You don’t need a fancy store-bought costume to compete in the costume contest at Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center this weekend.
In fact, make your superhero costume entirely out of recycled soda bottles and you might stand a better chance of taking home a prize.
The costume contest -- featuring categories such as “best use of recycled material,” “best use of natural material” and “outstanding group theme” -- is just part of “Tricks, Treats and Trails.” Kids can also go trick or treating on the wetland trails, learn about fossils inside the Natural History Center or listen to ghost stories read by members of Columbus State University’s Department of Theatre.
Live music begins at 4:30 p.m. and the costume contest begins at 5:30 p.m.
Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Center will be at the event to lead a program on owls and release one of their rehabilitated birds into the wetland. Stick around after dark for some stargazing with experts from the Coca-Cola Space Science Center.
Haven’t carved a jack-o'-lantern yet? Best Nursery will have pumpkins for sale at the event.
The Empty Bowl pottery sale and dinner is a new component that benefits Feeding the Valley. Purchase a handmade bowl, created by members and staff of the Britt David Pottery studio, and enjoy a dinner of soup, bread and dessert -- then you get to keep your empty bowl. Dinner is $10 for adults and $5 for children younger than 12.
General admission is $5, but it’s free for children 3 and younger. For more information, call 706-807-8550.
More events this weekend
Building Quarantine: This scary walk-through at the Gallery13 event center promises lots of zombies. The terror begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The walk-through will also be open next weekend, October 28-29. Admission is $5. The center is located at 4216 A Hamilton Road. For info, visit Gallery13’s Facebook page.
Downtown Zombie Walk: Got a craving for brains? Dress up in your bloodiest outfit and shuffle to the parking garage beside Houlihans on Front Avenue. The zombie walk begins at 5:30 p.m. The undead will make their way up Broadway for dinner at Country’s BBQ, then hit the bars. Walk is free. For info, visit the Columbus Georgia Zombie Walk Facebook page.
Monster’s Ball tickets: Make your reservations by Wednesday, October 26, for this annual ball at the Columbus Museum, sponsored by the Columbus Museum Contemporaries. Prizes will be awarded for best couple, best group and most original costume. Tickets are $20 per person for members and $25 per person for non-members. Info: 706-748-2562 ext. 542 or mluby@columbusmuseum.com.
Florence Marina State Park Octoberfest: Take a haunted hayride, play games, do the cakewalk and compete in a costume contest at the state park in Omaha, Ga. The fun begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $1, plus $5 for parking. Tickets will be sold for $1 each for games and rides. Info: 229-838-4706.
