By Madeline Otten, Correspondent
October brings fall, and fall brings pumpkins, hayrides, crisp air, and layers. Festivities are planned and communities come together to support local organizations. Fluvanna County has a generous amount of fall activities for its community to take part in and celebrate the new season.
To kick off October, Effort Christian School and Preschool PTO will be having their third annual Tricky Tray Raffle and Auction Oct. 13 starting at 3 p.m. at the Effort Family Life Center. Tickets for raffles will be available for purchase and the live auction will take place at 5 p.m. Buckshots BBQ food truck will be making an appearance and snacks are also available at the snack bar.
“I can’t express how thankful we are for the local support we’ve received so far for this event. Not only will our children benefit from this event, but it’s also an opportunity for the community to meet together, enjoy a night out, win some prizes, and learn about new local businesses they might not have heard of,” said PTO fundraising director Maria Clark.
Teens aged 13-17 within Fluvanna County are invited for a Halloween-themed teen night Oct. 20 from 7-10 p.m. at the Lake Monticello Ashlawn Clubhouse. There will be a costume contest for most original, scariest, and funniest costumes, as well as a DJ and karaoke. Teens can also use the photo booth to take pictures throughout the night.
In Charlottesville, the Paramount Theater is calling the 1984 Ghostbusters for a screening at 7 p.m. on Oct. 20. To continue the Halloween spirit, Monsters Inc. will play the next afternoon at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youth.
Fluvanna County Parks and Recreation Department is hosting its 14th Annual Halloween Festival. The two-day event starts Oct. 26 from 5-8 p.m. at the Fluvanna County Library. There will be arts and crafts, a Halloween movie and a magic show.
The following day, Oct. 27, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Pleasant Grove pole barns, a Haunting Halloween will take place. The larger event will consist of costume contests, crafts, games, a pumpkin painting contest (bring your own pumpkin), and the traditional semi-scary hayride through the historic park.
Multiple churches within the county will be hosting trunk or treat events. Trunk or treat is another fun and safe way for children within the community to enjoy Halloween. The Effort Baptist Church trunk or treat takes place Oct. 28 with its Hallow Him event. It will begin at 3 p.m. with tons of games, food, prizes and candy.
Lake Christian Church will also have some early Halloween fun with its trunk or treat, also Oct. 28 at 3 p.m. There will be free food, carnival-style games, a petting zoo, bounce house, hay rides and of course, plenty of candy.
On Halloween night, Bybee Road Baptist Church will host its Trunk or Treat from 6-8 p.m. and Beulah Baptist Church is celebrating with its annual Fall Festival at 5 p.m.
The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is organizing a trunk or treat event in the Village of Palmyra to supplement the activities that are put on each year by Company 1, Palmyra Fire Department, which include a parade and costume contest. The event will take place Oct. 31 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the parking lots at the top of the hill across from the courthouse. The parade begins at 7 p.m. with costume contest to follow on Historic Courthouse steps.
Fork Union will also be taking part in festivities. Envoy at the Village, a long-term care facility, will be hosting its traditional Trick or Treat event. Children 12 and under within the Fork Union area are welcomed to join the residents and celebrate Halloween from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Each resident has his or her own basket full of candy to pass out to children.
“We’re going to have a great year. I’ve been here 19 years and this started way before I got here. I do it for the kids,“ said Coordinator Patsy Logan.
While most fall events take place in the month of October, November is known for Turkey Trot races around Thanksgiving. And Fluvanna is already planning its Celebration for Seniors in December. With the many activities that the county has to offer, residents can transition out of the hot summer days and into the cool season of autumn.
