This time of year brings out the kid in all of us, so if you're ready for some good old-fashioned Halloween fun, you've got a lot to choose from this weekend!

If you’re looking for a fun place for your kids to do some trick-or-treating this year, all you need to do is head to Uptown Columbus for the 9th Annual Spooktacular Halloween Celebration this Saturday from 5:00-7:00PM in the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Broadway! Tons of kids show up for this each year and we all have a good time. Not only is there trick-or-treating in a safe and controlled environment…with a mountain of candy to be given away…the CSU Student Government Association will have lots of different activities going on in the media of Broadway, and there will be a Costume Contest kicking off at 6:15 (sign up between 5:00-6:00PM) on the stage and the winners in each category will get a really cool goody-basket! And the best part, this event is absolutely free. (706.596.0111)

OK, so we have to interrupt the Halloween festivities for just a bit to tell you about another big holiday that will be here before you know it…Christmas…so carve out some time this weekend to head to the Convention & Trade Center (Front Ave) for Christmas Made In The South ! I know a lot of folks who not only start their holiday shopping at this event, but you find so many cool gift ideas, that a lot of people finish their shopping as well! One reason the shopping is so good is that it features more than 400 master artists and craftsmen displaying and demonstration their handmade holiday creations. It's going on Friday from 10:00AM-8:00PM, Saturday from 10:00AM-6:00PM, and Sunday from 11:00AM-5:00PM. Admission is $6, kids 12 & under get in free.

Now, back to Halloween…
It’s only fitting that one of the scariest movies of all time is being shown in one of the most haunted places in the country! I'm getting goose-bumps just thinking about this…Sunday night, the Springer Opera House (which is said to be crawling with ghosts) is showing none other than “Psycho” this starting at 7:30p. This should be quite a show! Admission is $10. (706) 327.3688

As usual, the folks over at The Rock Ranch have come up with some wacky stuff to do for Halloween with their “Not-So-Spooky” Halloween Fest this Saturday (10:00AM-9:00PM). They’ll have pumpkin carving and painting, a costume contest and parade, there are trick-or-treat stations all over the ranch—including Tiny Town, a new 14-building children's playhouse village, an amazing magic show performed by a professional magician and all the usual fun stuff they have going on during the Fall Family Fun Weekend. But the one thing that sounds like CRAZY fun…they have this amazing corn maze for you to try and find your way thru…and here’s the kicker…at 7:30, they’ll turn off the lights in the maze and you have to find your way thru using just a flashlight!! Oh, somebody hold my hand…. Admission is $14, ages 3 and under get in free. (706.647.6374)

If you want to go to the next level as far as getting your ‘scare’ on this Halloween, then put on your walking shoes and join in the Ghost Walk with Southern Odysseys! Thursday thru Sunday night, you can walk the path of the spirit realm. Hear about unexplained murders, haunted houses, and accidental death as well as the ghosts that still haunt the river's edge. In this 
spell-binding tour you will glimpse one of America's Most Haunted buildings - the Springer Opera House. You’ll also hear the bizarre story of The Lady on the River, and learn about the good ghost that saves lives in the historic district. Be ready to be scared—you don’t know what may be lingering in the dark! Lasts about 1 ½ hours and covers about a mile. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Meet at the Marriott Hotel Lobby (Front Ave) at 8:30PM. Admission is $13 (cash only) and they even have a special for Halloween Week tours—come in costume and get $2 off! (706.225.8888)

Lots of 1850’s-style autumn celebrations going on at Westville ! Activities like cotton gin operating, sugar cane syrup being made, candle making, soap making, hay stacking, corn shelling, games from the past and LOTS of country cooking! Thursday-Saturday. Admission: $8-$10. Westville is located in Lumpkin, GA (about 45 minutes south of Columbus). 888.733.1850

Want to find out more about these events or see what else is going on in and around Columbus, GA? Check out the Community Calendar to make plans for a great weekend.

Now, go have some spooky Halloween fun!

shelby