FOLIOby BY KELLIE ABRAHAMSON ?
The weather may be getting cooler, but entertainment on the First Coast is heating up. Though technically autumn has been upon us for a couple of weeks, October is when the fall fun really starts. Whether you’re looking for horrific haunts or kid-friendly happenings, an all-day music fest or an all-night party, you’re bound to find it and so much more right here in the greater Jacksonville area. Read on to plan how you’ll celebrate the season!
Haunts
The Dungeons Haunted Attractions presents The Hoard (Green Cove Springs, www.thedungeons-ha.com) • Select nights through October 31, 7 pm-midnight • According to legend (and the attraction’s website), when authorities went to investigate this extreme case of hoarding, only one man made it out alive, and he was driven insane by what he experienced. Just what did he see? This brand new haunt lets visitors wander through the nightmarish collection. Patrons may re-enter at the end of the night for photo ops, so keep your wristband! Admission: $15/general, $25/VIP Scream Pass
The Haunting of School House 4 by Pandemic Haunted Attractions (Mandarin, www.pandemichauntedattractions.com) • Select nights and times through November 2 • Adding a dash of local legend to their backstory, Pandemic’s new haunt is an homage to the “Most Haunted Place in Jacksonville,” School House Number Four. Creepy classrooms, the infamous boiler room and a psychotic principal are just some of the highlights. Admission: $18/Thursdays & Sundays, $20/Fridays & Saturdays, $30/Cutter R.I.P. Pass
Haunt Nights at Adventure Landing (Jacksonville Beach, www.hauntnights.com) • Select nights and times through November 2 • Adventure Landing boasts three haunts this year: the crazed clown madness of CarnieVille, a horrific look at a radiation-filled future in Apocalypse 3D and a nod to Sweeney Todd in Dark Fables. Admission: $12.99/one haunt, $18.99/all three haunts, $22.99/all haunts plus an attraction
Woodley Special Effects presents Massacre in the River City at Atticus Bar (Downtown, www.facebook.com/woodleyspecialeffects) • October 18, 9 pm • Atticus will host the party from hell this year, featuring an immersive haunted house as well as live music, a burlesque show, horror art, monster-inspired goodies and more. The fear gets kicked up a notch after 2 am when the haunt goes extreme–less lighting, more intense scares and the “no touching” rule gets thrown out the window. This is an 18 and up event. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Children’s Miracle Network. Admission: $10/regular event, $15/extreme haunt, $20/combo ticket
Field of Screams at Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres (Hilliard, www.conners-a-maize-ing-acres.com) • October 24-26, 6-10 pm • The normally kid-friendly locale gets a heart-pounding facelift for three nights this fall. Guests will test their will to survive as they wander through the cornfield in the dead of night. Who knows what terrors lurk in the dark? Admission: $13/ages 5-64, $10/seniors
Family-Friendly
Art Walk: Oktoberfest (Downtown, jacksonvilleartwalk.com) • October 2, 5-11 pm • This month Art Walk pays tribute to Germany’s world-famous festival Oktoberfest with a biergarten block party featuring seasonal and local brews, live oompah music, delish German-inspired eats and much more.
Kingsley Plantation Harvest Day (Northside, www.nps.gov/timu/planyourvisit/events_kingsley.htm) • October 5, 10 am-4 pm • Marking the end of the harvest season at Kingsley Plantation, this event will include demonstrations of plantation activities, including cooking, carpentry, blacksmithing, and the harvest of Sea Island cotton and indigo. Families are invited to help with tasks such as butter churning, cotton ginning and producing indigo dye.
Jacksonville Farmers’ Market’s 75th Anniversary (Westside, jaxfarmersmarket.com) • October 11-13, 10 am-4 pm • Celebrate 75 years of this unique outdoor market with live entertainment, a kids’ zone, food trucks, exhibits and much more.
Haunted Forest at the Catty Shack Ranch (Northside, www.cattyshack.org) • Select nights October 11-19 • The Catty Shack’s annual Halloween event features something for everyone. Kiddies will enjoy crafts, games, face painting and, of course, candy. Grown-ups and big kids can get their scare on at the Haunted Forest Trail. Everyone will love strolling through the sanctuary to visit all the animals. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Admission: $10/adults, $5/children 3-11 and free/babies under 3
World Zombie Day Walk (Downtown, www.jaxzombiewalk.com/info.htm) • October 12, 2-7 pm • The undead will invade downtown Jacksonville for a family-friendly event benefitting the Second Harvest Food Bank. Bring two cans of non-perishable food or personal hygiene items and join the horde at Midtown Deli & Café. At 2 pm, enjoy food and drinks, music, costume contests and vendors. The walk begins promptly at 4 pm.
