Hard to believe the winter months are already upon us—boo! With the holiday season about to kick into full gear, what better way to get in the festive spirit than with a little family-friendly Halloween fun? The leaves—now brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange—have begun to fall like pumpkin crates into place near the entrances of our local grocers. So while you help your kids decide on this year’s costume, and maybe even one for yourselves, the BoZone has compiled a list of spooky fun events you can enjoy with friends and family from now through All Hallows’ Eve. Bozeman Health and Kohl’s Cares is set to host the Great Pumpkin Hunt at the Beall Park Recreation Center, Saturday, October 15th from 9am–12pm. Kids can come decorate one of 200 pumpkins while learning how to determine proper portion sizes, read food labels, and prepare and store food safely. They also will receive pumpkin recipe cards! This event is free and open to all and will go on rain or shine. Pumpkin painting is available on a first come, first serve basis only.
The Montana Parent Annual Halloween Costume Swap will take place on Saturday, October 15th from 10am–2pm at the Gallatin Valley Mall. Please bring your gently used costumes to exchange. The Swap cannot accept torn or dirty costumes. Please only bring items you would want yourself. The Swap typically receives a surplus of baby costumes and requests attendees bring older youth and adult costumes. This free event attempts to provide costumes to those in need who may not be able to afford it.
A Family Grossology Halloween Party is set for Saturday, October 29th from 2–5pm at the Museum of the Rockies. Wear your best costume and create disgusting concoctions like slime. Play with the “microscope-on-a-rope” and check out what your scabs look like on the big screen.
Enjoy spooky Halloween stories, creepy crawlies from Montana Outdoor Science School, and experiments with the Children’s Museum of Bozeman, MSU’s Undergraduate Chemistry Society, and Society of Physics Students. All events are included with Museum admission. Anderson School’s 2016 Haunted House of Phobias will be open Friday and Saturday, October 28th and 29th. Those more easily frightened may attend the “lights on” version from 5:30–7pm. The lights go out from 7–11pm for the brave. Admission is $5 per person or $10 for a fast pass. All proceeds benefit the Anderson 8th grade class trip to Washington D.C. and New York City. The Haunted House is located at the Little Red School House, five miles south of Huffine (across the street from Anderson School).
Belgrade’s National Honor Society will host a Haunted House & Carnival on Friday and Saturday, October 28th and 29th at Belgrade High School. The “lights off ” haunted house takes place from 8–11:30pm on Friday. The carnival will take place from 3–11:30pm on Saturday. The haunted house will run with its “lights on” from 3–6pm before returning to “lights off ” mode from 6–11:30pm. Come and have some scary fun and support Gallatin Valley Food Bank!
Two cans of food will grant entry, or $5 for adults and $3 for students. Please bring additional cans for the individual carnival games. Donations are encouraged! All this leads up to what most kids would argue is the main event, Trick or Treating! Families and friends are invited to do some Downtown Trick or Treating on Monday, October 31st from 4–6pm. Join local businesses for a safe way to enjoy traditional trick or treating in beautiful Downtown Bozeman. Over 150 businesses welcome kids and families with candy and Halloween decorations! Hot drinks will be available outside the Downtown Visitor’s Center at 8 East Main Street. Malloween Trick or Treating will also be held on Monday, October 31st from 5–7pm. Forget the thermal underwear and winter jacket, children of all ages can enjoy a safe and warm indoor trick-or-treating throughout the Gallatin Valley Mall. Join in for trick-or-treating at participating retailers, free family photos in Macy’s Court, and tons of fun and costumes!
Tick or Treat Off the Street is set for Monday, October 31st from 5–8pm at Lowe’s off of 19th Ave. Every little ghost and goblin is invited to safely trick or treat in the different departments throughout the store. You bring the tricksters, they’ll provide the treats! Preschool to 6th grade children are welcome, but parents must accompany children. This is a rain or shine indoor event. Kids don’t get to have all the fun! There are plenty of adult-oriented, Halloween-themed events happening throughout Bozeman this season. Look through this issue of the BoZone for further details. •
