New Orleans has Mardi Gras, Washington, D.C. has Independence Day and New York City has New Year’s Eve—Athens, GA meanwhile is well on its way to becoming one of the best destinations for Halloween. In addition to the Wild Rumpus Parade & Spectacle (p. 14) and Flagpole’s Cruise Down Spooky Street (p. 12), here are a handful of ways to celebrate the season.
BUMP IN THE NIGHT: Halloween has traditionally been a time for cover bands to shine, with many often assembling for rare one-off performances. The pandemic undoubtedly diminished some of this activity, but there are still a few acts to catch. Funk Brotherhood will perform a tribute to Kool & The Gang at the Halloween Getdown, which also features The Forefathers and a dance party with DJ Mahogany, at Southern Brewing Co. on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. Over at Nowhere Bar on Oct. 30 at 11 p.m., Gimme Hendrix will transform into Gimme Sabbath.
For original music, head to the Monster Mash Fashion Bash at Paloma Park on Oct. 29, a night featuring a fashion show and live music by DJ Chiefrocka, Montu, Trvy, Caulfield, Hollowbody and other special guests. On Oct. 30, head to Flicker Theatre and Bar for music by Tears for the Dying and Vision Video, plus sets by DJs Crowe, Astro Zom-B, Twin Powers and Wardaddy. Additional spirited dance parties include DJs Booty Boyz, War Daddy and Twin Powers at the 40 Watt Club on Oct. 29 and DJ Mahogany at Athentic Brewing Co. on Oct. 30.
FREAKY FILMS: The Athens Flicker Film Society finishes its 13 Days of Darkness double feature series at Flicker Theatre and Bar with a handful of creepy classics starting at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. The schedule includes Candyman (1992) and Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight on Tuesday, Oct. 26, plus Empty Man and Burial Ground on Wednesday, Oct. 27.
Going with a tried and true cult classic, Ciné will offer showings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m. The Ciné Drive-In, meanwhile, will close out its own series, Revenge of Schlocktoberfest, with Halloween and Halloween 2 at General Time on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
GOOD CLEAN FUN: Washington Farms is the place to be for fall harvest festivities. In addition to a pick-your-own pumpkin patch and flower fields, the farm hosts a 6.5-acre corn maze and all sorts of children’s activities: pig races, zip lines, wagon rides, a petting zoo, vortex tunnel, hay bale mountain, climbing wall and so on. The farm has extended weekend hours through Nov. 7.
Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services host a variety of children’s activities for Halloween, but by far the cutest option is Boo at the Zoo. Offering trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt, animal encounters and decorations, the event is held daily at Memorial Park’s Bear Hollow Zoo through Oct. 31 from 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
CHILLING THRILLS: Above and beyond a typical haunted attraction, Zombie Farms is a freaky 3/4 mile long trail that winds through the woods passing intricate horror sets and roughly 50 costumed actors. There’s also a new rope maze this year. Storytelling is always a focal point of the experience, with Zombie Farms originating as a place where zombies could peacefully exist away from society in exchange for manual labor. Each season features a new storyline with accompanying sets, and this time the plot thickens with “Shadows of Neverland” in which a portal leads to the dimension of shadows where a malevolent character has been stealing the souls of children. Zombie Farms closes out its season on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30. Visit zombiefarms.com for tickets.
SPOOKY ART: Currently at tiny ATH gallery through October, James Greer’s exhibition “Toward the Crooked and the Dim” presents a collection of meticulously drawn pen-and-ink illustrations that pull inspiration from dark dreams and the subconscious mind. Email tinyathgallery@gmail to make a viewing appointment.
Adorning the orange wall of Flicker, the annual Halloween show presents artwork by over a dozen artists, including Dan Smith, Lenny Sandvick, Rachel Blair, Jeremy Long, Joe Dakin, Charley Ferlito, Klon Waldrip, Jeff Rapier and Amanda Jane Burk.
HAUNTED HISTORY: Hosted by Jeff Clark, Athens Haunted History Walking Tours stroll through the streets to uncover local folklore, mysteries, strange occurrences and ghostly sightings. Tours are available near-daily through November and cover roughly two miles in two hours. Visit athenshauntedhistory.com to register.
Through the end of the month, the parlor and dining room of the Church-Waddel-Brumby House will be decorated in Regency Era mourning decor. On Oct. 29 at 6 p.m., the Historic Athens Welcome Center will host a special candlelight tour to educate visitors on death and mourning in early 19th-Century Athens. Visit athenswelcomecenter.com for reservations.
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