Region Prepares for ‘Un-boo-lievable’ Good Time
By JULIEANNE COOPER, Region EditorFact Box
Some Fun Halloween Facts
- More than 93 percent of children, under the age of 12, will go out trick-or-treating
- About 50 percent of adults dress up for Halloween, while 67 percent take part in the activities, such as parties, decorating the house and trick-or-treating with their children
- 86 percent of Americans decorate their house for Halloween
- Halloween candy sales average about $2 billion annually in the United States. It is the largest candy-purchasing holiday, bigger than Christmas, Easter and Valentine's Day!
- The first Halloween card was made in the early 1920's. These days, over 28 million Halloween cards are sent each year. U.S. consumers spend about $50 million on Halloween greetings
- Over $1.5 billion is spent on costumes each year and more than $2.5 billion on other Halloween paraphernalia
- About 99 percent of pumpkins that are marketed domestically are turned into jack-o-lanterns
- 90 percent of parents admit to sneaking goodies from their kids' Halloween trick-or-treat bags
- More than 10 percent of pet owners dress their pets in Halloween costumes
- The biggest pumpkin in the world tipped the scales at a whopping 1,446 pounds. This gigantic gourd was weighed in October 2004 at a pumpkin festival in Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada.
- More than 35 million pounds of candy corn will be produced this year. That equates to nearly 9 billion pieces - enough to circle the moon nearly four times if laid end-to-end.
(Source: www.iparty.com)
Carved pumpkins set on stoops, cottony spider webs stretch across doorways and window frames, skeletons lurk in the shadows waiting for the unsuspecting, and the screech of bats pierce the night: Yes, Halloween is almost here and folks are getting in the mood - both children and adults - stocking up on candy, searching for just the right costume and making plans for social outings.
According to market analysts, an estimated 70 million adults, more than one third of the U.S. adult population, will dress up in costumes and celebrate in scary style. And although it may be a week before the actual holiday, lots of events are scheduled for the next few days. There'll be more to come when Halloween hits next Friday, so this weekend offers a warmup of sorts for those in northcentral West Virginia.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort kicks off its Halloween celebration Saturday with lots of activities, games and contests, a costume parade, pumpkin carving and a whole lot more.
"Bring your family and friends to Snowshoe Mountain and join us for a fall Halloween Festival," a spokesperson said. "All activities will be free of charge and will take place inside The Big Top in the Shavers Center parking lot."
The following is Snowshoe's Halloween Festival schedule of events:
Saturday
11 a.m.: Coloring contest - "come and color a boo-tiful Halloween picture with us." Prizes will be awarded for three age categories.
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Gathering in the Big Top for "Trick or Treating" in the Village
12:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m.: The following activities will take place.
Free Eurobungy and Climbing Wall
Free Inflatable attractions
Orbitron
Refreshments
Pumpkin carving
Costume parade
12:15 p.m.: Free hot dog, chips and beverage
12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Pumpkin Carving Competition, "Best in Show" 2-4 years old, 5-8 years old, 9-11 years old, 12 and older; prizes awarded at the end of event with all contestants receiving a small prize.
1:15 p.m.: Parade of costumes - categories include Most original, Scariest/Ugliest, Prettiest/Cutest and Best Homemade costume; prizes awarded at the end the event and all contestants will receive a small prize.
1:30 p.m.: Cookies and beverages
1:45 p.m.-2:30 p.m.: For Fun games - bobbing for apples
Cass Scenic Railroad's Halloween Train will be pulling out of the station Saturday. This is a "one-time run for spooktacular fun," according to organizers. For more details, times and ticket prices, call 456-4300.
The former Weston State Hospital - now the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum - will host its 2008 Fall Festival with lots of ghoulish goodies including tours of the old hospital, games and contests, live entertainment and more Friday through Sunday.
The following is the Fall Festival schedule of events:
Friday
Vendor and concession setup begins at 8 a.m.
Grounds open at 1 p.m. to the public with free admission
Hospital tours begin at noon and will end at midnight
Games begin at 6 p.m., including pumpkin carving contest, egg rolling contest, costume contest and more
Hospital of Horror begins at dark and ends at 1 a.m.
Saturday
Grounds open to the public at 8 a.m. and admission is $5; vendors and concessions open at 9 a.m.
Longaberger Bingo throughout the day
Car show begins at 10 a.m. from the Summer Nights Cruising Association
Parade starts at 2 p.m.
Hospital tours begin at 10 a.m. and end at 8 p.m.
Hospital of Horror begins at dark and ends at 2 a.m.
