Halloween tricks and treats

There is no shortage of activities for all ages coming up this weekend and next week in preparation and celebration of Halloween. 
A holiday that originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, where people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts, has changed over the years and become a childhood favorite. 
Today’s Halloween focuses, in our opinion, on community and neighborly get-togethers centered around children instead of ghosts, pranks and witchcraft. At the turn of the century, according to history.com, Halloween parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the holiday with the parties focusing on games, seasonal foods and festive costumes. 
This year, Newcastle and Weston County will have plenty of activities to offer for all ages. The festivities begin this coming weekend with both the Fall Family Frenzy and the Weston County Sportsman’s Club’s Pumpkin Shoot, both scheduled for Oct. 26. 
For those looking to be scared out of their britches this Halloween, there is no need to travel to find spine-tingling thrills. For the first time ever, Frightmare on Main will take place in the historic Antler’s basement, which many say is haunted without any decorations like fake ghouls and goblins. 
But don’t worry, there will be plenty of tricks and treats in store for the actual Halloween holiday on Oct. 31, when children will fill the sidewalks of Main Street and other locations dressed from head to toe in an array of costumes. 
For several years the community has utilized a “trunk or treat” event to allow businesses to interact with the children while providing a safe and early option for kids of all ages. This event continues to get bigger and bigger every year with attendees last year reporting at least 600 goodies being given out. 
Halloween shouldn’t be all about the kids though, and it is important for us to remember that the elderly would love to experience some of the holiday joy while distributing candy to hoards of children. Both the Weston County Manor and Mondell Heights will have trick-or-treating opportunities to bring some excitement to their facilities. 
 
Halloween activity schedule
Friday, Oct. 25: 
Antlers Hotel Presents FrightMare on Main, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the basement of
the Antlers
Saturday, Oct. 26: 
Antlers Hotel Presents FrightMare on Main, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the basement of
the Antlers
Weston County Sportsman’s Club Pumpkin Shoot, 9 a.m. registration at the
Weston County Sportsman’s Club
Fall Family Frenzy, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Weston County Fairgrounds
Thursday, Oct. 31: 
Trunk-or-Treat, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Main Street
Trick-or-Treating at the Manor, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
Trick-or-Treating at Mondell Heights, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., look for the doors with
the bats