There will be fewer traditional haunts for would-be ghouls and goblins this year as the slow economy seems to have spooked some area Halloween festivities. Lighter staff and tighter budgets mean there will be some locks on the squeaky doors of haunted houses, and cancelled community fairs.

Never fear, though: Halloween hasn’t been cancelled! There are still plenty of opportunities for gasps and giggles in celebration of the season, as well as neighborhood trick-or-treating. Hilton Head Island and Bluffton have no official hours for treat-seekers. However, some gated communities set their own hours, so parents should check with their property owners association.

There’s also tons of October fun, from Oktoberfests to hayrides to pumpkin patches.

Celebrate Gemütlichkeit!

Two area Oktoberfests will kick off the fall season of fun.

• First Presbyterian Church on Hilton Head will host an Oktoberfest Dinner with special music at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Reservations are required. Dinner is $8 for adults, $4 for children and $20 for families. For more information, call 843-681-3696.

• You can also get your “oompah” on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Port Royal’s annual Oktoberfest from noon to 5 p.m. on Paris Avenue in Port Royal. Beer, brats, a classic car drive-in and a Halloween costume contest, plus a children’s areas are among the highlights. For more information, visit www.oldvillageportroyal.com.

 

Getting ghostly for a good cause

• The Exchange Club of Beaufort will host its 17th annual Ghost Tours in Beaufort’s historic district Oct. 16–30 to benefit the Child Abuse Prevention Association. Evening walking and carriage tours led by costumed storytellers offer a sometimes-spooky and always-informative look at Beaufort’s past.
Keep your eyes peeled for ghostly visions! Walk ing tour tickets are $10 for all ages; carriage tours are $10 for children ages 3-11 and $18 for adults. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 843-52GHOST for required reservations and details.

• The Coastal Cajun Festival will take place from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct.17, in Shelter Cove Community Park. Chris Jones will perform, and The Sauce Boss will cook up a pot of delicious gumbo while playing Cajun music. Kenny B’s, Bluffton Oyster Factory, Hudson’s, Wild Wings, Street Meet and the SERG Group will also provide authentic Cajun cooking. Children will love the moon bounces, arts and crafts, and games. Proceeds benefit the Island Recreation Association. For more information, visit www.islandreccenter.org or call 843-681-7273.

• A Pumpkin Patch Carnival will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Shelter Cove Community Park. It will feature a live performance by Shannon Tanner, a haunted hayride, moon bounces, a petting zoo, a costume contest and carnival games. Admission is $10 per child. Proceeds benefit the Island Recreation Association. For more information, visit www.islandreccenter.org or call 843-681-7273.

• Start The Big Day off early with a good deed: The Bluffton Historical Preservation Society is sponsoring an All Saints Eve Cemetery Clean Up at Bluffton Cemetery on May River Road from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 31. Bring your own rake, gloves and gardening tools. Costumes are optional, as long as they’re “appropriate.” For more information, call 843-757-6293.

 

Read or see scary stories

• On Thursday, Oct. 22, Bluffton librarians will warm up for the holiday with a fall-themed bedtime story at 6:45 p.m. Kids can show up in their pj’s and will get a bedtime treat bag at the end of the evening. The Do–Drop-In story times at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, will have Halloween themes. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, staff will be in costume and handing out treats to children, who are encouraged to dress up, too, for trick-or-treat at the Bluffton Library.

• From Thursday, Oct. 29, through Halloween, Barnes & Noble will offer a book fair & Halloween fun with games, arts and crafts, book readings, a costume parade and more. A donation will be made to Sandbox with purchases accompanied by a voucher from the museum. For more information, call 843-842-7645.

• At dusk on Thursday, Oct. 29, Beaufort’s “In the Park” program will present a free screening of “Monsters vs. Aliens” in Waterfront Park. Beaufort Performing Arts will offer pre-movie entertainment.

• The Hilton Head Island library will host a Sp ooky Story Time at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. The staff will dress up in their best costumes and children are invited to do so, too. There will be treats and more. Library hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.