Hilloween Home + Yard Decorating Contest
Do you love Halloween? Do you go all-out decorating every year? Have you thought about decorating for Halloween but just haven’t found the motivation? Then we’ve got a contest for you!
“Hey” Rides at Altapass Orchard
Join our friends at the historic Altapass Orchard for “Hey” Rides throughout October!
Hilloween Family Feud at Bierdock Brewing
Halloween Family Feud at Beirdock Brewing. You may have watched Family Feud on TV, but you’ve never seen Hilloween’s hillbilly version. We are still working out final details with our friends at Bierdock Brewery, but this promises to be a night of feudin’ that you won’t soon forget!
HAUNTED SCHOOLHOUSE (BULADEAN, NC)
You might have visited haunted houses before, but we promise you've never seen anything like this. This signature event–created with input from DCAT Design, the North Carolina School of the Arts and advisors to Disney–introduces guests to the mystery and haunted history of Mitchell County. This event will include lots of thrills and chills and is recommended for adults and children ages 13 and up. LOCATION: Buladean Community Foundation: 12190 NC 226 in Bakersville, NC 28705.
MAYLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRICK-OR-TREAT SPOOKTACULAR
Bring the kids to celebrate a night of fun and festivities at the annual MCC Trick-or-Treat Spooktacular! This FREE event offers trick-or-treating in a safe and friendly environment for kids of all ages–including photos, games and much more. The first 500 children will also receive a free Mayland Trick-or-Treating Bag to carry home all their goodies. This visit will be held rain or shine, Visit MCC’s Facebook page for more details and updates.
LOCATION: 200 Mayland Dr, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
OL’ FASHIONED CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
This is where the party is on Friday night! Join us at Bowman Middle School in Bakersville for our ol’ fashioned children’s Halloween carnival, just like your parents or grandparents might have enjoyed, but with some modern updates to keep things interesting. Don’t miss a special performance by Ali Randolph Band and lots of special Halloween-themed carnival games for kids of all ages. There will also be lots of other fun events planned -- including axe throwing and other surprises!
Mask Making Workshop
Join this Penland workshop and learn to make a fancy paper face mask representing your favorite animal or character! Participants will create fun masks using cardboard, paper, tape, paste and other exciting materials. Come with ideas and images for what you would like to make, and we will help you make it a reality!
This event is open to the public and is designed for children ages 7 and up. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by a guardian to help make the mask. Participation is free!
Would you like to join us? Please follow the directions to sign up, below.
DATE: Thursday, 10/26
TIME AND LOCATION: TBD
HOW TO SIGN UP: If you would like to sign up, please email commcollaboration@penland.org with the name and age of each participant, and a cell phone where the guardian can be reached.
NOTE ON THE WAITLIST: This event is expected to fill up. When it does, we will create a waiting list. To join the wait list, please email commcollaboration@penland.org with the name and age of each participant, and a cell phone where the guardian can be reached. Participation is free.
HAUNTED PUB CRAWL (SPRUCE PINE, NC)
Welcome to the state's shortest pub crawl! Come join us on a walk through downtown Spruce Pine and hear about some of our local lore and legends... plus themed beverages from four of our local bars.
This crawl will be structured into two groups, with one group arriving at 5:45 (bus leaves at 6:00) and one arriving at 6:15 (bus leaves at 6:30) from the parking lot of the Blue Ridge Home Care (189 Oak Avenue, Spruce Pine, NC 28777). After showing your ID to one of our Boo Crew team members, you will receive a swag bag (includes coozie, cup, and snack) and load onto our shuttle to be dropped off at our first destination. While the pub crawl will officially end around 8:30, feel free to stay as long as you’d like!
Please be prompt, the shuttles will DEPART at 6:00 and 6:30. After being dropped off at our first location we will be walking (weather permitting) for the rest of the event, so please wear comfortable walking shoes. Beware of ghouls and ghosts along the way!!
This event will last approximately 2 hours. Don't wait to sign up because space is limited. You can reserve your spot by signing up here. We will follow up with you via email a few days before the event with additional details. The cost for a ticket is $10 plus beverages you purchase and tips for your servers. Happy Haunting!!
Ghost Stories at the Old English Inn
Join us for a free evening of Appalachian Ghost Stories and Spooky Old Songs at one of the very oldest log structures in NC. We aren’t saying that the Old English Inn is haunted, but these hills are certainly full of stories about all kinds of things that can’t be explained. Featuring award-winning performers and host Brenda Sparks. Bring a chair or a blanket and join us on the lawn if you dare!
