It's fall in Auburn, which means Halloween is right around the corner. While Halloween is a big time of year for pumpkins, candy, costumes and more, finding spooky season events for the whole family can be tricky to do. Luckily, the Auburn-Opelika area is full of fun-filled, on-theme events.
For younger kids, Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine hosts a Trunk-or-Treat.
The Trunk-or-Treat takes place on Oct. 30, and is run by the Auburn University chapter of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association in collaboration with Hill's Pet Nutrition. The entry fee is $5, and all of the proceeds go directly to the Auburn PET Emergency Treatment Fund (PET), a fund to help offset the cost of emergency treatment for local animals.
This Trunk or Treat on Halloween Eve is a fun event for children to get candy and dress up while supporting a good cause.
“It’s like trick or treating but out of trunks, so the trunks are like houses. It’s super fun; super cute,” said event coordinator Kathryn Sweeden.
On brand with most events in Auburn, Aubie will be attending to bring the Halloween spirit to the children. This is the mascot's first year making an appearance at this event, making it a big surprise for everyone.
“[Aubie’s] coming… who doesn’t love Aubie? I know our vet students love Aubie,” Sweeden said.
The Great Pumpkin Splash is another Halloween activity for children. The event takes place at the Opelika Sportsplex Pool on Saturday, Oct. 29, and is open to children ages 6-12. The entry fee is $5 for a fun-filled pumpkin dive.
“Before the event starts we will throw the pumpkins out in varying depths of the water,” Public Relations Coordinator Laura Chesser said.
The children then get to swim in the pool and choose a pumpkin, which they can then decorate with provided materials. At the end of the night, the kids get to leave with their own decorated pumpkins.
“We have little decoration stations set up around where they can decorate their pumpkin with all kinds of things…everyone gets a little treat bag after,” Chesser said.
For all ages looking for Halloween fun, the 34th Annual AIAS Pumpkin Carve is the perfect place to be. This event takes place on Friday, Oct. 28, in the courtyard of Auburn University’s Dudley Hall.
This is event is run by the American Institute of Architecture Students of the Auburn University Chapter where all of the proceeds go directly to their program. The event starts at 9 a.m. when students and community members will carve a pumpkin to later be judged for a winner.
“Once you carve your pumpkin, go ahead and put it on display and it will be here and we’ll light them in the evening and then come back at 7 o'clock if you want your pumpkin,” Molly Campbell, fifth-year in architecture, said.
The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with special guests like Aubie and WEGL FM making an appearance to “bring in some new Halloween spooky vibes,” Campbell said.
More details and information can be found on the event website at aub.ie/pumpkincarve.
For young adults and horror enthusiasts, this last event is bringing the fear-factor onto The Plains.
Sleepy Hollow Haunted Farm is a family-friendly, yet terrifying, experience. According to its website, Sleepy Hollow Haunted Farm “will leave you shaking in your boots.”
The farm is open every Friday and Saturday night in October. They offer 3 different events with ticket prices at $15 per event. They also feature live music playing every Saturday night and will have a costume contest on Halloween.
Events include the “psycho path,” a haunted corn maze with creatures lurking all around.
“You can’t run away from these monsters,” the website says.
They also have a “clown cabin” where participants will enter a dark cabin and be faced with “horrifying clowns that love to hear the sounds of screams."
Lastly, they have a “RIP Ride” for adults 18 years and older. The “RIP Ride” is a school bus haunted by a clown while trying to knock you out of your seat.
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