13 spooktacular things to do tonight for Halloween
from tallbetsy.com
Cleveland, Tenn. And surrounding areas is not lacking in the activities department this Halloween. From a block party from the courthouse to a rhyme about a local urban legend coming out tonight, to a screening of Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho," there will be more than enough to do this All Hallow's Eve.
With help from the Times Free Press and wrcbtv.com, we have compiled a comprehensive, lucky-13-list of all the different ways one can freak themselves out tonight.
- The Haunted Cavern:
Ruby Falls, 1720 S. Scenic Highway.
This subterranean Flesh Farm is a brutal society, torn by infection and chaos and ruled by a matron who thrives on the madness. Open 8-11:30 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m.-midnight Saturday; 8-11 p.m. Sunday, 8-10:30 p.m. Monday. Freak parade through the parking lot at 7:30 p.m. $25 Friday, $30 Saturday, $20 Sunday and Halloween; 10 percent discount on tickets purchased online. 423-800-0566, www.hauntedcavern.com.
- Judgment Day Haunted Trail:
Mayfield Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch, 257 Highway 307, Athens, Tenn.
The Haunted Trail leads by the actual burial site of a 19th-century judge. The restless souls of those he sentenced are said to roam the woods and cornfields where they were executed. Open at 7:30 p.m., and last ticket sold at 11 p.m. 423-746-9859, www.mayfieldmaze.com. (See a related story on Page H16.)
- The Haunted Hilltop:
8235 Highway 58.
More than 50 live actors, state-of-the-art animatronics, vortex tunnel, dark maze, haunted hayride through woods and a cornfield, cemetery walk and scary movies on the big screen. Open 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, plus 7 p.m.-midnight (or until last person goes through) Halloween night. $20. 423-488-3956, www.thehauntedhilltop.com.
- Community Halloween Party:
Avondale Center, 1305 Dodson Ave.
Free food, candy, costume contest and bounce houses, 5-7 p.m. www.facebook.com/empowerchatt.
- Halloween Block Party:
Courthouse square, Cleveland, Tenn.
This trick-or-treat alternative, scheduled 5-10 p.m., includes food booths, two stages of music, costume contests, games, inflatables and a Treat Street (open 6-9 p.m.) sponsored by M&M/Mars. 423-472-6587.
- Halloween Fall Festival:
Bradley Square Mall, 200 Paul Huff Parkway, Cleveland, Tenn.
Annual event sponsored by Westwood Baptist Church, River Hills Church of God and Westmore Church of God features games, crafts and trick-or-treating at participating stores, 6-8 p.m. Fall photos at Noerr Halloween photo set starting at 5 p.m. (next to Bath & Body Works).
- Malloween:
Trick-or-treating for children 12 and younger at participating stores, 6-7 p.m. (or while supplies last) at Hamilton Place in Chattanooga, Northgate Mall in Hixson and Walnut Square Mall in Dalton, Ga. Children must be in costume and accompanied by an adult; adults should not wear masks. www.visitnorthgatemall.com.
- "Psycho":
Gem Theatre, 114 N. Wall St., Calhoun, Ga.
Free screening of Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic, famed for its Janet Leigh shower scene, 8 p.m. 706-625-3132, www.calhoungemtheatre.org.
- Scare on the Square:
Downtown LaFayette, Ga.
This alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating will have merchants passing out candy, 5:30-7 p.m. 706-639-1519.
- Trunk-or-Treat:
Toyota of Cleveland, 3560 Village North Blvd. SW, McDonald, Tenn.
Candy giveaways, live music, face painting and special guests, 4-8 p.m. 423-664-9715.
- Chattanooga Ghost Tours:
Meet at The Little Curiosity Shoppe, 138 Market St.,
for walking tours and ghost hunts, 7:30 nightly. $15.95 adults, $10 ages 12 and younger. 423-821-7125.
- Chattanooga Fire Department:
Chattanooga fire department
On Halloween night, the Chattanooga Fire Department will open all 19 fire stations in Chattanooga from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. to give trick-or-treaters an up-close look inside a fire station. While there, children can look at the fire engines, talk with the firefighters, and get candy from the fire department, while supplies last.
- Highlands Presbyterian 5th Annual Fall Festival:
At 1211 W. North Main Street LaFayette, GA
Games with candy prizes, inflatables, costume contest, face painting. from 6pm-8:30pm
If worrying about a clown purge wasn't enough to keep you safe behind your dorm walls tonight, there's a freaking urban legend about an eight foot troll named Tall Betsy who comes out on Halloween. Here's the rhyme:
THE LEGEND OF TALL BETSY
She comes out only on Halloween
On Centenary Avenue she can be seen,
Tall Betsy is the Lady in Black,
For scaring "night-owls" she has a knack.
Now if you're good and go home early,
You won't get 'et by this gruesome girlie.
But if you linger 'til after ten,
We want you to know you are a "has been."
'Cause Betsy will tuck you under her arm,
And you can bet, that is cause for alarm.
To Fort Hill Cemetery she will go,
To her mausoleum, with YOU in tow!
If you don't escape before sunrise,
I warn you now you will be her prize.
She will have you for breakfast, I do not jest,
You'll be on the menu but not as her guest.
Your bones, she'll dump in that ole well,
At Arnold School and no one will tell.
Your parents, they'll worry and fret,
They'll search all over for you, I'll bet.
So, go home early on Halloween night
And November 1st you'll be all right.
Trick or treating is so much fun
But if you see Tall Betsy… RUN!
-from tallbetsy.com
