Tag Archives: Halloween

Halloween safety tips

Have a safe and fun Halloween! 

  1. Make sure to inspect the children’s Trick Or Treat candy to make sure everything is in a sealed wrapper and appears safe.
  2. Small children should not eat hard candy because of chocking.
  3. Children should be supervised when they go Trick-or-Treating.  Many parents will come home early from work on the day to go with their children.  Check with Host Parents about this.

 

Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers

Halloween is a wonderful holiday, but because of increased foot traffic and that Trick-or-Treaters are out at night, the potential for automobile related accidents with young pedestrians increases four times on this night according to a CDC (Center for Disease Control) study.

Streets are literally crawling with all sorts of witches, ghosts, goblins, vampires and all other sorts of costumed people. This makes for added responsibility for drivers to make sure that they drive safer than normal.

In many areas, people drive their kids into subdivisions and let them out to walk from house to house. Usually the parent follows behind in the car. This can cause traffic jams in small areas and much confusion as kids dart between cars on the streets going from house to house. A driver is already distracted because they are trying to keep an eye on their own kids and usually aren’t paying attention to much else.

Children and adults tend to be preoccupied and may not pay as much attention to safety as they should. They may not see your vehicle or just assume that you see them automatically. Stay on the defensive and you shouldn’t have a problem while driving on Halloween night

* Don’t use a cell phone or other electronic device while driving on Halloween night. You shouldn’t be doing this anyway, the rate of cell phone related auto accidents has jumped dramatically since the use of cell phones and texting has risen so high. Some states have already made laws concerning this and others are working on it.

Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars. Left them know if they carry a flash light to never shine itin the eyes of a driver. This can cause blindness on the drivers part temporarily and they may not see your child.

Drive below the posted speed limit in residential areas during trick-or-treating hours. This will allow you time to break if you see a child dart in front of you.
   
   
   
   
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Need a costume for Halloween?

Halloween is the day children dress up in costumes and, in many communities, go door-to-door to ask for candy.

Find some great costume ideas and remember that safety on Halloween is extremely important – children should never eat

unwrapped candy.

Don’t forget, the day after Halloween is a great day to buy costumes on sale to put in a dress up box!

Local Halloween events

Halloween

Fredericksburg Jaycees Haunted House. Weekends in October, 7pm. The oldest haunted house in the ‘Burg is back and better than ever! Join us for our re-vamped Haunted House, sure to scare the pants off of you! Located in the parking lot of Old Bogeys in Central Park (next to American Indoor Karting). www.fredjaycees.com

Halloween Ghosts of Fredericksburg Tours. Weekends through Nov 30. 50 Minute Carriage Tours. Fredericksburg, “America’s Most Historic City, is also considered to be one of the most haunted cities in the country. See if you can find any undead on one of our Ghost Tours through historic downtown Fredericksburg. 706 Caroline St. F’burg, 22401. 540-710-3002.www.ghostsoffredericksburg.com

Haunted Hollow. Weekends in October, 7pm. Visit a haunted, abandoned old farm! 8275 Maple Tree Ln, Warrenton, 20188. 540-522-9183. www.hauntedhollowva.com

Howl-O-Fest At King’s Dominion. Weekends in October, 12Noon – 5pm. Come enjoy all sorts of treats at daytime Howl-O-Fest’s Boo Blast at Kings Dominion. Families can enjoy Halloween together with a street party of frightful fun including a treasure hunt, foam pit, pumpkin painting and more! 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell.www.kingsdominion.com

Halloween Haunt at King’s Dominion. Weekends, September 28 – October 28. Features ghastly creatures emerging from the darkness, highly-intense and bone-chilling attractions and some of the most hair-raising rides on the planet like the Intimidator 305 and Dominator roller coasters! This event is not recommended for kids. 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell. www.kingsdominion.com

Historical Haunts at Stratford Hall. Oct. 27, 6pm – 8pm. Family event for all ages! Special ghost tours of Great House, Halloween crafts and refreshments. Cost: $5/Adult and $3/Children. 493 Great House Rd, Stratford Hall, 22558. www.stratfordhall.org.

Shocktober. Every Fri, Sat, Sun in October. Paxton Manor; 601 Catoctin Circle NE, Leesburg. The Paxton Manor opens its doors to those who are brave enough to walk her halls and descend into the basement. There are three nightly haunts for you to explore at our one location: The Paxton Manor, The Funhouse, and The Haunted Well of Souls. www.shocktober.org.

