A few days before Halloween day, on Oct. 26, the Piñon Project is putting on a Pumpkin Fest.
The fun starts at 9 a.m. with a zombie run, which coincides with a cake walk. The run ends at 10 a.m. and the cake walk finishes at 11 a.m., so those wanting to do both, can.
Be sure to register in the costume contest between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., as winners will be announced by 11:45 a.m.
Trick-or-treating at participating Main Street businesses goes from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Pumpkin Fest carnival itself starts at 12:30 p.m. and will finish at 3 p.m.
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26, trunk or treat at the Church of the Nazarene at 514 N. Chestnut St. The event is free!
At 6 p.m. on Oct. 26, brave a spooky ghost tour. It starts at Merriweather Home & Market, 25 S. Elm St., and ends at the Loungin' Lizard, 2 W. Main St.
Proceeds benefit Good Sam’s Food Pantry.
That’s right! More candy. The Cortez Elks will be hosting a community, family-friendly Halloween party from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27.
Head to 2100 N. Dolores Road for candy, prizes and fun games for all ages!
Round up the kids – or your partner, or yourself – and head to 25450 Road M just one mile outside of Cortez. It’s the last weekend of the season to visit Jones’ Farm in all its fall glory!
It has a corn maze, hay maze, games, concessions and “decorations everywhere,” which makes for great fall photo ops, said Bobbe Jones, who owns the farm.
If you haven’t got your pumpkin yet, they’ve got those, too.
The Cortez Public Library is screening the classic film on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 5:15 p.m.
The Vista Grande Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center announced its annual, free ‘Trick-or-Treat’ party, which will be at its facility on Oct. 31 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
It “combines Halloween fun and community spirit which makes it a real treat for everyone,” said Carla Lydic, a Vista Grande administrator, in a press release.
People are encouraged to wear costumes and to bring some sort of receptacle – whether it be a pillow case or a kitschy pumpkin basket – to collect candy and other goodies in.
“This is a fun and safe environment for children to enjoy Halloween festivities in one location,” Lydic said.
The Vista Grande staff will be sporting their favorite costumes, kicking off “the Autumn season right,” Lydic said.
From 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31, there will be a Halloween Carnival in Mancos.
It’s a family event, free of charge. They’ll have carnival games, prizes, a trunk or treat, hot dogs and chili too.
This year, they added a food drive component.
“It seems like it’s a critical need right now,” Pam Coppinger, a Mancos resident helping organize the event, said.
Nicole Halladay from the Mancos FoodShare said its “seen an increase of people due to the rising cost of food prices.”
And so they’re asking for unopened donations that are not expired.
“Things like canned meats, cereals,” said Coppinger. “Just donate what you can … there is an ongoing need for our neighbors in need.”
Coppinger said to take donations to the Mancos FoodShare, which is open Mondays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For convenience, there will be boxes at the carnival as well.
Halladay said the FoodShare is open every Monday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and that they’re always accepting donations.
