Spooky Season
Bailey Adams
With Halloween just around the corner, it is officially spooky season in Rolla, Missouri. To celebrate the season, there are endless opportunities for fun in and around the city. With events ranging from Zumbaween to Pete’s Goat Tower, the possibilities to revel in the holiday are endless.
The Missouri S&T Haunted Mine is the perfect way to get a little scared during weekends in October. Beginning on Friday, October 19th, thrill-seekers can head to Missouri S&T’s Experimental Mine to walk through the darkness for a truly frightening experience. Dates for Missouri S&T Haunted Mine are October 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, and Wednesday the 31st from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The Mine is also open from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM on these nights, but with the lights on so small children can enjoy the fun of the Haunted Mine too without the eerie darkness. The cost for adults to attend is $15, with a discount for Missouri S&T students and Military. There is an additional $1 discount for every canned good donated at the Haunted Mine, with a cap of a $3 discount per person. All canned goods donations go to Russell House. Head out to 12350 Private Drive 7002 in Rolla, MO for this spooky soirée.
Looking for a way to let loose and show your competitive spirit? Rolla’s local fire department, the Rolla L3987 Firefighters, are hosting their 2nd Annual Hose & Harvest Softball Tournament Fundraiser. This tournament will take place at Ber Juan Park from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on October 20th. Not only will the fall themed softball tournament be a fun way to enjoy the beautiful change in weather, but it is also for a great cause. All proceeds raised from the fundraiser will go to Rolla’s Backpack Program - an organization that sends bags of food home with school children to fill in the gaps during the weekend during which students may not have meals to eat at home.
On October 27th, the Rolla Multisport Club is hosting an event that will get you up and moving - the 7th Annual Bonehead 5k/10k. The early registration deadline has passed, but those wishing to run the 5K race can still pay the regular registration fee of $30, while 10K participants can register for $35. A portion of the money raised from registration fees will benefit the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for children. Additionally, paid registrants will receive an event t-shirt and for runners age 21 and over, a free beer at the post-race beer garden at Public House. If running is not your thing, walkers and joggers are also welcome to complete the 5k route. The Bonehead 5K/10K will begin at 8:00 AM at 7th and Rolla St. in downtown Rolla. More information can be found on the race’s website: bonehead5k10k.itsyourrace.com.
If you have never tried out Zumba before, now is the perfect time. The Shamrock World Dance & Movement Center at 1032 S. Bishop in Rolla, MO is hosting a Zumbaween Party on October 30th. This Zumba dance party will feature halloween tunes to get you in the holiday mood. For members of the Shamrock World Dance & Movement Center, the Zumbaween Party is free, but non-members can pay a $5 entry fee to join in on the spooky Zumba session. Rumor has it, disco balls and snacks will be involved, so it will not be an event to miss.
A campus favorite event that happens each year is coming up on October 27th - KMNR’s Freaker’s Ball. This year’s Freaker’s Ball is themed Spooky Island, paying homage to Spooky Island - The Scooby Doo Movie. Freaker’s Ball is a concert featuring artists Omega Swan, PONCÉ, and Sam Johnston. The concert is free to all ages and there is a cash bar at the event for guests who are ages 21 and over with a valid (government issued) ID. KMNR’s Freaker’s Ball takes place 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Rolla Moose Lodge, located at 14595 Country Road 7100. Conveniently, there will be a shuttle bus stopping by the Havener Center every 20 minutes to provide transportation to those who wish to attend. KMNR 89.7 FM encourages guests to come in halloween costumes of all kinds to embrace the spooky season.
Pete’s Pumpkin Patch, located at 18385 S. US Hwy 63 in Rolla, is a fun location to participate in a variety of fall activities. Open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays during weekends in October, Pete’s Pumpkin Patch has something for everyone. Attendees can enjoy a zip line, a giant slide, a bounce house, a rock climbing wall, a hay ride, and more. The Rolling Rat at Pete’s is an attraction featuring human sized hamster wheels that guests can race each other in. Another unique part of the pumpkin patch is the goat tower. Just as the name suggests, Pete’s Goat Tower is a four-story tower with a wrap around staircase for goats to play on. Besides goats, there are many other farm animals at the pumpkin patch who would love some company. Guests also have the opportunity to purchase pumpkins by the pound at the patch. The food, the fun, and the fall make Pete’s Pumpkin Patch a favorite seasonal location for many.
October may be half way over, but there is still plenty of time to enjoy the wide array of autumnal experiences in Rolla. These events provide a way to become engaged in the community, to give back to charities in need of donations, and to make the most out of Halloween this year. With so many chances to get involved, there is no excuse to waste the final two weeks of October, so put on your spooky suit, get out there, and explore!
