Free to a fee: Get into the Halloween spirit with events in Alliance, Louisville

Do you like a good scare, or the mystical arts?

If so, there are several October events in the Alliance and Louisville areas to elevate your Halloween spirits, including one dedicated to Harry Potter in the Carnation City.

Glamorgan Castle in Alliance and Metzger Park in Louisville also will play host to Halloween-themed events.

Check out details on these October events happening nearby:

Hogwarts comes to Silver Park on Oct. 5

Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger might not be at Silver Park in Alliance on Oct. 5, but the magic of Hogwarts will be.

"Potter in the Park" is presented by Raptor Hallow Sanctuary and the City of Alliance Parks and Recreation Department. The event starts at 4 p.m. and will feature live Fantastic Beasts shows at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

It is free.

The Harry Potter-themed event also will have interactive science demonstrations with Dr. Culpepper's Mad Science, train rides on the Hogwarts Express, a mystical trail, themed crafts and refreshments. Organizers say food vendors with snacks for purchase will be on hand.

"We are excited to offer a new program in the community that will be both fun, and educational. We wanted to put a new spin on our old Fall Festival, as there were several similar events throughout the community, and Potter in the Park will be a unique experience," said Niki McIlvain, director of marketing and special programs for the parks department.

The live animal shows and Mad Science activities will continue at 4 p.m. Oct. 12 and Oct. 19 at Silver Park.

"Several organizations are collaborating to make this a memorable event including Raptor Hallow Sanctuary, area organizations who will be hosting activity stations, Greater Alliance Foundation and other sponsors have stepped up to offer something new and exciting in the parks," McIlvain said.

Celebrate Halloween at Glamorgan Castle

Glamorgan Castle will have family and kid-friendly spooky tours from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 5 and 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 6. The cost is $10 per person, but children 12 and under enter for free. Kids will receive treats.

Connie Fussell, secretary of the Castle Crusaders, said visitors can explore a couple of floors of the castle and can wear costumes. She also said rooms will be decorated for Halloween. "Any excuse to dress in costume, I'm in. It makes it fun," said Fussell, who plans to dress like a tarot card reader.

Halloween events at Rodman, Louisville libraries

Rodman Public Library in Alliance and Louisville Public Library have several Halloween events in October.

Some are free. Some have fees.

For example, the Rodman Library branch at 1808 W. State St. will have a free pumpkin painting event from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 5. No registration is required. Call 330-821-1313 if you have questions.

The pumpkin event will allow children to pick a pumpkin and decorate it with paints and other supplies provided by the library. The make-and-take craft was made possible by the Friends of the Rodman Public Library.

The branch also will host "Halloween Pals Storytime with Hot Pots" at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 and 11 a.m. Oct. 12, for ages 2 to 12. Fee is $15.99 per child, and registration is required with Hot Pots Pottery.

Children will attend a mini storytime at the branch, then paint a Halloween Pal at Hot Pots with their guardian.

And, in Louisville, the Louisville Public Library at 700 Lincoln Ave. will host a free 'Trick or Treat' night from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 19. The "Scooby-Doo level" event, as it was described, does not require registration or membership to participate.

Others events include:

• Alliance YWCA Fall Fest 2024 will be 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at 239 E Market St. A trunk-or-treat, balloons, light refreshments and snacks have been planned for the activity.
• The fourth annual Duck Duck Jeep Fall Festival will run 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 12 along East Main Street in downtown Alliance. There will be artisans, vendors, food, live music, raffles, a Jeep decorating contest and truck-or-treat activities. Learn more on Facebook .
• Gorgas Street Horror will have the "Fallen Angel" haunted trail from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 18-20 and Oct. 25-27 at Metzger Park in Louisville. There will be food trucks and craft vendors. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online . Tickets will be $15 for general admission or $22 for a fast pass.
• A free dogs Halloween costume contest will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 12 at 1800 W. State St., in the Marketplace shopping center near Hot Pots. Email themarketplacealliance@gmail.com to register by Oct. 7; space is limited. There will be treats for dogs and humans, and cash prizes.
• The third annual "Downtown Ghost Walk" will run 8 to 10 p.m. Oct. 5 in Louisville. Cost is $15 a person and tickets are required . There is a limit of 50 participants. The event is hosted by the Louisville-Nimishillen Historical Society and The Sage Shack.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com . On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Free to a fee: Get into the Halloween spirit with events in Alliance, Louisville