River City Pride Parade (Riverside/Avondale, www.rivercitypride.com/parade) • October 12, 3-6 pm • This annual event begins at Boone Park, runs through Riverside and ends at Riverside Park/5 Points Business District. Celebrate by being part of the parade, or simply show your support from the sidelines.
Yappy Hour: HOWL-o-Ween at the Landing (Downtown, www.jacksonvillelanding.com) • October 13, 2-5 pm • This Halloween bash for dogs and their owners includes trick-or-TREATing, a pet expo, games, prizes, drink specials and the First Coast’s biggest K-9 costume contest.
Horrorfest: A Pop Up Art Event at Pomade & Tonic Social Club (Westside, www.facebook.com/LOCALARTISTSCOMINGTOGETHER) • October 13, 5-9 pm • Local Artists Coming Together (LACT) presents a collection of works centered on the grotesque. Expect horror art by local artists, a zombie costume contest, food by Gourmet Aviator, a screening of the local indie flick Kitty, Kitty and door prizes. Please bring a minimum of one non-perishable food item to be donated to Second Harvest.
Haunted Trail of Middleburg (Middleburg, www.facebook.com/pages/Haunted-Trail-of-Middleburg/132879286817721) • Select nights October 18-26, dusk-11 pm • Benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the event features an all-ages fun zone with games as well as a scary stroll through a haunted trail. Admission: $4
Jacksonville Zoo’s Spooktacular (Northside, spooktacular.jacksonvillezoo.org) • Select nights October 18-31, 6:30-10 pm • Now in its 26th year, this family favorite includes trick-or-treating, music, food, giant slides, bounce houses, hundreds of pumpkins and three scare zones for those who dare to enter. Admission: $10/non-members, $8/members
Halloween Doors & More at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds (Downtown, communityhospice.com/For-Donors-and-Volunteers/Foundation-Events/HalloweenDoorsMore.aspx) • October 19, 3-8 pm • An annual fundraiser benefitting Community PedsCare, this event features a trip to the Groovy Goblin Family Disco, a spooktacular make-over at the Emerald City Salon, a dreamlike journey into Alice’s Adventure, a magical voyage through Harry’s Wizarding World, plenty of gourmet food and much more. Individual tickets and sponsorships are available online at the event’s website.
Moonlight Madness Camp-In at MOSH (Southbank, www.themosh.org) • October 19, 6:30 pm • MOSH’s Halloween-themed camp-in invites families to spend the night at the museum as they enjoy activities such as ghostly flashlight tours, a mad science show, creepy crafts and a Halloween Cosmic Concert in the planetarium. Campers will also watch a movie and have free time to explore the museum. Admission: $35 per person (includes a late-night pizza snack and continental breakfast)
Creatures of the Night at the Alligator Farm (St. Augustine, www.alligatorfarm.com) • Select nights from October 25-31, 5:30-7 pm • The nocturnal fun includes candy, creepy creature experiences and more. There will also be an alligator feeding show, a drawing for annual passes, costumed animal keepers and a chance to wander the wild walkways. Admission: $9/adults, $7/children
Dogtoberfest at Metropolitan Park (Downtown, www.fcnmhp.org/events/dogtoberfest) • October 26, 11 am-3 pm • Benefitting First Coast No More Homeless Pets, general admission includes the Ultimate Air Dogs dock diving show, doggy costume contests, music and more. VIP access includes all that plus a trick-or-treating walk with your four-legged friend, goodie bag with t-shirt and free refreshments in the VIP area. Admission: free/general admission, $25/VIP
18th Annual Ancient City Kids Day (Francis Field-St. Augustine, epicbh.org/ancientcitykidsday.html) • October 26, 11 am-3 pm • During this free, community celebration, parents and kids will enjoy games, arts & crafts, live entertainment, a non-profit resource fair and more.
Thrill the World at Beaches Town Center (Neptune Beach, www.thrilltheworld.com) • October 26, 5 pm • Zombies from all over the globe will attempt a world record by dancing simultaneously to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’ Our local event will be held on the beach. Join the Facebook group (www.facebook.com/groups/thrilltheworldjacksonville) for info on practice sessions and more. See our story on page 10!
