North part of the valley offers abundance of fall activities
Halloween is weeks away, and the northwest area is preparing for cooler temperatures with fall festivals and ghastly activities for people of all ages.
FALL AND HARVEST FESTIVALS
Fans of animals, pumpkins and treats are invited to the Great Pumpkin Parrot Festival scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 25 at Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary, 8103 Racel St.
Activities are set to include a craft project, story time, carnival-style games, line dancing lessons and animal interactions.
“This is a very educational, but fun, event,” said Carrie Marques, education and wellness director at the sanctuary. “We’ll have presentations with the animals, and we’ll show kids how to make cockatoo sock puppets.”
Food and pumpkins are to be available for purchase.
Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children 2 to 12. The event is free for children younger than 2 and active military members with identification.
Visit gnslasvegas.org.
Interested in helping animals while celebrating what fall has to offer?
The Farm, 7222 W. Grand Teton Drive, has scheduled its annual Fall Harvest Festival from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 17-19, 24-26 and 30-31. The event is set to include hayrides, a farm train, animals and a hay maze.
“The animals (roam freely), and kids can walk right up to them,” said Dr. Jodi Politz, volunteer. “It’s a very interactive event, and all of the proceeds go towards helping the animals here, some of which have been mistreated or abused.”
A concession stand selling barbecue, candied apples, baked goods and pumpkin chips is planned.
Pumpkin carving is scheduled throughout the day, and the farm is set to sell jams, jellies, local honey, eggs and seasonal fruits and vegetables.
The concession stand and rides are to be available only on Saturdays and Sundays.
Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children.
Visit thelasvegasfarm.com.
Harvest Days at Tule Springs is set from 2 to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends through Oct. 30 at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, 9200 Tule Springs Road.
The nonprofit Horses4Heroes is set to celebrate fall with a pumpkin patch, corn maze, horse-drawn hay rides, ranch games and more. Closed-toe shoes are required for all activities.
Admission is $10 or $15 per person, which includes a pumpkin and free for children younger than 2. Parking is $6 per vehicle.
Call 702-596-6715.
A fall festival is planned at 2 p.m. Oct. 19 at Pop Squires Park, 7530 Nicklin St., in the Village of Centennial Springs.
The free festival is to be hosted by Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. The event is set to include free refreshments, hayrides, games, crafts and more.
A live concert featuring the Christian band Koine is set at 4 p.m.
A food drive is also planned.
Visit shepherdofthehillslv.org.
Old Nevada Days at Tule Springs plans to celebrate 150 years of Nevada Statehood at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, 9200 Tule Springs Road, from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 31.
The event is set to include barnyard activities, a Trunk or Treat event, a costume contest, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, horse-drawn wagon rides, games and more. The event is free to attend.
Call 702-885-1943.
Leticia’s Mexican Cocina is set to host a carnival and street festival to celebrate Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos.
The fifth annual Dia de Los Muertos Trunk or Treat Carnival & Festival is planned at 5 p.m. Oct. 24 and 26 and at 3 p.m. Oct. 25 at 7585 Norman Rockwell Lane. The free event is set to include a classic car show, arts and craft vendors, live entertainment and rides.
Call 702-445-7722 or visit leticiascocina.com.
RUNNING FOR A CAUSE
For those trying to plan an active Halloween outing, the inaugural Trick or Trot 5K/10K /Family Fun Run is set from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, 9200 Tule Springs Road.
The event is to be timed, and prizes will be given for first, second and third places.
Each runner is set to receive a shirt, water bottle, medal and snacks and drinks.
Runners in the 5K and 10K events can register for $35 each. Students, seniors, military and group discounts are available.
Runners and families are encouraged to attend in costumes to participate in a costume contest. Judges are to be on the lookout for the most original costume, best storybook character, prettiest princess, handsome hero and best group costume.
The family fun run is free, and activities such as trick-or treating, horseback rides, pumpkin patch, games, food and hayrides are planned for children.
All proceeds are to be given to Eagle Quest of Nevada, a nonprofit that provides Nevada’s at-risk youths with services, programs and activities.
“We are trying to raise funds to help the underprivileged youth in Southern Nevada have a better Christmas,” said Kris Welte, director of the nonprofit. “It’s a great event for a great cause.”
Visit trickortrot5klv.com.
SPOOKY TALES AND GHOST STORIES AT THE LIBRARY
Families hoping to hear tales of fright can visit the Centennial Hills Library, 6711 N. Buffalo Drive, for an afternoon of stories and costumes.
A spooky tales puppet show is planned at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 17 and 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at the library. Children up to age 11 are invited to dress up for a puppet show with singing and dancing to celebrate Halloween with creepy costumes and spooky tales.
Ghost Stories Around the Campfire is planned at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 29. Children ages 6 to 11 are invited to wear their Halloween costume or pajamas for an afternoon of ghost stories.
Space is limited for both programs. Tickets are to be given out a half-hour before the program starts. Call 702-507-6100.
NEIGHBORHOOD HALLOWEEN PARTY
An annual neighborhood Halloween party is set from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4601 W. Lake Mead Blvd.
Entertainment is set to include party games and refreshments. Admission is free, and people of all faiths and ages are welcome.
Call 702-648-8437 or visit wpcvegas.org.
THE HUNT FOR THE PERFECT PUMPKIN
Finally, no fall is complete without a visit to the local pumpkin patch at Gilcrease Orchard, 7800 N. Tenaya Way.
The pumpkin patch is scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 30.
The orchard plans to have its signature apple cider, apple cider doughnuts and varied produce selection for sale. Wagon rides and a maze are set to be available to extend the fun. Pumpkins are 50 cents per pound.
In addition, a new parking lot opened on the south side of the orchard. Cars are no longer able to drive into the orchard for customer safety and insurance reasons.
Call 702-409-0655 or visit thegilcreaseorchard.org.
Contact North View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.