Wicked Woods Haunted Forest. Weekend Evenings Sept 28 – Oct 28. Includes a haunted manor, an insane asylum and over 1/4 mile trail into the deep woods of Virginia. Massey Rd., Spotsy, 22551. 540-895-5786. www.wicked-woods.com

Spooky Crafts for Kids. Oct 17. Gather under the cover of darkness to make some spooky Halloween crafts! Rowser Bldg, 1739 Jeff Davis Hwy, Stafford. For ages 3- 10 yrs. Times: Ages 3 – 5: 5pm – 5:45pm. Ages 6 – 10: 6pm – 6:45pm. Cost: $8/$10–non-res. www.staffordparks.com

Tots Halloween Crafts. Oct 17, 10am – 11am. Halloween season craft projects for ages 3-4. Cost: $5/child. Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal St., F’burg. www.fredericskburgva.gov

Spooky Search for Sensational Treats. Oct 19, 7pm. Search and collect Halloween treats by the light of the moon or your own flashlight. For ages 3 -11 yrs. Curtis Park, Shelter #7, 58 Jess Curtis Lane, 22406. Cost: $6/$8-on-res. 540-658-4871. www.staffordparks.com

Creepy Crawly Carnival. Oct 19 & 20 (7pm – 9pm). Activities include carnival area with crafts, games, and treats, dancing, moon bounce, box maze, haunted house, costume contest and a haunted trail ride. Cost: $6/person or $20 for family of 4. All proceeds go to the Support Campaign. Being held at the Massad Family in S. Stafford, and the Ron Rosner in Spotsylvania. www.family-ymca.org

Pumpkin Patch in the Pool. Oct 20, 6:15pm – 8pm. Who said pumpkins can’t swim? Get your pumpkin from the pool, decorate it, and after all your hard work, swim awhile! Space is limited, so sign up now! One pumpkin per child. Ability to swim not required; pumpkins will also be available on the pool deck. Ages 3-10. Cost: $8 per child & accompanying adult. Woodlands Pool, 2 Northampton Blvd, Stafford.

Pumpkin Derby Workshop. Oct. 22, 6pm – 7:30pm. Learn how to build your racing pumpkin for the big event on Oct 27! Bring your own pumpkin and we will help you turn it into a derby racer. Workshop includes axles and wheels! For ages 10+ Rowser Bldg, 1739 Jeff Davis Hwy, Stafford. Cost: $8/res or $10/non-res. www.staffordparks.com.

Spooky Stories by the Shore. Oct 26, 7pm -8pm. Walk the trail of spooks and spiders to a roasting fire by the shore. Hot chocolate and marshmallows, then spooky stories and other surprises! Must pre-register: 540-373-1086 or www.fredericksburg.gov. Cost: $5/person. Motts Run Nature Center, 6600 River Rd, F’burg

Boo at the Zoo. Oct 26, 27, & 28. The Smithsonian National Zoo offers the wildest trick-or-treat in town. Enjoy animal encounters, keeper talks, and festive decorations along with your tasty candy and delicious snack foods. 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington D.C. www.nationalzoo.si.edu/events

Halloween Spookover & Costume Party. Oct 26, 8pm. Join the fun with our Gymnastics Halloween Sleepover! Wear your costume for the contest and then prepare for a whole night of fun, games, gymnastics, movies, popcorn, and pizza! Bring a sleeping bag and clothes you can “shake, rattle, and roll” in! We will even have breakfast on Saturday morning! For Ages K-12 yrs. Stafford Gymnastics and Rec Center, 500 Nelms Circle, Falmouth. Spaces are limited. Preregister atwww.staffordparks.com

Haunting Halloween Madness. Oct 26, 6pm – 10pm. Costumes, music, and food outline this scary Friday night at the Lake Anna Winery. For $20, dance into the night to the tunes of “REUNION”. Also enjoy Pet and Human Costume contests, a Bon Fire, Pumpkin Painting, Wine Tasting, and Tours. There will also be a Bake Sale and Auction items, benefiting Louisa Humane Society. 540-895-5085.www.lawinery.com/dest_events.asp

Air & Scare. Oct 27, 2pm – 8pm. Our annual Halloween event features the spooky side of air and space at the Air and Space Museum; Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly. Each year, people arrive in costume for safe indoor trick-or-treating. They participate in creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, and other Halloween-themed activities. The tiniest visitors check out the Tot Zone to play dress-up and hear a story. They can even pose for a photo with their favorite Star Wars character! www.airandspace.si.edu/airandscare/index.cfm

The Great Pumpkin Derby. Oct 27, 2pm. Grab your pumpkin racer and head to Curtis Park to compete against your friends and race your pumpkin downhill to victory! Making a pumpkin racer is easy! Take a pumpkin and insert 2 wheels. Make sure to decorate too! There will be prizes for winning racers and for best decorated pumpkins! All ages welcome! Curtis Park Shelter #7. Cost: $6/res or $7/non-res. Deadline to register: 10/26. 540-658-5116. www.staffordparks.com

Spooky Stories. Oct 30, 7pm. Spooky stories and songs to thrill and chill you on the library lawn. For grades K- 6. Just drop in! Headquarters Library, 1201 Caroline St., F’burg, 22401.www.librarypoint.org.

