Halloween in the River City

Halloween is a BIG DEAL in the River City. When we moved into our current neighborhood a few years ago, several of our neighbors gave us bags of candy as house-warming gifts. “You’ll need this in a few weeks,” they said as we looked at them beyond confused. Sure enough on October 31, the boys in blue from Decatur PD came and blocked off our cul-de-sac. I thought one Home Depot bucket filled to the top with candy would surely be enough. Nope. Within an hour, I resorted to handing out packs of crackers shoved in my purse by my then-baby and wrapped mints from friends’ weddings. I even gave Keurig pods to the high school kids because I ran out of candy in less than an hour. True story.

Now I know that it takes THREE Home Depot buckets filled with candy to feed the hundreds and hundreds (seriously, hundreds and hundreds) of costume-clad kids who walk my circle on the last day in October. And I’ve also started working out my candy-handing-out arm muscles in July to prepare. It’s the only way.

Because the River City don’t play on Halloween. We party. All. Month. Long.

Homegrown Heritage

October 1 – November 12, 2016
Carnegie Visual Arts Center, 207 Church Street NE, Decatur
FREE (Donations welcomed) | View Website
This unique exhibit brings together local craftsman and artists celebrating art from the natural elements of the land we live on and the pride of maintaining a rich heritage. On display will be the amazing woodworks of the Cochran Family – Keith, Dylan, and Randy. Their unique rocking chairs, porch swings and other fantastically crafted items have been featured in Garden & Gun and can be seen in many a celebrity home. Also enjoy works from Earthborn Studios, Inc., White Rabbit Studios, LLC and Barns & Mills.

Decatur Ghost Walk

Every Saturday in October, 6:00 pm
Starts on the steps of the Old State Bank, Bank Street, Decatur
$10 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under
View Website
There’s good reason I run to my car when I’m out late and walking to my car alone. And by late, these days with a toddler and an infant, I mean 7:30pm. Walk the streets of the River City as you learn about local hauntings from the ghost of our famed riverboat captain, Simp McGhee to the ghosts of Dead Man’s Alley.

Carnegie Carnival Petition

Thursday, October 20, 2016, 7:00 pm
The Magnolia Room, 216 Moulton Street, Decatur
FREE (Open to the public; children welcome)
View Website
Crewes participating in the 2017 Carnegie Carnival will petition reigning Queen Holly Losch and King Wade Dinsmore to once again hold and open the season of Mardi Gras, beginning with Carnegie 12th Night and culminating with the ever-exciting and never-disappointing Carnegie Carnival. Enjoy live skits, music, and acts as the crewes compete for the most coveted parade spot.

3rd Friday Downtown

Friday, October 21, 2016, 5:00 pm
2nd Avenue, Downtown Decatur
FREE | More Info
This is the big finale to the wildly successful 3rd Friday Downtown, 2016 edition. Make sure you bring your entire family and all your friends (even the four-legged variety) for one last Friday of fun on 2nd Avenue. Enjoy live music, craft vendors, food, shopping and a classic car show. Stop by the Magnolia Room on Moulton Street just off 2nd Avenue for a special 3rd Friday chili cook-off sponsored by The Greater Morgan County Builders Association. Admission for the chili cook-off is $5 at the door for unlimited chili samples.

7th Annual Lee Lott Power of Pink Walk

Presented by the Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation in Honor of Deb Blackmon
Sunday, October 23, 2106
Activities begin at noon; walk starts at 2pm
Founder’s Park Amphitheatre, Bank/Church Street intersection, Decatur
$20 to register for the walk (includes a t-shirt)
View Website | 256-973-2187
Join Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation as participants honor Deb Blackmon, a longtime hospital employee and supporter of the event who is also a breast cancer survivor. There will be children’s activities, music, entertainment, food vendors, non-food vendors and of course, the one-mile walk through historic downtown Decatur. Wear pink and help the Foundation raise money for hospital breast health services and cancer programs.

Hartselle Hay Day

Friday, October 28, 5pm to 8pm
Downtown Hartselle | FREE
The city of Hartselle will close historic Main Street for this fantastic evening of free family fun and festivities. Wear your costume and trick-or-treat at downtown businesses whose storefronts will be decorated for a Candy Stroll. Enjoy hay rides, inflatables, entertainment, live music, games, and more! Did I mention that it’s all FREE?! At 8pm, the movie “Woodlawn” will be playing outdoors at Earthpark. In case of rain, the movie will be shown inside Life Church, which will also be hosting a costume contest for the kids.

Decatur’s Trunk or Treat

Presented by Decatur Parks and Recreation
Friday, October 28, 2016, 6pm to 9pm
Point Mallard Park, Decatur | View Website
Admission: 2 canned goods per person
Bring the whole family to this fall-themed event where children can collect candy in a safe environment. Enjoy costume contests, prizes, games and concessions.

Halloween Hoot

Saturday, October 29, 2016, 11am to 3pm
The Brick, 112 Moulton Street E, Downtown Decatur
FREE (Donations to Everyday Sunshine accepted at the door)
View Website
Hands down my absolute favorite event of the season. Tangerine Tamborine will play their eclectic covers just for kids, all while raising money for Everyday Sunshine, a non-profit that brings joy to the hospital rooms of children who are disabled and/or hospitalized for long term care. Kids will dance and laugh in their costumes and parents will have a blast. Sheer joy will radiate through The Brick. I promise this event is not to be missed.

Downtown Decatur Spooktacular

Saturday, October 29, 2016, 12pm to 6pm
Moulton Street and 2nd Avenue, Downtown Decatur
FREE | More Info
New to Decatur, this downtown street festival that will include a children’s costume parade and contest, a dog costume contest, a zombie walk, and a blood drive.

Legless Corpse Film Festival

Saturday and Sunday, October 29-30, 2016
The Princess Theatre, 112 2nd Avenue NE, Decatur
Tickets from $5.50 to $15 (with a portion donated to The Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders)
View Website
Scary movies in a historic theatre sounds like the making of a great horror plot line. Enjoy over 30 horror flicks, live makeup demonstrations, a decapitated head kissing booth, vendors, special guests and more. The first 100 tickets pre-ordered will receive a free DVD and poster. Book your babysitter and get ready for this month’s featured Date Night.

3rd Annual Bacon + Brew

Presented by the Junior League of Morgan County
Saturday, October 29, 2016, 7:00 pm
City View Barn, 2813 Old Moulton Road, Decatur
$30 includes dinner + two brew tickets | More Info
Ladies will have no trouble getting their men out of the house to party geared toward the dudes and benefitting the projects of the Junior League of Morgan County – The Decatur Morgan Hospital Mammography Center and Parents and Children Together (PACT). Enjoy a bacon-themed dinner, craft beer, and live entertainment by Lamont Landers. A silent auction will feature a man-centric silent auction.

Please join us for some spooky fall family fun in the River City this October. I’ll be back next month with your River City guide to the holidays. Be safe on Halloween and enjoy this gorgeous weather!

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Andrea Stewart

Andi Stewart is a Decatur-native, who spent over a decade living in Miami. She finally returned home, married a boy she’s known since childhood, and loves raising her family in the hometown she adores. She has two children, a son and a daughter. She’s a professional Environmental Engineer who balances a full-time career with motherhood. She’s run more marathons than she can count (mostly because she really enjoys eating) and she loves her daily barre class and traveling. She is passionate about her River City community and when she’s not volunteering, she’s enjoying all her city has to offer.