For those parents out there trying to keep the children away from too many sweets, there is the Autumn Arts Carnival at The Arts Center, located at 700 SW Madison Ave.
From 12:00-4:00 p.m. on October 28, come bring the family to celebrate the changing of the season with arts activities, apple cider, and community. This event is free.
For those not as worried about the kids having candy…
Halloween is upon us!
And there are several things to do that will thrill, chill, and rot your teeth out. Here we go…
Friday, October 28, from 4:00-8:00 p.m., head over to the Pastega Tunnel at the Benton County Fairgrounds, located at SW 53rd St., Corvallis, for the Drive Thru Trick-or-Treat Tunnel – hosted by the Rotary Club of Greater Corvallis. Dress up the kiddaroonies for the Halloween themed event including characters who will bring all the Ooo’s and Ahhh’s and will hand each kid a bag of candy at the end – all while you’re safe and warm in your car. Automobiles only please. And while the event is free, please do register so they have an idea of head count.
Saturday, October 29, at 3:00 p.m., bring the little ones over to the Whiteside, located at 361 SW Madison Ave., to see “Hotel Transylvania.” This animated movie – rated PG – is all about what happens when an unsuspecting vampire falls for a regular ole human hiker. It’s the first in the series, and a bunch of fun. Find tickets and more details here.
Saturday, October 29, from 2:00-5:00 p.m., is Downtown Corvallis Trick-or-Treat time. Getting the kids an extra day of candy is always a win in the parental record books, and this one will be a lot of fun. Come early as this is always a big draw. Find which businesses are joining in on the fun here.
Saturday, October 29, from 4:00-6:00 p.m., join Parks and Rec and the library for their Children’s Halloween Party. The party will be in the parking lot of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, located at 645 NW Monroe Ave., there will be fun, games, festivities, and more candy… of course.
Monday, October 31, from 3:00-5:00 p.m., for a bit of daylight Halloween-y action bop over to Main St., Philomath for a little Trunk-or-Treat. Arranged by the Philomath Chamber of Commerce and the friendly-happy stores in our neighboring town, this is a great way to maybe find new places to go and to get the kids warmed up – or cooled down depending on the weather – for the night.
Monday, October 31, from 4:00-6:00 p.m., get a bit more Trick-or-Treating in at Grace Lutheran Church, located at 435 NW 21st St., Corvallis. The church is sponsoring this event where the little monsters and angels and Disney princesses can wander amongst decorated cars in their parking lot and gather candy. Another great and safe way to let your kiddos enjoy the night.
Spooky Movies:
Want to just stay in and have Family Night on Monday? Here are a few Halloween movies you might consider…
“Hocus Pocus” (1993) PG
Streaming on Disney+, available to rent through Amazon Prime Video
Most Millenials will remember this new classic from their own youth, and now they can share it with the next generation. This saga of the Sanderson Sisters as they step out of the 17th Century and right on into the 20th is a fun, family-friendly romp – with an amazing cast.
“Hocus Pocus 2” (2022) PG
Streaming on Disney+
Only 29 years later, the town of Salem is dealing with the Sanderson Sisters again. Share a childhood classic with the kids, then watch the sequel together – there’s even a short prequel for those who have wondered where the Sisters came from. It’ll be a great way to create a family traditional.
Both Hocus Pocus movies have kid-friendly one liners, lessons about friendship and family, and a book that is alive. What more could you ask for?
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966)
Streaming on Apple TV+
Whether it’s Charlie Brown wandering around in his sad, hole-covered sheet and getting rocks instead of candy or Linus sitting in the pumpkin patch hoping to be found worthy by the mysterious Great Pumpkin, most of us have some memory of this classic Halloween special. We all feel for these two boys – even if they are just cartoons.
How much? Well, when this movie first aired, children throughout the US mailed candy to Charlie Brown.
“Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948)
Streaming via Roku
When the Wolf Man chooses to warn someone about Dracula wanting his brain for a monster, then if you know anything about Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, you know who got the news. With the great Bela Lugosi as the blood-sucking, brain-wanting bad guy and Lon Chaney, Jr. as the furry friend, this is a fun way to introduce your children to classic movies.
Dia De Los Muertos:
The end of October leads us to the beginning of November and the celebration and remembrance of those we’ve lost. Whether you have an ofrenda of your own or not, there are a few places you can take the kids to learn about and celebrate the Day of the Dead…
Oregon State University: The Centro Cultural César Chávez and Kaku-Ixt Mana Ina Haws are hosting an ofrenda walkthrough, which is open to the public and will include a chance to make a card with the name of a lost loved one to take home. This free, self-guided experience runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2 at the Kaku-Ixt Mana Ina Haws, located at 311 SW 26th St.
Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center: The CMLC, located at 2638 NW Jackson Ave., will be having a Day of the Dead celebration on Friday, November 4 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Join their community ofrendas by bringing a photo of someone you’ve lost or an item they loved to be included. Then stay to enjoy traditional foods, calaveritas (poetry), and music.
Sugar Worries:
As parents, the fun of Halloween candy holds a separate side – the worry about too much sugar.
If you’re the parent who feels like your kids are Little Red Riding Hoods and sugar is the Big Bad Wolf, the end of October must feel like a very Grimm time. But the experts say you shouldn’t micromanage the candy supply.
Think back to when you were young and your parents wouldn’t let you have something like… let’s use sodapop as an example. Back then, when you got your hands on a cold can of Coca-Cola, you probably chugged it and wanted more and more and more. It’s normal human behavior to go overboard in an unhealthy or binge way when you’re briefly given something otherwise not allowed.
Rather than freaking out watching your child with more candy than you may give them in a year, you need to try for nonchalance. Lean into the joy. You’ll be a better parent if you can try to remember what it felt like to be a kid.
By Sally K Lehman
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