Halloween Hoopla. Oct 31, 10am and 11am. Halloween stories, songs and a costume parade for children ages 2-5 with their caregivers. England Run Library, 806 Lyons Blvd, F’burg, 22406.

Halloween Pizza Party. Oct 31, 1pm – 3pm. Join us for a costume & pizza party designed with your preschooler in mind. Gymnastics, parachute games, costume parade, and plenty of Halloween fun! Wear comfortable clothing under costume so you can shake, rattle, & roll after the parade! Cost: $15. Stafford Gymnastics and Rec Center, 500 Nelms Circle, Falmouth. www.staffordparks.com

Visit a pumpkin patch!

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Pumpkin Patches:

Belvedere Plantation. Pumpkin Patch opens Sept 29. This working farm celebrates the fall harvest time with pumpkin picking, bonfires, evening hayrides, and a cornfield maze! Pick pumpkins by light on Fri/Sat nights. Other attractions include pedal tractors, pig races, a pumpkin mountain slide, barnyard animals, and the fun barn with giant rope swings. Food and other specialty items sold on the premises. 1401 Belvedere Plantation, F’burg, 22408. www.belvedereplantation.com

Clark’s Farm. Opens Sept 22 – Oct 31. Open 7 days/week from 10am – 6pm. Activities include: farm animals, a hay mountain, large maze, face painting, pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, great cutouts for photos, a moon-bounce, and pony rides on weekends. Food, hot apple cider, and specialty craft items sold on premises. Price of admission includes a pumpkin! 712 Courthouse Rd, Stafford, 22554.www.clarksfarmusa.com

The Corn Maze. Sept. 29 – Nov 4 (Fri, Sat, Sun) 10am – 6pm). 5 acre corn maze, barnyard animals, hayrides, pumpkins, picnic area and more. 4501 Old Tavern Rd., The Plains, 20198.www.cornmazeintheplains.com

Cows N Corn. Sept 15 – Oct 28. Corn maze, tour the farm via hayride, learn how to make butter, visit with the animals, pumpkin picking. 5255 Catlett Rd., Midland, 22728. 540-439-4806.www.cows-n-corn.com

Cox Farms. Open Sept 29 – Oct 31 from 10am – 6pm. Hayrides, 5 giant slides, farm animals, rope swing, kid zone, pumpkins and more. 5621 Braddock Rd, Centreville, 20120. www.coxfarms.com

Great Country Farms. Sept 29 – Oct 28; 9am – 6pm. Come pick your pumpkins, visit the pumpkin princess, cheer for your favorite pig as they race around the track, and watch P-Rex as he chomps on pumpkins! 18780 Foggy Bottom Rd, Bluemont, VA. www.greatcountryfarms.com

Liberty Mills Farm. Sept. 15 – Nov. 4. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, games and more. 9166 Liberty Mills Rd., Somerset, 22972. www.libertymillsfarm.com

Miller Farms Market. Opens mid-September. Free hayrides to and from the pumpkin patch. 12101 Orange Plank Rd., Locust Grove, 22508. 540-972-2680. www.millerfarmsmarket.com

Mt. Olympus Berry Farm. Pumpkin patch and hayrides. 23298 Jeff Davis Hwy, Ruther Glen, 22546. 804-448-0395. www.mtolympusfarm.com/home.html

Round Hill Farm. A tractor-drawn hayride carries your family or group to the Pumpkin Patch. Pick-your-own or select from pre-picked pumpkins at the farms open-air market. Other activities include the barnyard petting-zoo with more than 30 farm animals, two hay bale mazes, a corn maze, rope swings, kiddie zip line, pony rides, and picnic area. The farm is open to the public on weekends from October 1st to October 31, 3pm -6pm on weekdays and 10 am to 5 pm on weekends . 6347 Everona Rd., Culpeper, 22701. www.round-hill-farm.com

Snead’s Asparagus Farm. Open daily. This working farm has a huge pumpkin patch for pick your own. Other activities include, pedal tractors, rope swings in the barn, hayrides, farm animals, and a picnic area. Admission is FREE on weekdays; you pay for your pumpkin only. Admission on weekends is $10 per car. 18294 Tidewater Tr, F’burg, 22408. 540-371-1070. www.sneadsfarm.com

Ticonderoga Farms. Open Daily: 9am – 6pm. Hayrides to pick your own pumpkins, cow train, petting zoo, moon bounce, swings, tee-pee hut play, antique tractors and more! 26469 Ticonderoga Rd., Chantilly, 20152. 703-327-4424. www.ticonderoga.com

Westmoreland Berry Farm. Oct 1 – 31. 9am – 5pm. Pick your pumpkins in their pumpkin patch. Other activities include a goat walk, playground, picnic area, ice cream shop and more!. Seasonal food items available in the farm store. 1235 Berry Farm Lane, Oak Grove.www.westmorelandberryfarm.com