Flashlight tours begin at 8 p.m. and end at midnight
Bluegrass bands, including Mountain Fury, the Hillbilly Gypsies, Buck & Co., The Vaughns and The Stalnakers, from noon to midnight
Sunday
Grounds open at 8 a.m. and admission is free; vendors and concessions open at 9 a.m.
Performance from the Lewis County High School Choir
Chili Cook-off
Hospital Tours begin at noon and end at 8 p.m.
Motorcycle show begins at 1 p.m.
Hospital of Horror tour begins at dark and ends at 2 a.m.
Flashlight Tours begin at 8 p.m. and end at midnight
Other events this weekend include the conclusion of Davis & Elkins College's first fall production, "Anton in Show Business." Performance dates are Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m. each day. On Saturday, the performance will begin at 7 p.m.
The production contains material that may not be suitable for all audiences. Tickets for "Anton in Show Business" are $7 for general admission, $5 for seniors, students with an ID and D&E alumni, and free to Davis & Elkins College students, faculty and staff. For reservations, call 637-1212.
The Fall Quilters Retreat at Canaan Valley Resort will continue today through Saturday featuring quilting classes and workshops by two expert West Virginia quilters. Anne Kessel of Shepherdstown and Mary Smith of Leadmine will lead participants in traditional quilting classes and help them learn new skills on smaller projects.
The resort is offering a special lodge package for guests who check in on Wednesday and leave on Saturday. That package includes three nights lodging, three breakfasts, two light lunches, quilter's registration fee and privileges at the resort's Beech Club (indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and exercise room).
Registrants will pay $10 for the Mariner's Compass quilt pattern and for the pin cushion kit, $15 for the tote workshop and $5 for the mystery project. For additional information, call David Cooper at Canaan Valley Resort at 1-800-622-4121 ext. 2677, or visit the Web site at www.CanaanResort.com for registration information and forms.
In addition to making quilts, guests can also take part in Canaan Culinary University with instructor executive chef Nemat Odeh who will combine making classic soups and stocks with one that highlights Mediterranean cuisine.
The daylong class will include instructions on how to make basic stocks and varieties of those stocks. In addition, Odeh will demonstrate how to make basic sauces, which are used as the foundation for other sauces and thickening agents.
Class participants also will learn how to make a selection of Mediterranean dishes including salads and dips, hummus, stuffed squash and stuffed eggplant, and desserts that include cheese strudel and baklava.
The class is $50 per person. Class participants will receive a chef hat and apron, all recipes made in the class and enjoy dining on the food they prepared in the class.
For more information on the class and Canaan Valley Resort's fall weekend packages, call Canaan Valley Resort at 1-800-622-4121 or visit the Web site at www.CanaanResort.com.
Music will be coming from the mountains in Pocahontas County on Friday when The Ahs, a West Virginia duo that blends old-time banjo with the classical cello, take the stage of the Opera House in Marlinton at 7:30 pm. Friday. Tickets for performances are $7 at the door.
The Pocahontas Opera House is a family friendly environment where children are admitted free. To find out about upcoming Opera House performances, visit online at www.pocahontasoperahouse.org or call 799-6645.
The Purple Fiddle Coffeehouse and Mountain Market will welcome music makers to the stage all weekend long, beginning with Foxhole Prayers at 8 p.m. today, admission is $7; the Dennis McClung Blues Band with Silver Lights opening at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, admission is $8; Yarn on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., admission is $7; and Reed Waddle at 8 p.m. on Sunday, admission is $5.
The Purple Fiddle is located on East Avenue in Thomas. For more information on these and other upcoming performances, call 304-463-4040 or visit online at www.purplefiddle.com.
With clear, cold nights and star-filled skies, Blackwater Falls State Park will host an Astronomy Weekend featuring workshops, keynote speakers and star parties with novice and more advanced amateur astronomers in mind. For more information, call 304-259-5216 or visit www.blackwaterfalls.com.
The Quilters At Heart Guild 2008 Fall Show will be Friday and Saturday at the Stockert Youth Center in Buckhannon. The show, in the center's handicap accessible gymnasium, will be open from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The show will feature a boutique, demonstrations, door prizes, vendors and works of members. The Stitching House of Buckhannon, The Elkins Sewing Center and The Sew Inn of Morgantown will have booths at the event. There is no charge for admission. Members of the Quilters At Heart Guild invites everyone to attend. For more information, call Betty Puffenbarger at 472-3658.
Alderson-Broaddus College Senior Recitals will be Sunday with Lily Williams on vocals and Nathan Corathers on saxophone. The free performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in Wilcox Chapel. For more information, call 457-6200.