Based on feedback from last year, this year we will be offering TWO seatings, one at 6:30pm and one at 8:30pm (exact timing is still being finalized).
Parking: Some street parking is available beside the Old English Inn. Additional overflow parking at Trinity Episcopal Church (15 Hemlock Avenue in Spruce Pine) or at Ingles (125 Greenwood Road in Spruce Pine). If you park at Ingles, please park in the parking spots closest to English Woods Road.
ABOUT LAST YEAR’S PERFORMERS
Sheila Kay Adams: A seventh-generation Blue Ridge Mountains ballad-singer and storyteller, Sheila Kay is one of the best-known living ballad singers in North Carolina. Sheila Kay has also won countless awards and honors including the National Heritage Fellowship—the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts—and the prestigious North Carolina Heritage Award from the North Carolina Arts Council.
William Ritter: William was born and raised in Mitchell County, and has been soaking up tales, songs and tunes from old-time mountain storytellers for over a decade. He sings a number of songs dating back to the 1700's and earlier, many of which were sung in or around the Toe River Valley—including the original "Frankie Silver" ballad written in the 1830s. William plays banjo, fiddle, guitar, and other "string-ed things."
Donna Ray Norton: Donna ray is an eighth-generation ballad singer, the granddaughter of fiddler Byard Ray and Morris Norton, who played the banjo and mouth bow, daughter of singer Lena Jean Ray, and cousin to Sheila Adams and many other prominent Madison County musicians. Donna Ray was honored with the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Youth Award for Balladry.
***Please bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
Halloween Karaoke
Do you have an inner songbird? Do you love to dress up in costume? Even if the answer to both of these are no, do you like to be around people who do? Join us at Moondust Lounge for a special Halloween-themed Karaoke night… featuring all songs evil, scary, witchy, and Halloween related. Costumes encouraged!
Hilloween Half Time Show at the MHS Mountaineers Football Game
Join us to cheer on the MHS Mountaineers, including a special Hillloween Half Time Show!
COMMUNITY TRICK OR TREATING EVENT (SPRUCE PINE, NC)
Join the town of Spruce Pine for Halloween Trick or Treat through the town! Many stores will be handing out candy, Spruce Pine Main Street will have music and costume contest in the park!
COMMUNITY TRICK OR TREATING EVENT (BAKERSVILLE, NC)
Bring your wee ghosties & ghoulies to downtown Bakersville, where they can safely trick-or-treat with the Main Street merchants. Then head over to the Fire Department for more fun, with a giant pumpkin drop and haunted hayrides!
Haunted Mini Golf At Vic’s Place
Our friends at Vic’s Place Mini Golf are hosting a special haunted golf course on with all kind of spooky fun. This is promised to be very spooky and scary—but not too scary—so feel free to bring the whole family.
SPRUCE PINE STREET FESTIVAL (SPRUCE PINE, NC)
Join us for an outdoor street festival on Lower Street in downtown Spruce Pine for an evening of spooky fun, including musical performances—including headliner Del McCoury and the Del McCoury Band—axe-throwing, a Hilloween blood drive for local hospitals, food + drink available at local restaurants, announcements of Hilloween prize winners and more. Please bring a blanket or a lawn chair for the special performance, get comfy and enjoy!
Interested in seeing Del perform? Join this facebook group for all the details.
EVENT SCHEDULE
4:00 pm
Event begins with welcome and opening remarks
Performers William Ritter and friends
5:00 pm
Scavenger hunt winners recognized and prizes awarded
Homemade costume contest winners recognized and prizes awarded
5:30 pm
Bandana Rhythm plays
6:30 pm
Home and business decorating contest winners announced and prizes awarded
7:00 pm
Hilloween headliner The Del McCoury Band performs
Note: this schedule is tentative and may change slightly based actual performance times.
PARKING AND SHUTTLE INFORMATION
We’ve arranged overflow parking with our following friends and partners. Shuttle service will also be provided by the Pine Line, which will run on a loop between the event and the following parking locations:
A) Three Peaks Enrichment Center @ 97 Pinebridge Ave in Spruce Pine, NC
B) High Country Arms Gun Shop @ 337 Oak Ave in Spruce Pine, NC
C) Blue Ridge Home Care @ 189 Oak Ave in Spruce Pine, NC
D) Jones Body Shop @ 428 Balsam Ave in Spruce Pine, NC
E) Central Baptist Church @ 431 Oak Ave.Spruce Pine, NC
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS
The Del McCoury Band: Hilloween is thrilled to welcome Bluegrass Icon Del McCoury “home” to Mitchell County, where his parents and grandparents grew up. Simply put, no one performing today has had a musical career like his—with nine IBMA Entertainer of the Year trophies, numerous Grammy wins, and membership in the legendary cast of the Grand Ole Opry, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him back to Mitchell County.
