5 Things for Families

It’s the weekend before Halloween, which means decorating mini pumpkins is NOT optional.

October 23, 2013; 7:45 AM • by Kelly Gerow

It’s the weekend before Halloween and two things are clear: 1) if you don’t like Halloween (or the Harvest, which I think is supposed to sound less scary but sounds even scarier) then you should hightail it out to a place where people hate to celebrate things; and 2) decorating mini pumpkins is NOT optional. We have to decorate at least two each while sitting outdoors next to food trucks or the remaining undecorated pumpkins will rise up.

I have spent too much time reading up on Halloween events.

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1. Movies & Mimosas: Ghostbusters

Life gives you few opportunities to see Ghostbusters on the big screen. This weekend you get two chances. The earlier your kids get introduced to Slimer, the better.

• Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th • 11:00 AM
• Bowtie Cinemas, 1301 North Boulevard
• $5.50

2. Lollipops: Carnival and Clowns

Richmond Symphony’s Lollipops series is a great way to introduce kids to classical music. Through puppets! Carnivals and Clowns, featuring Drew Allison and Grey Seal Puppets, is a take on Petrushka, a Russian tale about a straw puppet-turned-human which is set to music composed by Igor Stravinsky. Come before the concert for the Instrument Petting Zoo and other activities.

• Saturday, October 26th • 10:00 AM (concert begins at 11:00 AM)
• Carpenter Center, 612 E. Grace Street
• $10

3. Boulevard Pumpkin Festival

The first Boulevard Pumpkin Festival doubles as an open house to the Scott’s Addition neighborhood and businesses. Boulevard will be closed off to traffic to make room for all the food trucks, beer and wine vendors, and music. Come dressed up for Halloween and celebrate fall, pumpkins, Halloween, and commerce.

• Saturday, October 26th • 12:00 — 6:00 PM
• W. Marshall and W. Leigh Streets
• Free

4. Goblins and Gourds

Stop by Goblins and Gourds at the Children’s Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden to celebrate harvest time. Paint pumpkins, join a parade, watch a tree climbing demonstration, get your hands on the gourd petting zoo, and more. Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra provides music.

• Sunday, October 27th • 1:00 — 4:00 PM
• Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave
• $7-$11

5. Squirreloween at The Diamond

My daughter is turning three this weekend, and I can’t think of a better gift for her than to have her favorite mascot Nutzy nod at or high five her while she looks terrified but then spends the next week talking about it (well, I suppose any of the things she’s been asking for would be better gifts). But, still: Nutzy. Come to Squirreloween for the trick-or-treating and stay for the pumpkin decorating, costume contest, inflatables, scary yoga, Quidditch practice, music, food, beer garden, and too many more things to list.

• Sunday, October 27th • 2:00 — 6:00 PM
• The Diamond, 3001 North Boulevard
• Free

Be sure to check out our rundown of October festivals and other family-friendly fall things to do, including the Richmond Zombie Walk and Day of the Dead festival.

photo by born1945

October 23, 2013 7:45 AM 1