Update: Here are some of the Augusta-area's upcoming Halloween, fall festivities

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
·12 min read

Halloween is one week away, which means scares, screams and plenty of sweets.

There are several opportunities for families to don their costumes and trick-or-treat, catch a scary movie, or just to have a real monster mash. Plus, plenty of classic fall favorites are back, like the Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee and the Maize at Steed's as well as more unique happenings like the “Black Cat Carnival” and the “Mad Hatter Festival” will premiere.

Here are more details on these and other upcoming autumn activities in the area:

FILE - Mike Harrell enjoys the swings at the 2019 Jack O Lantern Jubilee in North Augusta. The jubilee returns Saturday, Oct. 29.
FILE - Mike Harrell enjoys the swings at the 2019 Jack O Lantern Jubilee in North Augusta. The jubilee returns Saturday, Oct. 29.

Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee

After a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, downtown North Augusta's Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee is back Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The 36th annual jubilee will crowd four blocks of Georgia Avenue between Main Street and First Baptist Church.

Families can expect amusement rides, costume contests, inflatables and over 100 vendors offering food, drinks and crafts.

Several live concerts will take place during and leading up to the Jubilee. The Sharon Jones Amphitheater at 1009 Center St. will feature Drake Milligan from "America's Got Talent" on Wednesday, Oct. 26, with local band "Whiskey Run" opening at 6 p.m., "Pure Indigo" on Thursday, "Easily Amused" on Friday, and the jubilee will headline country artist Joe Nichols, known for hits like "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off."

For more information, go to jackolanternjubilee.com.

Trick-or-treating events

The 3rd Annual Trick-or-Treat on Broad Street is 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. More than 30 businesses between 9th and 12th streets will be giving out candy.

Salvation Army Kroc Center of Augusta's fall festival is 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, outside the center at 1833 Broad St. Families can expect trunk-or-treating, face painting, and more. Plus, Air Elite Dunkers at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. as well as an illusionist at 3 and 6 p.m.

Stevens Creek Church's "Harvest Day" is 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, outside the Augusta church at 3358 Peach Orchard Rd. In addition to trunk-or-treat, guests will see hay rides, inflatables, and plenty of food.

Cornerstone Assembly's inaugural "It's Fall, Y'all Festival" takes place 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at 4301 Windsor Spring Rd. in Augusta. There will be trunk-or-treating, inflatables, games and food from Lanier's Meat Market.

Wesley United Methodist Church's "fall festival" is 4:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 outside the Evans church at 825 North Belair Rd. Outside of trunk-or-treating, families can expect carnival games, s'mores and other activities.

South Augusta's "Trunk on the Lump" will bring trunk-or-treating 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, outside Bernie Ward Community Center at 1941 Lumpkin Rd., Augusta. There will also be treats, games, music and a prize for the best decorated trunk.

Timms Harley-Davidson of Augusta's "Boos, Brews & BBQ" is 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the motorcycle shop at 4200 Belair Frontage Rd. There will be trunk-or-treating, live music, free beer, barbecue and cornhole.

Revivify Church's annual Fall block party is noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, outside the Augusta church at 4350 Wheeler Rd. There will be trunk-or-treating, inflatables, a chili cook-off, s'mores and free food.

Church of the Good Shepherd's Halloween party is 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Augusta church at 2230 Walton Way. There will be trick-or-treating, games, hot dogs, chili and a costume contest.

Trinity Baptist Ministries annual trunk-or-treat event starts 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at the Augusta church at 4594 Columbia Rd. There will also be food trucks, fantasy characters and free concessions.

Tootsies Treats Emporium's annual trunk-or-treat is 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, outside the Augusta sweets shop at 2321 Peach Orchard Rd. There will also be food as well as a costume contest and "Best Trunk" contest.

East Central Health District's drive-thru trunk-or-treat is 5-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 outside their Augusta building at 1916 North Leg Rd. There will be live music and vaccinations against HIV and the flu.

City of Aiken's trunk-or-treating event is 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Citizens Park at 651 Old Airport Rd. There will also be carnival games, live music, and concessions for sale.

More trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treating events are being held at:

  • Richmond County Sheriff's Office at 400 Walton Way in Augusta at 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

  • Answers Community Church at 4495 Columbia Rd. in Martinez at 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

  • Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church at 1330 Monte Sano Ave. in Augusta 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26.

  • Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at 402 Aumond Rd. in Augusta 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

  • May Park at 622 4th St. in Augusta at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31.

  • Carrie Mays Family Life Center at 1014 11th Ave. in Augusta 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28.

  • Victory Baptist Church at 620 W. Martintown Rd. in North Augusta 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30.

  • VFW Auxiliary 12190 at 4290 Triangle Industrial Dr. in Evans at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

  • Answers Community Church at 4495 Columbia Rd. in Martinez 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

  • Blythe Area Recreation Center at 3129 Georgia Hwy. 88 in Augusta 7-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28.

  • Central Baptist Church at 1652 Wire Rd. in Aiken 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30.

  • Trinity UMC Aiken at 2724 Whiskey Rd. 5-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31.

  • Hopeful Baptist Church at 2973 Winter Rd. in Blythe 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31.

FILE - Jennifer Settles of Grovetown and her 4-year-old daughter Ryleigh meet Blaze the horse during The Maize at Steed's Dairy in Grovetown on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2020.
FILE - Jennifer Settles of Grovetown and her 4-year-old daughter Ryleigh meet Blaze the horse during The Maize at Steed's Dairy in Grovetown on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2020.

Maize at Steed's Dairy

Steed's Dairy is back with a brand new maze and all of its fall fun.

The Grovetown family farm's main attraction is once again its 5-acre corn maze, with the design of this year's maze paying tribute to the 2021 championship victories of the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Braves.

Once finished making their way through the corn, guests will be able to enjoy a wide variety of activities like pony cart rides, a petting zoo and a giant tube slide. There's also a pumpkin patch where fresh pumpkins can be picked and bought to take home.

The "Maize" is open now through Nov. 13, and runs every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and every Sunday from 1-7 p.m. It's located at 4634 Wrightsboro Road.

General admission is $3. Seniors, military and groups of at least 15 get in for $9 per person. Children 2 and under get in free.

For more information, go to steedsdairy.com.

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Plantation Blood

One of the scariest attractions in the area has reopened its doors.

Plantation Blood's haunted house in south Augusta has been terrifying families for 23 years, featuring a variety of characters from voodoo queens to classic crazed clowns. But while they creep, crawl and jump from the shadows, guests won't have to worry about the performers grabbing or touching them in any way.

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There are no age restrictions. General admission is $25, fast passes are $45, and there is a $5 discount available to military service members and first responders.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and they don't close until the last guest leaves. Open days vary, and the full calendar can be found at plantationblood.com.

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Columbia County Fall Fair

Columbia County's is the last county fair of the season. It runs Nov. 3-13, and is open 5-11 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 1-10 p.m. Sunday. The fairgrounds are located in Grovetown at 5462 Columbia Rd.

Families can expect a number a large amount of carnival food, games and rides; plus several shows and live entertainment such as motorcycle stunt performers, "Sea Lion Splash," magicians and a demolition derby.

Admission starts at $8. For more information, go to columbiacountyfair.net.

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"Ghostbusters: Afterlife" (2021) was directed by Jason Reitman, son of Ivan Reitman, who directed the original 1984 "Ghostbusters" blockbuster.
"Ghostbusters: Afterlife" (2021) was directed by Jason Reitman, son of Ivan Reitman, who directed the original 1984 "Ghostbusters" blockbuster.

Scary movie watch parties

Augusta GreenJackets' SRP PARK is hosting another "Dugout Theater" where families watch a movie on the stadium's Jumbotron. "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" will play at 6:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the stadium at 187 Railroad Avenue in North Augusta. General admission starts at $5. For more information, go to milb.com.