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s Symphonic Spooktacular (Jacoby Symphony Hall-Downtown, www.jaxsymphony.org) • October 27, 3 pm • A fun, Halloween concert filled with thrills, chills, and the acrobatic artistry of Vladimir Tsarkov and Alina Sergeeva, who have performed with Cirque de la Symphonie. Tickets: $8-$24
Grown-Up Fun
River City Haunts Ghost Tour (Downtown, www.adlibtours.com)
Fridays beginning October 4, 8-9:30 pm • This brand new walking tour gives you a look at the darker side of Jacksonville with tales told by local ghosts. Hear why the spirits haunt our city from the first settler of Downtown, Lewis Zachariah Hogans. Tours begin at the Jacksonville Landing. Tickets: $20
Factory’s 7th Annual Zombie Night at The Norm (Westside, www.facebook.com/FactoryJax) • October 12, 9 pm-2 am • The first of its kind for Jacksonville, Factory’s annual zombie-themed party has become a World Zombie Day tradition. The event features a brain eating contest, burlesque shows, music and more.
Oktoberfest 2013 at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre (St. Augustine, www.staugamphitheatre.com) • October 19, 6-10 pm • Celebrate the love of beer, live local music and food at this event, now in its fifth year. Expect German-inspired food from neighboring restaurants, more than a hundred types of beers from various breweries and live music from Papercutt and 32oz. to Freedom. General admission: $20/advance, $25/at door; VIP admission (early entry): $25/advance, $30/at door
MOSH After Dark: Rocky Horror Picture Show (Southbank, www.themosh.org) • October 24, 6 pm • Get your time warp on at this unique screening of the cult classic, shown in the planetarium. Admission: $20/non-members, $15/members
Jacksonville Jaycees Crawl of Terror Pub Crawl (Riverside, www.jacksonvillejaycees.org/calendar.html) • October 26, 3 pm-10 pm • This charity costume pub crawl will raise funds for community improvement through the Jacksonville Jaycees Community Foundation. Participants will check-in at The Garage, then drink their way down King Street with stops at Dahlia’s Pour House, Park Place, Rouge and The Loft. Entry: $10 (includes drink specials all night and entry in the costume contest)
Halloween Party at the Casket Factory (Downtown, www.jaxhistory.com) • October 26, 8 pm-1 am • The Jacksonville Historical Society will stage this Halloween bash at the Casket Factory, a mysterious old brick building on the edge of downtown, thought by many to be haunted. The party will include live bands, food and drinks, dancing, a costume contest and a frightful Labyrinth of Terror. Admission: $48.50 (includes two drink tickets)
Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Florida Theatre (Downtown, www.floridatheatre.com) • October 26, 8 pm • Get in the Halloween spirit with this special screening of the infamous Rocky Horror Picture Show. Bring your costumes, bring your props (no meat, please), and come early for live music. Admission: $15.50
North Florida’s Biggest Halloween Party at the Landing (Downtown, www.jacksonvillelanding.com)• October 31, 8 pm-1 am • This Halloween bash features live music on the Courtyard Stage, giveaways, drink specials and a costume contest with a $1,000 cash prize.
Florida Theatre Halloween Paranormal Tour (Downtown, www.floridatheatre.com) • October 31, 9 pm •
Join Steve Christian, Pamela Theresa and the team from CW17’s Local Haunts for a special Halloween tour of the 86-year-old Florida Theatre. Admission: $43. See our story on page 8!
Corn Mazes
Amazing Grace Crop Maze (Green Cove Springs, agcropmaze.com) • Select times on Fridays & Saturdays from October 4-November 2 • In addition to the maze, attractions include a cow train, rubber duck races, hay rides, a mini hay bale maze, a pumpkin patch and more. Admission: $11/ages 4 and up
Skye’s & Cooper Farms Corn Maze (Elkton, www.sycofarms.com) • Select times on Friday-Sunday from October 5-November 3 • In addition to the nine-acre maze, attractions include a pumpkin patch, produce market, hay rides, a cow train, kids’ play area, farm animals, the “Corn Popper” and more. Admission: $9/ages 3 and up
Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres (Hilliard, www.conners-a-maize-ing-acres.com) • Saturdays from October 5-November 9, 10 am-6 pm • In addition to the maze, attractions include a petting zoo, corn cannons, a cow train, games, life-sized Lincoln Logs, playgrounds, a pumpkin patch and more. Admission: $13/ages 5-64, $10/seniors, $10/ages 2-4
Halloween-Themed Runs
Monster Mash Dash (Jacksonville Fairgrounds-Downtown, communityhospice.com/For-Donors-and-Volunteers/Foundation-Events/MonsterMashDash.aspx) • October 18, 6 pm •This fun-filled event includes a one-mile fun run followed by a 5K race. It will also feature a costume contest, a restaurant village of food, adult beverages, children’s activities, entertainment by the Boogie Freaks and more. Proceeds from this race benefit Community PedsCare.
