Halloween Traditions A Spooky Good Time
By ANNIE DIMMICK Staff WriterArticle Photos
Fact Box
Ohio Valley Trick-or-Treat Times
Adena - 4 to 6 p.m., Oct. 29
Barnesville - 6 to 7 p.m., Oct. 29
Bellaire - 6 to 7 p.m., Oct. 31
Belmont - 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31; Fun Night to follow from 7 to 9 p.m. in the old gym, Third Street.
Benwood 5:30 to 7 p.m., Oct. 31, with parade lineup at 7 p.m., at the Fourth Street Playground. Following the parade, a party will be held at the Fourth Street Playground.
Bethesda - 6 to 7 p.m., Oct. 31. Parade lineup at 4:30 p.m. at Methodist church, with parade at 5 p.m.
Bridgeport - 7 to 8 p.m., Oct. 31 Halloween costume parade for children 6 p.m., with lineup at 5:45 p.m.
Brooke County (unincorporated areas) - 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.
Cadiz - 4 to 6 p.m., Oct. 31
Cameron - 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 31
Cambridge - 5:30 to 7 p.m., Oct. 31
Centerville - 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Oct. 31. Costume judging will be held at the Smith Township Community Center at 7 p.m. A Halloween party with various games will held following the contest.
Dillonvale - 5 to 7 p.m., Oct. 31
Flushing -5:30 to 7 p.m., Oct. 31
Follansbee - 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 31
Glen Dale 6 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 31
Hopedale - 4 to 6 p.m., Oct. 31
Hundred 6 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 31
Martins Ferry - 6 to 7 p.m., Oct. 29
McMechen - 6 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 31
Mingo Junction - 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31
Moundsville - 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31
New Martinsville - 6 to 7 p.m., Oct. 29
New Athens - 5 to 7 p.m., Oct. 31
New Cumberland - 5 to 7p.m., Oct. 31
Paden City 6 to 7 p.m., Oct. 29. The Paden City American Legion Aux. Unit 86 will host their annual Halloween Treat Giveaway on at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Paden City Fire Hall, Main Street.
Pine Grove - 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 29
Rayland - 6 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 31. Cleveland and Main streets will be closed.
Smithfield - 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 31.
St. Clairsville - 6 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 31
Steubenville - 5:30-7:30 p.m., Oct. 29. Thcity's Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor a Halloween party from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center.
Tiltonsville - 6 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 31
Toronto - 5 to 7 p.m., Oct. 31
Triadelphia - 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 29
Valley Grove - 6:30 to 8 p.m., Oct. 29
Weirton - 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 31
Wellsburg - 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 31
Wheeling 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 29
Wintersville - 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 31
WHEELING - The Ohio Valley may be known for its various Christmas traditions, but it's home to Halloween traditions as well.
Whether people are taking their children to Boo at the Zoo at Oglebay Park or attending a community festival, one thing is certain-old and new traditions are alive and well.
Among pumpkin carving and wearing costumes, trick-or-treating is one of the most popular Halloween events, however, for those parents looking to send their children to supervised events, there are several in the valley.
Penny Miller, director of the Oglebay Good Zoo, said Boo at the Zoo has been going strong for more than 25 years, giving youngsters and adults a "fun, safe scare."
"It's the type of tradition that parents who used to go to it as kids now bring their children," Miller said.
Since its inception, little ghosts, ghouls and goblins have visited nine treat stations at the event, all while getting to visit with some of the zoo animals and taking a spooky ride on the zoo train. Carved pumpkins traditionally adorn the walkway, in addition to a graveyard. Recently, the zoo replaced its laser show at the Benedum Theater with a pirate-themed walkthrough area. A Spiffy Spider contest is new this year, and children are encouraged to exercise their creativity by creating a giant spider, with winning entries receiving a prize.
"We always add some new things, but we keep the favorites," Miller said.
Boo at the Zoo will conclude this evening, running from 6 to 9 p.m.
Last year, villagers in Belmont gave new life to an old tradition with the re-opening of the Belmont Fun Night in the old gym on Third Street. According to Belmont Village Councilmember J.B. Flood, Fun Night includes many activities and contests for children 12 and under, including a dime toss, balloon dart toss, cake walk, costume contest and fish pond, among others. Concessions are also available.
"There are some families that don't want their kids to go trick or treating," said Paula Fankhouser, who works in the village building. "They can come here."
Fankhouser said she used to go to Fun Night as a child, but, after several years, it was no longer offered. Two years ago, villagers decided to bring back the event.
"It's fun," Fankhouser said. "The little kids have great fun. They run around all over the gym."
Fun Night will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31.
In Bellaire, preparations are taking places for Boo in the Park, which is scheduled for 6- 9 p.m. Oct. 28 in the village park on Belmont Street.
According to event co-chairman Lou Ann Bennett, this is the fourth year for the event, which features 10 treat stations in which candy, drinks, coloring books and other goodies are given to kids ages 12 and under or those who attend Bellaire Local Schools.
"It's a fun evening," Bennett said. "The kids enjoy coming down to the park. It's something that's fun for the adults."
Bennett said she expects 500 children will attend the event this year, adding that it is growing every year.