Augusta University's Cinema Series is presenting a vampire-film double feature starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre at 2500 Walton Way. The night will start with the first "Twilight" movie, plus designated seating areas for "Team Edward" and "Team Jacob," followed by a 2008 Swedish film called "Let the Right One In." Admission is free.

Evans Stadium Cinemas 14 has a Flashback Cinemas series at the Evans theater at 4365 Towne Centre Drive. The films shown include:

  • "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

  • "Beetlejuice" on Sunday, Oct. 30 and Wednesday, Nov. 2.

Through Fathom Events, Regal Augusta Exchange at 1144 Agerton Ln. will showcase the following special screenings:

  • A stage production "Frankenstein" starring Benedict Cumberbatch on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

  • A double feature of two black-and-white monster classics: 1954's "Creature from the Black Lagoon" and 1943's "Phantom of the Opera."

Halloween dances and live entertainment

Crowne Plaza North Augusta is hosting a "Halloween Spooktacular" at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 at the hotel at 1060 Center St. in North Augusta's Riverside Village. This is an adult-only event for those 18 and older, featuring hors d'oeuvres, a drag show and a costume contest. Tickets can be bought at crownmagnoliacourtofgeorgia.org.

600 Broad is hosting a Halloween Glo Party 5-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31 at the downtown Augusta spot. Guests will dance to a live DJ and enjoy candy, games and face painting.

Ballroom Dance Center's "Haunted Eye Ball" is 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the Evans studio at 525 Grand Slam Dr. There will be light refreshments and prizes for the best costumes.

United Way's annual "Monster Mash" is 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the Big Red Barn at 187 Chime Bell Church Rd. in Aiken. Guests can expect dancing, costume contests, silent auction, food and other fun. Tickets can be bought at eventbrite.com.

More fall festivals, carnivals and fairs

Le Chat Noir's "Black Cat Carnival" is 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, outside the downtown Augusta black box theatre and lounge at the corner of 8th and Ellis streets. There will be games, food trucks, and live entertainment from performers like Arcane Arts fire dancers. Admission is free.

Warren Baptist's Augusta church is having a fall family festival Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 3203 Washington Road, featuring a petting zoo, fantasy characters and other fun. Also, Warren Baptist's Grovetown church is having its own festival Sunday, Oct. 30 at 777 Horizon South Pkwy. with inflatables, a mechanical bull, fantasy characters, face painting and more.

Triumphant Family Christian Center's harvest festival is 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at the Augusta church at 1751 Gordon Hwy. There will be games, food, hay rides, cake walks and more.

Imagination Station Children's Museum of Augusta's fall festival is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. at Hickman Park at 965 Hickman Rd. in Augusta. Food trucks will be on site plus a bounce house, a hay maze, a pumpkin patch, games and other activities.

Sand Hills Community Center's Halloween Mini Carnival is 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the Augusta center at 2540 Wheeler Road. There will be games, candy, face painting and food. Admission is free.

Amazing Grace Baptist Church's fall festival is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 outside the Beech Island church at 363 Pine Log Rd. Families can expect games, candy, hotdogs, pumpkin painting, a giant bounce house, hay rides, face-painting and other activities.

Grace UMC / North Augusta's family fall fest is 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, inside the church at 639 Georgie Ave. Families can expect face painting, cake walks, crafts, games and a photo booth.

Mad Hatter Farm's "Mad Hatter Festival" is 1-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Riverwatch Brewery at 1175 4th Street in Augusta. There will be food trucks, face painting, costume contests, a live DJ and more. Tickets cost $10 and can be bought online at eventbrite.com.

Restoration Ministries' fall festival is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31 at the Augusta church at 2404 Tobacco Road. There will be food for sale, inflatables, games and candy.

Night at the museum

Augusta Museum of History's "Spooktacular Family Fun Day" is 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at the museum at 560 Reynolds St. Guests are invited to don their costumes and browse the museum for creepy mannequins, visit the observatory for a haunted doll seance, hear ghost stories, play games and more activities. The seance display will also be at the museum Thursday, Oct. 27 through Sunday.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Fall brings fairs, festivals, Halloween fund and more to Augusta area