Wilmington,
NC – October 2014 / Newsmaker Alert / Halloween is a really
big deal in Wilmington,
North Carolina and the island beaches of Carolina
Beach,
Kure Beach and Wrightsville
Beach. And this year is no exception. Single Mom Lifestyle Expert/Author
Kerri Zane ranks Wilmington #1 in her roundup of “15
Great Halloween Haunts for You & Your Kids.” More than two dozen
Halloween-theme events will take place from the storied banks of the Cape
Fear River to the alluring shores of our seaside towns. Visitors can get
into the ‘spirit’ with ghoulish festivals, ghostly tours, murder-mystery
dinner cruises, pirate adventures, haunted attractions, creepy nature programs,
horror flicks and theatrical productions, zombie walks and trick-or-treat
events. There’s something for all ages and there’s a special treat this
year for fans of Fox Television’s Wilmington-filmed series “Sleepy Hollow”.
The Wilmington and Beaches CVB recently released a Sleepy
Hollow FAQ Sheet that includes a self-guided tour to several locations
that appear in the show.
Here’s a sampling of mysterious,
historical and educational happenings:
Sleepy Hollow FAQ – The
Sleepy Heads are coming! Riding on the coattails of Ichabod Crane and the
Headless Horseman and just in time for Halloween, the Wilmington and Beaches
CVB announces a “Sleepy Hollow” FAQ sheet. To download a copy, visit www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/SleepyHollowFAQ
Ongoing (year-round) –
Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington. 6:30pm & 8:30pm nightly thru Nov.
1; then at 6:30pm nightly thru March. Costumed guides lead visitors through
alleyways with tales of haunted Wilmington. Admission charge. Meets at
Water & Market streets. Reservations required: 910-794-1866; www.hauntedwilmington.com
Ongoing (year-round) –
Haunted Pub Crawl. Wed.-Sat. 7:30pm, thru Nov. 1. Ages 21+. Admission
charge. Meet at Fat Tony’s, 131 N. Front St., Wilmington. Reservations
required: 910-794-1866; www.hauntedwilmington.com
Ongoing (year-round) –
Haunted Cotton Exchange Tours. Daily tours; call for hours. Admission
charge. Cotton Exchange parking lot street entrance, Wilmington. 910-409-4300;
www.hauntedcottonexchange.blogspot.com
Each Tuesday in October
(14, 21, 28) – Murder Mystery Dinner Cruises. Solve an exciting who-dunnit
on a 2-hr. dinner cruise along the Cape Fear River. Audience participation;
prizes. Boards at 6pm; departs 6:30pm at dock (Water & Dock sts). Admission
charge. Reservations required: 910-343-1611; 800-676-0162; www.cfrboats.com
Each Tuesday & Thursday
– Pirate Treasure Hunt Adventure. Arrrrgh! Join a costumed pirate storyteller
on an exploration of Masonboro Island’s natural treasures. Learn about
the history of famous North Carolina pirates such as Captain Kidd, Stede
Bonnet and Blackbeard. Boards at 4:15pm; sails at 4:30pm. Admission charge.
Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, 275 Waynick Blvd. (across from Blockade
Runner Resort), Wrightsville Beach. Advance reservations required: 910-200-4002;
www.wrightsvillebeachscenictours.com
Each Friday & Saturday
(Through November 1) – A Wilmington Horror Story, a horror-themed dinner
show. Doors open 6:00pm; show at 7:00pm. Audiences will enjoy original
theatre that features three tales of terror written by local scribes, served
up with a devilishly delicious three-course menu. TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th
Street, Wilmington. Advance reservations: 910-399-3669; www.theatrewilmington.com
Oct. 16-19; 23-26; 29-31
– Halloween Horror Theatre Festival by Big Dawg Productions. Shows
at 8pm. Original shows written by local playwrights. Oct. 9-12: A Frightfully
Funny Night of Comedy. Oct. 16-19: The Witch, The Troll, The Hairy Man.
Oct. 23-31: Death Bed, The Play That Bites. Admission charged. Cape Fear
Playhouse, 613 Castle St., Wilmington. 910-367-5237; www.bigdawgproductions.org
Oct. 17-19; 24-26 – Halloween
Festival. “Haunted” Wagon Rides, Haunted Manor House, costume contests,
non-scary Goblins & Games Fun House with fortune tellers, stories,
rides, petting zoo, food & more. Fun for all ages. Activity fees vary.
Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Hwy. 17 N Wilmington. 910-686-9518; www.poplargrove.org
Oct. 17-19; 18-20; 24-26;
30-31 – “TWISTED” Haunted House. Fri. & Sat. (7pm-midnight);
Sun. (7pm-10pm). Visitors will experience a “twist” on Alice In Wonderland:
Alice is no longer in Wonderland. Come see the TWISTED world she now inhabits!
Admission charge; NHHS Lyceum Academy fundraiser. Rated PG-13. Location:
1290 S. 15th Street, Wilmington. 910-251-6100, ext 222; www.facebook.com/NHHSLyceumHauntedHouse
Oct. 17 – AquaCamp:
Spooky Critters. Halloween day camp (age 5-12) features slippery, slimy
animal programs. Admission; pre-register. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Kure
Beach; 910-458-8257;
www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher
Oct. 18 – Science Spooktacular.
