Guide to Annual Halloween Activities
Arkansans all over the state will be donning their costumes and taking to the streets on October 31st. Store bought and homemade costumes will flood neighborhoods and local businesses. I will give you some insight on how we do Halloween in the Natural State.
Boo at the Zoo. Little Rock Zoo has a trick-or-treat night at the zoo that’s safe, and fun. Halloween costumes are worn and children go to all the exhibits trick-or-treating. There is a zoo staff member handing out candy at each one. The exhibits are decorated and lighted. There is also security nearby no matter where you are in the zoo.
Party at home. Some families prefer to invite children from the neighborhood and have a costume party. If the weather permits, parties with a lot of guests tend to take place outside. Parents all bring something different for snacks and the kids have a blast. An inexpensive tub found at any discount store can be filled with water and apples tossed in for good old fashioned Bobbing for Apples.
Bonfire, anyone? In rural Arkansas, older kids and adults tend to sway toward having a Halloween bonfire. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get together with friends and neighbors in a family-oriented environment. Kids and parents dress up in Halloween costumes and celebrate in the great outdoors.
Visit Arkansas’ Haunted Houses. Many cities in Arkansas set up Haunted Houses for Halloween. There is usually a well trained staff watching out for the visitors, and families can do this together. A lot of haunted house staff hand out candy to the children. Halloween costumes are worn, and the admission fee for the Haunted Houses is usually anywhere from $5 to $10.
Trick-Or-Treat the local shopping centers. Most local Arkansas retail chains have in-store trick-or-treating for children. The staff will have buckets of candy to pass out at various departments throughout the store. Trick-or-treating in well lighted retail stores offers safety and added candy to the loot bag.
Adult Halloween parties at pubs and nightclubs. Local night clubs in and around Little Rock, have costume parties and prizes to be won for best costume. The parties at clubs usually don’t start until after 10pm, so you still have time to take the little ones trick-or-treating before the sitter comes. Drink specials are usually in effect until midnight, so make plans to get there while your favorite drink is still half price.
Boo-seum. The Old State House Museum will serve as one of seven venues for this thrilling Halloween event. Visitors are encouraged to come in costume and buses will provide free shuttle service between the participating museums: The Museum of Discovery, Old State House Museum, Historic Arkansas Museum, Central High School National Historic Site Clinton Presidential Library and MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History (with the Arkansas National Guard Museum). Each location will have candy available for young trick-or-treaters, as well as hands-on activities.
Goblin Parade. Main Street in Rogers Arkansas, has the annual Goblin Parade for the children of Rogers. Children in costume follow a planned route through downtown Rogers and “trick-or-treat” Historic District Businesses along the way. Parents are encouraged to bring their small children for a fun way to celebrate Halloween.
New to Arkansas and don’t know where to start? HauntedHouseOnline.Com is the answer. Just select Arkansas on the drop down menu on the left, and pick a Haunted House! Each listing has a great description and displays admission fees. Detailed directions and reviews from people that have been to the Haunted Houses are also featured on each listing. Also, locals can point you in the direction of any public parties or children’s events for Halloween.
Hayrides. There is nothing finer than a cool dark night, a long flatbed trailer stacked with hay, and a tractor pulling the hayride around a rural town. Hayrides are a long-standing tradition in Arkansas for Halloween. They become especially interesting when ghouls and goblins jump out from behind trees along the way.