Bandana Rhythm: Four Mitchell and Yancey County natives have combined not only their incredible musical talents, but as well their genuine love and passion for playing— and play they do! The unique sounds of Bandana Rhythm echo the traditional sounds of the mountains such as Celtic, gospel, bluegrass and folk. So pull up your favorite chair, sit back, get comfortable and enjoy the fresh and unique sounds of the Bandana Rhythm Band!
Sheila Kay Adams: A seventh-generation Blue Ridge Mountains ballad-singer and storyteller, Sheila Kay is one of the best-known living ballad singers in North Carolina. Sheila Kay has also won countless awards and honors including the National Heritage Fellowship—the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts—and the prestigious North Carolina Heritage Award from the North Carolina Arts Council.
William Ritter: William was born and raised in Mitchell County, and has been soaking up tales, songs and tunes from old-time mountain storytellers for over a decade. He sings a number of songs dating back to the 1700's and earlier, many of which were sung in or around the Toe River Valley—including the original "Frankie Silver" ballad written in the 1830s. William plays banjo, fiddle, guitar, and other "string-ed things."
TRICK OR TREATS’ ANNUAL HANDMADE COSTUME CONTEST
Join us for a very special handmade costume competition presented by TREATS Studios! Store-bought costumes wont cut it for this competition, folks dust off your glue guns and your creativity. Hop into your costumes and join us on Saturday, October 28th at Treats Studios, 216 Oak Avenue in Spruce Pine. The judging will start at 2:30pm. The winner will be announced at the Spruce Pine Night Festival on lower street around 5pm.
HILLOWEEN PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT (COUNTYWIDE)
Join us for a photo scavenger hunt allowing you, your family, and friends to explore the history and mystery of Mitchell County!
BAKERSVILLE NIGHT FESTIVAL (BAKERSVILLE, NC)
This is where the party is on Thursday night! Join us for a night of fun headlined by a one-of-a-kind sound and light show designed by the same team that created similar installations at the White House. This festival will also feature free outdoor concerns, axe-throwing, a neon dance party on Mitchell Avenue, food, drink and fun activities for the whole family.
HAUNTED SCHOOLHOUSE (BULADEAN, NC)
You might have visited haunted houses before, but we promise you've never seen anything like this. This signature event–created with input from DCAT Design, the North Carolina School of the Arts and advisors to Disney–introduces guests to the mystery and haunted history of Mitchell County. This event will include lots of thrills and chills and is recommended for adults and children ages 13 and up. LOCATION: Buladean Community Foundation: 12190 NC 226 in Bakersville, NC 28705.
STORYTELLING ON THE LAWN AT THE OLD ENGLISH INN
Join us for a free evening of Appalachian Ghost Stories and Spooky Old Songs at one of the very oldest log structures in NC. Featuring Aaron Ratcliffe, William Ritter, and host Brenda Sparks. Bring a chair or a blanket!
William Ritter, born and raised in Mitchell County, has been soaking up tales, songs and tunes from old-time mountain storytellers for over a decade. He sings a number of songs dating back to the 1700's and earlier, many of which were sung in or around the Toe River Valley—including the original "Frankie Silver" ballad written in the 1830s.
Aaron Ratcliff is a storyteller, flatfoot dancer, musician, singer, dance caller, and all-around entertainer hailing from Haywood County.
Join us on the lawn—if you dare!
LOCATION: 240 English Road, Spruce Pine
STORYTELLING ON THE LAWN AT THE OLD ENGLISH INN (Copy)
Join us for a free evening of Appalachian Ghost Stories and Spooky Old Songs at one of the very oldest log structures in NC. Featuring Aaron Ratcliffe, William Ritter, and host Brenda Sparks. Bring a chair or a blanket!
William Ritter, born and raised in Mitchell County, has been soaking up tales, songs and tunes from old-time mountain storytellers for over a decade. He sings a number of songs dating back to the 1700's and earlier, many of which were sung in or around the Toe River Valley—including the original "Frankie Silver" ballad written in the 1830s.
Aaron Ratcliff is a storyteller, flatfoot dancer, musician, singer, dance caller, and all-around entertainer hailing from Haywood County.
Join us on the lawn—if you dare!
LOCATION: 240 English Road, Spruce Pine