unexplained mysteries and murder.
There are also tours and attractions you can drop in throughout the month. The haunted trail and “zombie preserve” at Zombie Farms is in full swing, celebrating its unlucky 13th year with the story theme Camp Smiley. Featuring intricate horror sets and a huge cast dedicated to terrifying and entertaining guests, it’s a popular Halloween attraction. Tickets are $33–$35, and Zombie Farms will be open on Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 8.
The Historic Athens Welcome Center hosts a candlelight Death & Mourning tour at the Church-Waddel-Brumby House on Fridays from 5:30–7:30 p.m. A guide leads visitors through spaces draped in authentic Regency Era mourning decor and shares stories from the past. Tickets are $20, and space is limited.
FILMS: Flicker Theatre and Bar is a hotspot for off-the-beaten-path horror fans. Three Star Cinema will screen the 1987 Hong Kong comedy horror film Mr. Vampire 3 on Oct. 15. Then there’s an occult movie double feature screening of Haxan (1922) and Necromancy (1972) on Oct. 20. The 1982 British sci-fi horror film Xtro will be screened Oct. 22. My Bloody Horrorcast is presenting the 1981 film Mermaid Legend on Oct. 27 with a Goth Lobster ‘80s Beach Party dance party afterwards. Closing out the film series is the 1981 supernatural horror film The Beyond on Oct. 29.
Athentic Brewing Co. is hosting a Brews & Boos movie series for the month. Oct. 15 is a slasher theme with a double screening of Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream. Oct. 22 is ghosts week with Poltergeist and Ghostbusters, then Oct. 29 features monsters with The Wolf Man and Dracula. Curtis and Hannah of the Love at First Fright podcast are coming to the brewery on Oct. 28 for a Halloween movie screening and live podcast from 6–9 p.m.
The Tokusatsu Club is presenting a screening of the 1971 Japanese vampire film Lake of Dracula at the Athens-Clarke County Library on Oct. 19 at 2:30 p.m. The UGA Special Collections Library will present an outdoor film screening of The Blob on Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. Picnic blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged, and free popcorn will be provided. Ciné is hosting Behind the Slate podcast for a screening of The Thing with historical background on Oct. 30 at 8 p.m.
MUSIC: The 40 Watt Club will host the third annual Southern Gothic Festival on Oct. 24–25. The post-punk and goth-centric fest features a dance party on Friday with Goth Dad, Twin Power and SXFT Chains, then a full night of bands on Saturday with Vision Video, Missing, Delores Galore, Tears for the Dying and Entertainment. Individual tickets are $15 for Friday and $20 for Saturday, or $25 for a weekend pass.
Halloween day has several performances lined up for a fun, festive Friday night in Athens. Indecent Artistry is hosting its annual Halloween cover show at Flicker Theatre and Bar, featuring Honeypuppy and Penny Loafer as The Breeders, Your Ex’s Pets as The Beach Boys, Viv and the Things as The Slits and Racecar 44 as Joy Division. Next door at the 40 Watt Club, Dosed by an Angel presents a Halloween show with a packed lineup featuring Wieuca, Immaterial Possession, Ralph, Rauncher, Peter and the Skeeters and End Time Vision. Up the street at the Georgia Theatre, an Emo Nite dance party will rage downstairs while Florence Cardigan and Atticus Roness perform on the rooftop.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
