From scary to slimy: Five things to do for Friday the 13th in Athens area

Mary Renfroe
·2 min read

October has a Friday the 13th year, an event that won’t occur again until 2028, so what better time to celebrate the spooky season than the day known for superstition and fear.

Here are five activities to get you into the spirit and get your scare on this Friday:

FILE - Technical operations director Nick Gould calibrates the projector before a screening at the Ciné Drive-In in Athens, Ga. on Sept. 27, 2022. This year the Shocktoberfest 2023 at Ciné Drive-In is hosted at Southern Brewing Company.
FILE - Technical operations director Nick Gould calibrates the projector before a screening at the Ciné Drive-In in Athens, Ga. on Sept. 27, 2022. This year the Shocktoberfest 2023 at Ciné Drive-In is hosted at Southern Brewing Company.

Shocktoberfest at Ciné Drive-In

This Friday the Ciné drive-in at Southern Brewing Company will be screening Friday the 13th as a part of Shocktoberfest, a showcase of thriller and horror movies chosen by Ciné to play throughout the month of October. The cult horror movie is the first of one of the most well known horror franchises and is the back story for slasher Jason Voorhees. At the drive-in, Concessions On The Move food truck will be selling burgers, hotdogs, fish sandwiches, sides and other items off their menu. Tickets are available for purchase online at athenscine.com, and participants can head to 231 Collins Ind. Blvd. to enjoy the show.

Athens Haunted History Walking Tours

Boasting a rich history, Athens is filled to the brim with tales of haunts, all of which local historian Jeff Clarke has uncovered through his research. On his walking tours, Clarke recounts stories of Athens' afterlife and introduces the ghosts that call the area home. With Clarke’s taste for theatrics, participants are immersed throughout the two-hour tour, which begins at 295 E. Dougherty St. Tickets are available for $20 per person, and availability can be inquired about by calling (706) 521-2556.

This file photo shows a scare actor in character at Zombie Farms in Winterville, Ga.
This file photo shows a scare actor in character at Zombie Farms in Winterville, Ga.

Zombie Farms

Located at 568 Smithonia Rd. in Winterville, Zombie Farms is a haunted walking trail that was co-created by locals Cynthia and Patrick MacDonald in 2012. Beginning as a zombie preserve, the trail’s theme changes every year, promising new scares and scenes for participants to enjoy. This year's theme is titled “The Demon of Duskridge Mine,” and tickets are available at zombiefarms.com.

The shadows from the giant corn maze at Washington Farms in Bogart, Ga., on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021.
The shadows from the giant corn maze at Washington Farms in Bogart, Ga., on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021.

Washington Farms

The 6.5-acre corn maze at Washington Farms is open for the season and will have special nighttime hours for Friday the 13th, staying open until 10:30 p.m. With the late hours, participants can try their hand at the maze after the sun sets, tackling the endless twists and turns in the dark. The design for this year’s maze is Gem Mining, accompanied by a new mining activity for kids. Located at 5691 Hog Mountain Rd., other activities include the pumpkin patch, mega slide, jumping pillows, and cow trains. Tickets are available at washingtonfarms.net.

FILE - Sandy Creek Nature Center Offers families a chance to get up close with all sorts of creepy crawlies.
FILE - Sandy Creek Nature Center Offers families a chance to get up close with all sorts of creepy crawlies.

Scary Oozy Slimy Day

Hosted by Sandy Creek Nature Center at 205 Old Commerce Rd., this family friendly event offers an opportunity to conquer fears and celebrate all animals, even the scary, oozy, and slimy. Participants will encounter live animals, games, and activities all along the boardwalk and the Box Turtle Loop Trail. Tickets are available for $3 for residents and $5 for nonresidents at accgovga.myrec.com.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Five things to do for Friday the 13th in Athens including haunted tours