With Halloween quickly approaching, events are popping up all across town dedicated to celebrating the season with festivals, food, and fun! Two popular events took place last weekend, and after volunteering at them both for the past four years, I can honestly say that they are my favorite to go to. These events have become so important to me over the years that they have become an integral part of welcoming this season into my heart.
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is a two-week festival in Munich, Germany held during September through October. While it may be a tad difficult for many of us to travel overseas and experience the real thing right now, we’re lucky enough to be able to experience exciting renditions of it right here in Tallahassee. This year, the 17th Annual Oktoberfest took place at Mission San Luis on West Tennessee Street. Elder Care Services hosts the event year after year in order to raise money from auctions and sponsors, which goes directly back to the Tallahassee community to help local seniors in need.
Myself fangirling over the Aerosmith guitar
This year, the silent auction boasted an array of refreshing vacations, enough game tickets to satiate even the most avid sports fans, gift baskets (there was a Starbucks basket that was absolutely to die for) and last but certainly not least, two signed guitars from one of the biggest pop stars – Taylor Swift – and from “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band” Aerosmith. In between my star-struck drooling over the Aerosmith guitar signed by the great Steven Tyler himself, I stopped by the food line stocked full of traditional German cuisine to grab myself a plate. Before the night was over, chicken, wienerschnitzel and gravy, sausage, potato latkes, cucumber and German potato salads, bread rolls, and salted pretzels stuffed satisfied guests to the brim.
Courtesy: Tallahassee Democrat
With beer and wine flowing, live bands taking the stage, and dancing galore, it was impossible not to have a great night. For more information about the event, check it out here!
Halloween Howl
If candy and fun is what you’re after, then Halloween Howl is for you! Hosted by and at the Tallahassee Museum, a 52-acre expanse of beautiful Florida flora and fauna, this event boasts hundreds of guests year after year. Once the sun had set and the Tallahassee Museum grounds were lit up with Halloween decorations, our young trick-or-treaters came out to play. From carnival games such as “Whack-a-Witch” to farm games such as lassoing a bull, there was a wide array of fun and games that guests could play while trick-or-treating for candy at the same time!
Courtesy: Amber Smalley O’Connell
The Land of Mythical Creatures dazzled while the not-so-spooky trail and the haunted trails offered guests a nice dose of interactive Halloween fun. Costume contests for every age group, spooky sounds from Safari Man and The Jamie Eubanks Band, a playground and even a haunted Tree to Tree Adventure course made sure that everyone who came had a night to remember. For more information, visit the Tallahassee Museum website.
Oh, and did I mention there was a bounce house?