Punkin’ Chunkin’ & the Arboretum festival start this weekend. Here are other Halloween events not to miss
Halloween is quickly approaching and Centre County is rolling out all the stops (and spooks) for the young and young at heart alike, with a bevy of events through the remainder of the month. Many are free to enjoy and more than a few benefit a good cause.
Here’s a look at what you can check out in the days and weeks ahead:
2021 Pumpkin Festival at The Arboretum at Penn State
When: 6-9 p.m. Friday and 3-9 p.m. Saturday
What: The Arboretum at Penn State’s 2021 Pumpkin Festival lights up the night this weekend, with the annual jack-o’-lantern display starting at 6 p.m. Friday. The two-night event extends through Saturday with food vendors, live music and activities and crafts on the second night.
Take a look at the festive pumpkins carved by Centre County community members and pick out your favorites, as you speculate which will take home top prizes such as Best in Show, Best Penn State Theme and Best Pop Culture Theme at the end of the weekend. Bring a flashlight and be sure to check out the Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden cave, where the seasonal decor includes paintings only visible after dark, when the cave’s black lights illuminate an owl in flight, headless horseman, howling wolf and dragon.
Info: arboretum.psu.edu
Howard Fire Company’s 10th Annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
What: For more pumpkin fun, visit Bald Eagle State Park for the Howard Fire Company’s annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival. But don’t expect to see many festively carved pumpkins here. Instead, the gourds are sent flying over the lake, courtesy of nine teams competing with their home-built machinery.
Beyond watching the pumpkin chunking competition, the event also includes children’s activities, a raffle with gift baskets, hayrides, a pie-eating contest and craft and food vendors. If you want to try your own hand at launching a pumpkin through the skies, mini launchers will be available for public use.
The event is the primary fundraiser for the Howard Volunteer Fire Company. Admission and parking are free.
Info: www.facebook.com/HowardFireCompanyFallPunkinChunkinFestival
Professional Pumpkin Carving at Way Fruit Farm
When: 3-7 p.m. Oct. 22 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 23
What: The pumpkin-themed festivities continue later in the month at Way Fruit Farm, where crowds can likewise come out in the support of a good cause. The event will include pumpkin-carving demonstrations from Food Network-featured Eric Jones, as well as others. After the demonstrations, the professionally-carved pumpkins will be sold to attendees and proceeds will benefit Way Fruit Farm’s nonprofit, A Way to Help. Of course, while out at the farm, be sure to enjoy all the quintessential fall goodies available for purchase, from cozy baked goods and fresh apples to autumnal decor and cider.
Info: www.wayfruitfarm.com
State College YMCA Trunk or Treat
When: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 22
What: Start the trick-or-treating fun early, with the State College YMCA’s Trunk or Treat event, presented in partnership with the Youth Service Bureau. Taking place at the State College YMCA, families are invited to come out and enjoy not only some Halloween candy, but also activities and games for the kids.
Info: www.ymcaofcentrecounty.org/event/trunk-or-treat-state-college
CRPR’s 75th Annual Halloween Costume Parade
When: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26
What: Centre Region Parks & Recreation celebrates a big milestone, with its 75th annual costume parade. Following a slightly altered event last year as a pandemic-related safety precaution, the parade is back to its previous format, taking place downtown and ending at Memorial Field.
Participants can line up on Burrowes Avenue between College and Beaver avenues. Registration is not required for the free event, but upon arrival, you should line up within your costume category. Categories include Cutest; Scariest; Look-A-Like (characters, superheroes, TV stars, sports folks); Unique & Original; Funniest; Pets on Parade; Groups and Duos. Prizes and candy are provided by the State College Lions Foundation.
Info: www.crpr.org/special-events
Art After Hours: Halloween Spectacular at the Palmer Museum of Art
When: 5-8 p.m. Oct. 28
What: For a little mid-week Halloween fun, art aficionados should head to the Palmer Museum of Art on Penn State’s campus to “solve macabre mysteries, partake in a ghostly gallery tour and create a ghoulish monster.” The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a Halloween-themed performance, followed by gallery tours and costume judging. Art-inspired costumes are highly encouraged and separate prizes are awarded for adults and children under 15.
Info: arts.psu.edu/events/art-after-hours-3rd-annual-halloween-spectacular
Talleyrand Fall Fest & Annual Halloween Parade
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 30
What: The Talleyrand Fall Fest & Annual Halloween Parade, presented by the Bellefonte Sunrise Rotary, provides tons of fun for attendees of all ages. It all kicks off at Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte with children’s games and activities, inflatables, hayrides, raffles and more. The Bellefonte Community Band will be providing entertainment for the day and a tasting tent offers some adult fun. The tent will offer tastings from several wineries, breweries and distilleries, while playing college football on a 75-inch television. A $10 wristband gives attendees access to all the kids’ activities, while the adult tasting tent activities are $5.
Info: www.bellefonte.com/event/fall-festival-halloween-parade
Trick or Trot 5K Fun Run
When: 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Oct. 31
What: Log a few miles before chowing down on the Halloween candy. The Bellefonte YMCA is hosting its Trick or Trot 5K Fun Run in partnership with Big Spring Spirits. Runs will start in four waves, beginning at 8:30 a.m., with the last wave of runners departing at 10 a.m. Costumes are encouraged and prizes are awarded for crowd favorites, most original costume and best group costume. The family-friendly event starts at $15 per participant and participants 21 and older will receive a free Big Spring Spirits cocktail after the event.
Info: www.ymcaofcentrecounty.org/event/trick-or-trot-5k
Halloween Hustle 5K ACRES Project Costume Run
When: 11 a.m. Oct. 31
What: Think you can handle two races in one day? The ACRES Project, a nonprofit that aims to increase independence and quality of life for adults with autism, is hosting a Halloween Hustle 5K costume run and walk, starting at Sidney Friedman Park in downtown State College on Halloween morning.
The family-friendly (and pet-friendly!) event invites costumed participants to walk, jog or run at their own pace. Participants will receive race T-shirts and candy and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes and fundraising milestones.
Info: runsignup.com/acreshalloweenhustle