Kids Fitness Zombie Chase (Jacksonville Landing-Downtown, www.kidsfitnesszombiechase.com) • October 20, 9 am-3 pm • On this one mile course, kids ages 5-15 will run from start to finish while trying to avoid being “bitten” (stickered) by the zombies that roam the course. All participants will receive race swag. Proceeds benefit the Shannon Miller Foundation. Registration: $20
Monster Dash & Creepy Crawl (St. Augustine, www.havenhospice.org/monsterdashandcreepycrawl.aspx) • October 26, 9 am • Now in its second year, this race features a 5K and kids fun run at Butler Park in St. Augustine. Don’t forget to wear a costume to participate in the costume contest at the after party, which will also feature live music, food, drinks, expo booths, an awards ceremony and more. Proceeds benefit Haven Hospice. Registration and sponsorship information can be found at the event website.
Evergreen Pumpkin Run (Metro North, www.1stplacesports.com) • October 27, 8 am • Racers can choose to run a 5K or a 10-mile, pumpkin-lined course through the cemetery and along Winona Drive. Registered runners will receive admission to the post-race celebration and one of the pumpkins that lined the course. Don’t forget to dress to impress for the costume contest! Register online or in person at any 1st Place Sports store.
October Festivals
Jaxtober Fest (Jacksonville Shipyards-Downtown, jaxtoberfest.com) • October 11-12, 3-10 pm• This inaugural, brew-centric celebration will bring together the best of Bavaria–from beer and brats to chicken dances and polkas. The event will feature plenty of beer, along with a variety of exciting games and competitions, live entertainment, a 5K and a family-friendly zone for the young and the young at heart. Admission: $8/per day, $40/Saturday VIP access
16th Annual Greek Festival (Francis Field-St. Augustine, www.stauggreekfest.com) • October 11-13 • Greek music, dance and food take center stage at this annual festival. In addition, the celebration includes an outdoor market, carnival rides, games and much more. Admission: $3/ages 13 and up
5th Annual Filipino Pride Celebration at the Landing (Downtown, www.fpdjax.com) • October 19, 10 am-1 pm • The only festival of its kind in Northeast Florida, the event includes live music, traditional dress and dance, cultural performances, kids’ zone, authentic Filipino dishes, giveaways, art exhibit, health screenings and more. The festival is free and open to the public.
Orange Park Fall Festival (Town Hall-Orange Park, www.townoforangepark.com) • October 19-20, 9 am-6 pm & 12-5 pm • This Clay County tradition, now in its 31st year, features two full days of food, fun, crafts, vendors and entertainment.
River City Pride Festival (Riverside Arts Market-Riverside, www.rivercitypride.com) • October 20, 11 am-8 pm • Now in its 34th year, the festival features vendors and live entertainment by performers from a wide variety of genres and cultures. No alcohol will be served during Family Friendly hour, which is from 11 am-noon. The festival is free and open to the public.
Spanish Wine & Food Festival (St. Augustine, www.spanishwinefestival.com) • October 21-26 • Now in its second year, the festival highlights and honors St. Augustine’s Spanish heritage and eclectic history. Featuring an array of events held at a variety of locations, this is a great way to get to know the Oldest City and support local businesses. Proceeds from the festival will benefit three local charities. Visit the event’s website for a look at the schedule and ticket prices.
October Music Festivals
Jacksonville Original Music Festival (Downtown, www.ssa.cc/jax.html) • October 5, 1 pm-2 am • This all-new fest from Songwriters Showcases of America will feature over 125 acts at 14 stages all around downtown Jacksonville. Expect performances by Yankee Slickers, New Day, Askmeificare, Palm Trees & Power Lines, David Pigman, The Ghost Town Cowboys, Mantra, Universal Green and many, many more. Tickets: $10/advance, $15/at the gate
Music on the Hill–Community Music Festival at Tree Hill (Arlington, www.treehill.org) • October 12, 10 am-4 pm • A free, full-day of live music, crafts and much more, this event at the Joseph A. Strasser Amphitheater will feature performances by the Jacksonville Community Band, LaVilla School of the Arts, Northeast Florida Conservatory, the Boathouse Cello Choir, First Coast Clarinet Society, Clay County Community Band and First Coast Pops.
Suwannee Hulaween (Live Oak, suwanneehulaween.com) • October 31-November 1 • Hosted by the String Cheese Incident, this three-day fest at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park will feature music by STS9, Big Gigantic, Emancipator, Conspirator, Steve Kimock & Friends, Suwannee Bluegrass Surprise, Brock Butler, Future Rock, Moon Taxi, Van Ghost, Jennifer Hartswick and Applebutter Express. In the spirit of the season, dazzling lights, art installations and performance art will morph the Spirit Lake waterfront and adjacent forest into a vivid, dream-like space that fully engages the senses. Weekend passes: $189/advance, $220/at the gate; Single day passes: $80
Follow FOLIO!