Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Halloween in Tulsa: For Everyone, For Free

Pumpkin Town

Looking for a way to celebrate all that is All Hallows' Eve on the cheap in Tulsa this year?

Yeah. Aren't we all.

Good thing there's lots to do in Tulsa this Halloween that won't cost you a dime. Plus, Ttownmoms.com has a forum full of ideas for everything from inexpensive costumes for the kids to how to spookify your house on a budget.

Make your agenda from the events listed below and you'll be ready to save your fright-induced nail biting for the big day, rather than use it up on the way to the bank.


Out and About

Pumpkin Town

Pumpkin Patches Galore
When: Now-Halloween
Where: All over Tulsa
Even if the pumpkins aren't free, most of the activities available at Tulsa's pumpkin patches are, so check 'em out.Click here for a mega-list of the pumpkin patches in the Tulsa area.

Owasso Harvest Festival
When: Oct. 24, 11am-9pm
Where: Centennial Park in Owasso, 15301 E. 86th Street North (park at Owasso High School and ride the shuttle to the festival)
This festival, held in conjunction with the Oklahoma State Chili Cook-Off, packs an entire day of activities for the entire family. Look for hay rides, a costume contest, a scarecrow contest, pumpkin carving, face painting, balloon art, a car show and, of course, chili tasting. Mmm. It's all free and open to the public.

BooHaHa
When: Halloween
Where: Brookside
Starting at 8am, Tulsa's favorite strip will be transformed into a Halloween treat. The Kids' Zone opens at 11am, and trick-or-treating gets into gear at noon. The pet costume contest will commence in the Food Pyramid parking lot at noon, followed by the children's costume contest. Stick around for the annual BooHaHa Parade at 3pm, from 33rd-49th Streets. It's all free and open to the public.

New! Free Thriller Dance Class
When: Halloween, noon-3pm
Where: Ida Red Boutique on Brookside, 3346 S. Peoria Ave.
You know you've always wanted to learn it - it's the Thriller Dance, the moves that the late Michael Jackson made famous. This Halloween, you have the chance to learn it for free. Find your way to Ida Red on Brookside for the class (starting at 2pm), along with a special Halloween set by local band The Red Alert (starting at noon) and a costume contest (starting at 3pm).


At the Libraries

Hardesty Regional Library

Halloweek Stories and Magic with Storyteller Michael Corley
When: Oct. 22
Where: Suburban Acres Library, 10=10:45am; Nathan Hale Library, 4-4:45pm; Brookside Library, 6:30-7:15pm
Oklahoma's only storytelling magician will take you on an spooky trail of ghost stories, from legendary monsters like the Weindgo to pirates from beyond the grave. Always spooky but never too scary, Corley will be in full costume, performing magical effects with lots of audience participation. For ages 5-12. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust.

Get Zombified!
When: Friday, Oct. 23, 4:30-5:30pm
Where: Martin Regional Library
Learn survival strategies with local zombie expert Chris Askers as he leads a discussion on zombie history and biology and shows how to produce realistic-looking injuries. For teens. Preregistration is required. Call 669-6340 to register.

Scary-N-Sperry!
When: Monday, Oct. 26, 5:30-7pm
Where: Judy Z. Kishner Library
Enjoy a fun-filled family evening featuring hot dogs, games, face painting, buried treasure and candy. Wear a costume!

Preschool Story Time: Halloween Fun
When: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 11-11:30am
Where: Martin Regional Library
Enjoy shivery songs, jack-o-lantern stories and creepy finger plays to get in the spirit. Wear a costume! For ages 3-5.

Storytelling 101: Scary Stories and Ghost Tales
When: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 4:45-6pm
Where: Helmerich Library
Explore jump tales and urban legends in celebration of Halloween. Snacks will be provided by the Friends of the Helmerich Library. For ages 10-13.

Pumpkin Decorating
When: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 4:30-6pm
Where: Nathan Hale Library
Creative pumpkin decorating. For all ages. Class size is limited, so call NHL to register.


At the Parks

Pumpkin Town

Halloween Carnival Spooktacular
When and Where: Oct. 27 at Reed Park, 6-7:30pm; Oct. 29 at McClure Park, 6-7:30pm
Join other ghosts and goblins for our spooky, kooky carnival. Play fun games in a safe, indoor environment. Be sure to get in on the free costume contest, too. each game will cost 1 ticket, or 25 cents. Ages 2-11 are welcome, and everyone is admitted free.

Pumpkin Bash
When: Oct. 29, 4:30-5:30pm
Where: Owen Park
Toss your pumpkin and watch it explode and win prizes for the biggest mess. Woot! There's no fee, but do pre-register. Pumpkins will be provided. Ages 5-11 are welcome, and everyone gets in free.

Flashlight Candy Scramble
When: Oct. 29, 7:30-8pm
Where: Lacy Park & Community Center
Kids will have fun hunting for wrapped candy in the dark. Don't forget a flashlight and a container for all those goodies. Please bring a canned good donation. Oh, and did I mention prizes? They'll be there. Ages 1-12 are welcome, and everyone gets in free.

Halloween Spook Hunt for Candy
When: Oct. 29, 8:25-8:30pm
Where: Hicks Park
Join other kids for a candy hunt in the dark. The hunt won't last long so be prepared with flashlight in hand and arfive no later than 8:10pm. Ages 8-11 are welcome, and everyone gets in free.

Annual "Pumpkin" Hunt
When: Halloween, 5:30pm
Where: Central Park in Broken Arrow, 1500 S. Main Street
Guess how many "pumpkins" (read: plastic eggs with Halloween goodies inside) will be hidden in Central Park this year, just for kids ages 1-7 to hunt? 4,000, that's how many. It's all free and open to the public, and the kiddos are encouraged to come in costume. Stick around for the Main Street Merchants Night Out Against Crime, which packs free activities, food, safety and crime prevention information all into one fun-filled evening.

Halloween Carnival
When: Halloween, 6-8pm
Where: Chamberlain Park
Join the Chamberlain Park Staff and community volunteers for a sook-tacular time. Little ghosts and gouls can participate in carnival games, get candy and have fun. Ages 1-12 are welcome, and everyone gets in free.


For the Adults


Brady Fall Arts Festival
When: Halloween, 10am-6pm
Where: Brady Outdoor Stage, 300 N. Main
Think you can handle 50 local artists? How about enough food and music to make you scream? It's all at Brady Fall Arts Festival all day on All Hallows' Eve. Presented by Local Art Matters.

Grown-Up Trick or Treat
When: Halloween, 6-8pm
Where: Brady Outdoor Stage, 300 N. Main
If you think your costume has what it takes to get the treats and leave the tricks, hit up the Brady Merchants Association at the Grown-Up Trick or Treat this Halloween. The fun kicks off just at sundown.

Spider Ball
When: Halloween, 8pm
Where: Enso's and IDL Ballroom, downton at First and Detroit
If you can monster mash with the best of 'em, get ready to boogie at the first annual Spider Ball, a dance party so big it'll take two clubs to contain it. At Enso's will be Steve Cluck doing his deejay thing, and IDL will feature a live performance by PDA and hot spins by DJ Synthcon. The event is free, but you must be 21 or older to attend, and you have to come in costume - that, or black and white clothing only. A full liquor bar will be ready to rock so, as the Facebook event page for this event says, "bring your sexy."

What are you doing to stretch your budget this Halloween? Share with us in the comments.

1 comment:

Steve Cluck said...

Thank you for the Spider Ball shout out! Hope to see you there!

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