6pm-9pm. It’s not spooky, it’s science. Meet UNCW mad scientists and
create a mini lava lamp, slime and pumpkin Oobleck. Create frozen shadows,
examine artifacts from creepy collections or build your own skeleton. Experiment
with pumpkin oscillators, melting blocks and much more in the Little Shop
of Physics. Make a square bubble and a ghost dance. Examine “ghost eggs”
ad see how light works in a two-way mirror. Admission charge. Cape Fear
Museum, Wilmington. 910-798-4350; www.capefearmuseum.com
Oct. 18 – 5K ZOMBIE Fun
Run/Walk. 6pm. Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Hwy. 17 N Wilmington.
910-686-9518; www.poplargrove.org/halloween-festival/5k-zombie-fun-runwalk
Oct. 23-24 & 29-30
– Trick-or-Treat Under the Sea. 5pm-8:30pm. Families enjoy thrills
& gills in the same day. Indoor trick-or-treating, face painting, story-telling,
magic shows, spooky divers and haunted gardens are highlights at this family
Halloween party. Note: only umbrella strollers permitted. Admission charged
(children 2 and under free). NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Loggerhead Rd.,
Kure Beach; 910-458-8257; www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher
Oct. 23-26; Oct. 30-Nov.
2 – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Cape Fear Shakespeare presents the
classic tale by Washington Irving. Times vary. Please check website for
dates/times. Historic Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Theatre. Wilmington.
wilmingtoncommunityarts.com/Frontpage-Events/legend-of-sleepy-hollow.html
Oct. 24-25 & 29-31
– Halloween Ghost Trolley & Barn. 6pm-9pm. Kid-friendly 30-minute
horse-drawn trolley ride and a fun spoof in the “haunted barn.” Horses
and tour guides are dressed in costume. Halloween-theme stories, songs
& treats. Admission charged. Departs at Market & Water sts.; 910-251-8889;
www.horsedrawntours.com
Oct. 24 – Kooky Spooky
Jam-Boo-Read! 4pm-7:30pm. Kids’ literacy event disguised as a street
festival with scary stories and non-scary fall-theme activities. Kids dress
in costume or as book character. Other Halloween/fall activities throughout
October. Admission charge. Children’s Museum, Wilmington. 910-254-3534;
www.playwilmington.org
Oct. 25 – Fort Fisher
Fall Festival & Haunted Trail. Fall festival 11am-5pm; Haunted
Trail 7pm-9pm (ages 10+). Food, games, crafts, prizes, inflatable obstacle
course, and a sand castle contest (11am-3pm). Free. Fort Fisher State Recreation
Area, Loggerhead Rd., Kure Beach. 910-458-5798; www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/fofi/main.php
Oct. 25: ZOMBIE Run.
4pm. Course features zombies lying in wait for runners (costumes encouraged).
It’s a friendly event that raises funds for Paws4People. Hugh MacRae Park,
Wilmington. www.wilmingtonzombierun.com
Oct. 26 – Halloween Musical
Matinee. 4pm. Introduce kids to the WSO youth orchestra and junior
strings. Admission charge. Wilmington; www.edu.wilmingtonsympohony.org/youthconcert
Oct. 27 & 28 – National
Theatre Live’s “Frankenstein”. Monday at 2pm & Tuesday at 7pm.
National Theatre Live broadcast of Frankenstein. Monday showing features
Johnny Lee Miller as the creature. Tuesday showing features Benedict Cumberbatch
as creature. Admission charge. Thalian Hall, Wilmington. 910-632-2285;
www.thalianhall.org
Oct. 28 – Batty Battleship’s
Halloween Bash. 5:30pm-8pm. Batty Battleship is a fun, family-oriented
event for little ghouls and goblins. Lots of fun and no scares. There’s
a carnival, face-painting, henna tattoos, bounce house and trick-or treaters,
a petting zoo, and Batty’s special guests: Anna and Elsa from “Frozen.”
Admission charged; tickets required. Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington.
910-251-5797; www.battleshipnc.com
Oct. 30 & 31 – Phantom
of the Opera. 7pm. Gaston Leroux’s romantic mystery thriller by City
Ballet. Friday evening gala includes a masquerade ball with optional masks
and elegant attire. Thalian Hall, Wilmington. 910-632-2285; www.thalianhall.org
Oct. 31 – Halloween Movie
Night. Bring a chairs, blankets, coolers and candy for a scary screening
of Hocus Pocus (7pm) and Psycho (9pm). Popcorn and beer/wine for sale.
Admission charge. Bellamy Mansion, Wilmington. 910-251-3700; www.bellamymansion.org
Oct. 31 – Halloween Concert.
The Right On Band: Motown, disco, 70s. funk. Free. Riverfront Park, Wilmington:
910-763-7349.
Oct. 31 – Trick-or-Treat
at the Mall. 4-6pm. Kids arrive in costume and retailers provide candy.
Independence Mall, 3500 Oleander Dr., Wilmington. 910-392-1776; www.shopindependencemall.com
See where the water takes
you! For more information about seasonal specials and great October rates,
featured Halloween/Fall events and experiences, visit www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/seasonal-page.
For a FREE official visitors guide to Wilmington,
N.C.’s historic river district and the island beaches of Carolina
Beach,
Kure Beach, Wrightsville
Beach, please call 910-341-4030 or 1-866-266-9690. Before traveling
any distance, contact event venue to confirm details.
Media
Contact:
Wilmington
and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau
Connie
Nelson
Communications/PR
Director
910-332-8751
866-266-9690
ext. 120
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The
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches
Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization
of New Hanover County, North Carolina that stimulates economic development
through the promotion of travel and tourism.
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