JACKSON, Wyo. — There are lots of opportunities to channel the Halloween spirit this season. Carry a broomstick and fly on a bike at Witches and Warlocks Bike Ride, get up close with some crawlers at Creepy Critters, howl along with the Ghouls That Drool Dog Parade, get goopy at the Children’s Museum Halloween party, jump and climb through the Axis Gymnastics maze and learn about birds of prey at the Old Wilson Schoolhouse.
Fall Harvest Fest
Fall Harvest Fest is back at the Old Wilson Schoolhouse on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m.
There will be lots of pumpkins to carve, pizza, adult beverages and a cupcake walk for the kids. Its all free while supplies last and donations will be accepted.
For the first hour, from 4 to 5 p.m., children can learn all about birds from the Teton Raptor Center. Raptors will greet kids under a tent, on the front lawn of the school house. It will be a halloween surprise as to which birds arrive to the event.
Everyone is welcome and costumes are encouraged.
Jackson Hole Children’s Museum Halloween Party
The Jackson Hole Children’s Museum (JHCM) is hosting a goopy and spooky Halloween party on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at the Lodge at Jackson Hole Conference Center.
During the Halloween party, community members will be able to explore the Children’s Museum’s new pop-up exhibits. Children can stimulate the senses with some Spooky Sensory time at 2 p.m., get spectacularly messy with Goopy Ghost Plasma at 3 p.m. (think slime) and show off their creative pumpkin carving and painting at 4 p.m.
Get candy for wearing a costume. There will be light refreshments, including gummy worm dirt cups. This event is free for locals.
Ghouls That Drool Dog Parade and Witches and Warlocks Bike Ride
The Ghouls That Drool Dog Parade and the Witches and Warlocks Bike Ride events will both take place on Saturday, Oct. 28 in Victor.
Dogs and owners decked in their Halloween best can take part in the first annual Ghouls That Drool Dog Parade at 1 p.m. in Victor City Park.
It will be pups galore with hotdogs, paw-popcorn and puppy face painting. A costume contest will award cash prizes worth $100 in five doggie and human categories; best buddies, best dog and owner look-a-like, best haunted hound, best doggie diva and best group theme. An additional $50 will be awarded to the “best in show”.
Pre-registration is required and there is a $10 non-refundable entry fee. Registration closes on Wednesday Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. Owners and pups are to meet at the Victor Public Works Building on Elm Street.
- 12:30 p.m. Line-up for Ghouls That Drool Dog Parade
- 1 p.m. Parade starts
- 1:30 p.m. Costume judging on the stage in Victor town park
Immediately following the dog parade on Saturday, the first annual Witches and Warlocks Bike Ride will cruise through town.
Bike riders are encouraged to be creative and fun when imagining their sorcerer-like costumes and don’t forget to decorate the bikes. Participants can enter their name to win prizes awarded after the ride.
Riders will begin pedaling on Elm Street, then head to Agate and Birch Street and end the ride at Victor City Park. Only regular and pedal-assist e-bikes are to be ridden, no motorized vehicles are permitted. There isn’t room for bikes in the park, so please lock them next to the fence on the soccer field. All bike riders are to meet at the Victor Public Works Building on Elm Street.
- 12:30 p.m. Line-up bikes
- 1 p.m. Ride begins
Axis Gymnastics Halloween Maze
The third annual Axis Gymnastics Halloween Maze is a chance for kids to jump, bounce and crawl their way out of ghostly tunnels on Oct. 29 from 11 to 12:30 p.m.
Coaches dress up in their favorite costume and guide participants through each obstacle. Parents are welcome to assist younger children through the maze. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes that allow for easy movement when climbing.
The event is free to the public and donations will go to the Axis Booster Club to help provide scholarships for Axis Athletes.
“Come have a flippin’ spooky good time at the Axis Halloween Maze,” Owner and Head Coach Jess Larson, Ph.D. said.
Creepy Critters
Halloween Town Square trick-or-treaters are encouraged to stop by the National Elk Refuge and Greater Yellowstone (GYE) Visitor Center for Creepy Critters, an interactive small creature event on Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 3 to 5 p.m.
The Mad Scientist Station will offer several science experiments, including a color-changing tea made from butterfly pea flowers, owl pellet handling and critter magnifying microscopes. Kids can look through a microscope to explore dead butterflies, scorpions, cicadas, spiders, wasps and beetles in full creepy detail. There will also be resin specimens of bats, plus skeletons from a bat, snake and toad to inspect.
Trick-or-treaters are invited to stick around to paint pumpkins, take a photo in the themed photo booth and grab some trick-or-treat candy to go.
“Kids really enjoyed last year’s event and the staff really enjoyed sharing our lesser known creatures for Halloween,” National Elk Refuge and GYE Visitor Services Manager Raena Parsons said.
