CHARLOTTE OFFERS HAUNTINGLY HAPPY HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS October 22, 2013

Charlotte is ready to get her scare on at Halloween events for the young and for the over 21 crowd! Adults seeking a scary evening in the Charlotte area have a variety of venues to choose from. The 8^th Annual Gravediggers Ball returns as the most popular Halloween event in Charlotte!  Located at 301 East 7^th Street, this is THE over 21 party to get your ghoul on! If dancing and partying spells Halloween fun, then the Gravediggers Ball is the place to be on October 26^th!

Music, Monsters and Mayhem is a Halloween musical event at the NC Music Factory, 100 NC Music Factory Blvd, on October 26, beginning at 6:00pm. Multiple bands, a $5,000 prize for the costume contest, and multiple venues guarantees a spooktacular evening!

Wicked Wine and BBQ Festival Tours is for those goblins who enjoy their barbeque with a touch of sophistication! The Tour provides round trip transportation to four NC Wineries and the 30^th annual Lexington BBQ Festival! The tour departs at 10:00 am from Charlotte (midtown and University City areas) on October 26^th.

The 8^th Annual Halloween Howler is a costume bar crawl on October 31^st from 7pm-2am. Wriggle into that costume, check in at the Epicenter Uptown and crawl some of the hottest bars in Charlotte! www.charlottehalloween.eventbrite.com

For the sports enthusiast, The Queen City Twilight Costume Race is back, hosted by NoDA, just north of Charlotte’s Center City. The Freaky 5k Twilight Race begins at 6;00pm and the night can be topped off at the NoDaWEEN party at the Highland Mills parking lot, in front of Heist Brewery. Sponsored by the NoDa Neighborhood and Business Association (official “Voice of the Arts District) a minimum 20% of the 2013 proceeds will be donated to Running Works. Running Works is a non-profit charity for the homeless.

Charlotte’s little goblins have a great many spooky, and not-so-spooky, choices to celebrate their Halloween!

Older kids in the Charlotte area consider Scarowinds a right of passage! Scarowinds, located at Carowinds amusement park is October 25-27^th. Mazes with terrifying creatures and thrill rides will be sure to entertain the kiddos ages 13 and over. For the wee little pumpkins, Carowinds also offers a family friendly Great Pumpkin Fest on Saturdays and Sundays October 5-27, noon to 5:00pm.

NoDa, Charlotte’s favorite Art District is sponsoring a NoDa KiDaWEEN on October 26^th, 2-5pm! A Monster Obstacle Course, Bouncy House, a spooky walkway and a prize for the most creative costume are just a few of the fun events! Live music will be provided by NoDa’s JUICEBOX, a high-energy, kid-friendly band.

Spooktacular at Morrison in Southpark will offer train rides, face painting, trick-or-treating and a pet costume contest on Thursday, October 24, 5:00pm-7:30pm.

Treat-O-Ween at Carolina Place Mall will be held October31st from 6-8pm. Radio Disney Charlotte will present their Monstober Halloween Dance Party in the food court. There will be Halloween crafts, and prizes.

Promenade on Providence on the corner of Providence Road and I-485 is a a free Halloween event on October 25^th. The double feature Hotel Transylvania and Franenweenie will begin at dark. The kids are welcome to trick-or-treat with the merchants.

Young or more adult, Charlotteans have a variety of spooky venues to choose from in the Queen City. Get your ghoul on and have a happily hideous Halloween!

 

 

http://www.southcharlotteliving.com 

 

 

FANTASTIC FALL FOLIAGE UNFOLDS IN THE CAROLINAS October 5, 2013

Fall in Charlotte is a beautiful time of year! The weather is perfect in the fall with sunny days and crisp air; people in the Queen City are enjoying parks, festivals and the fantastic display of trees. The famous tree-lined streets of Charlotte are awaiting the amazingly triumphant colors of fall in the Carolinas!

Right this instant, on October 4, in Charlotte, the weather is going to be in the high 80’s. Warm weather not ideal weather for fall colors to burst forth. We must be patient! According to the fall color forecast (yes, Charlotte has a forecast specifically for nature’s fall show) we will have to wait another week or two for our fall extravaganza.

The West is in the midst of a winter storm, there is a tropical storm that could unfortunately hit Florida and the Gulf Shores; and Charlotte, the Queen City, patiently awaits the end of a beautiful summer and the beginning of an equally lovely fall. We very rarely have to endure a complicated weather system. We are spoiled in our fair city, with gentle changes of seasons, but we do welcome all to come and enjoy the perfection!

Being so close to the mountains, Charlotteans plan quick trips to the many cities and towns nestled along the Blue Ridge Parkway during peak fall color times. The Parkway offers many overlooks and parking areas with spectacular views! Please note: due to the government shutdown, some parks destinations may be closed. Please go to www.blueridgeparkway.com for updates.

If driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway isn’t enough for fall fun, just two hours from Charlotte sits wonderful mountain towns awash in amazing fall foliage.  Asheville is a favorite spot for weekenders!

Asheville is a popular Carolina fall destination! Asheville offers all the mountain adventures of hiking, fishing, and camping. Campgrounds, like Asheville East KOA and Cabins are readily available for the outdoor adventurers. For those wanting more luxurious accommodations, the Inn on Biltmore Escape is a great choice. The famous, 100 year-old Grove Park Inn with its $50 million, 43,000 square foot subterranean spa might be the spot to admire the leaves, then relax in pampered bless before dining at one of seven restaurant experiences!

Chimney Rock and Grandfather Mountain are wonderful fall foliage enjoyment destinations for the more athletic fall adventurer seeking hikers and rock climbers. Mount Mitchell is the highest point in North Carolina at 6.684 feet and offers a breathtaking 360degree panoramic view. Only tent camping is allowed at Mt. Mitchell, but it is just 27 miles from Asheville accomodations.

Be patient Carolinians! Peak fall colors are expected to erupt in splendor in approximately one to two weeks! Whether strapping on the hiking gear or pulling on designer boots, North Carolina will wow you with fabulous fall foliage!

http://www.southcharlotteliving.com