Fall activities and events to enjoy this week

MADISON – With the start of October, comes an increased excitement for the autumnal season and all of the fun activities associated with it. Fortunately, the Madison and Huntsville areas boast of ample opportunities for people of all ages to take part in fall-time festivities.

Because it can be difficult to keep track of all that’s available, compiled below is a list of different festive events that will take place in the area. Some events require purchase of tickets or registration prior to attending.

Huntsville Botanical Garden

The Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, invites residents to celebrate all season long with Festifall, which started in September and continues to run through the rest of October. It also offers other fall-themed events throughout the month.

• BOOs and Beats Dance Party: Friday, Oct. 25, 8–11 p.m.

• Meow-o-ween Cat Costume Contest: Monday, Oct. 28, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Huntsville-Madison County Public Library

The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library system has fallthemed programming all season at its different branches, including lots of crafts, a movie series and Halloween parties. Certain events are aimed at specific age groups. Below are just some of the many activities the library system puts on.

• Madison Public Library’s Boo Bash (142 Plaza Boulevard): Tuesday, Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m.

• Monrovia Public Library’s Notso Spooky Halloween Bash (254 Allen Drake Drive): Wednesday, Oct. 30, 3:30 p.m.

• Downtown Huntsville Library’s Trick-or-Treating (915 Monroe Street): Thursday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m.

North Alabama Railroad Museum

The North Alabama Railroad Museum, 694 Chase Road NE, will offer two different Fall Color Train rides in October, as well as pumpkin patch related train rides.

Fall Color Special: Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Church-hosted Fall Events

Several local churches also put together fall festivals or trunk or treat events. The following list includes a few locations residents can go for safe, family-friendly fun. Like many other events, some of the churches ask for people to register prior to attending.

First Bible Church Madison’s Fall Festival (29113 Huntsville Brownsferry Road): Wednesday, Oct. 23, 6–7:30 p.m.

Ascension Lutheran Church’s Trunk or Treat (3801 Oakwood Avenue): Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Greenbrier Baptist Church’s Harvest Festival (7939 Greenbrier Road): Saturday, Oct. 26, 4–6 p.m.

Madison Methodist Church’s Trunk or Treat (127 Church Street) Saturday, Oct. 26, 5–7 p.m.

Good Shepherd United Methodist Church’s Trunk or Treat (1418 Old Railroad Bed Road): Sunday, Oct. 27, 3–5 p.m.

Willowbrook Church Huntsville’s Fall Festival (7625 Bailey Cove Road SE): Sunday, Oct. 27, 4–6 p.m.

Madison Church of Christ’s Trunk or Treat (556 Hughes Road): Sunday, Oct. 27 5 p.m.

The Grove Church’s Fall Festival (12300 County Line Road): Sunday, Oct. 27, 5–7 p.m.

Willowbrook Church Madison’s Fall Festival (446 Jeff Road SE): Wednesday, Oct. 30, 4–6 p.m.

Madison Free Will Baptist Church’s Trunk or Treat (5295 Wall Triana Highway): Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6–7:30 p.m.

Madison Church of the Nazarene’s Trunk or Treat (8234 Old Madison Pike): Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6–8 p.m.

CornerstoneWord of Life Church’s Fall Festival (3783 Sullivan Street): Thursday, Oct. 31, 6:30–9:30 p.m.

Other Area Fall Events

• Purpose Event Venue’s Spooky Bingo (8760 Madison Boulevard STE J): Friday, Oct. 18, 7–11 p.m.

• EarlyWorks’ Halloween Bash (404 Madison Street): Thursday, Oct. 24, Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26, 4:30–8:30 p.m.

• Three Caves’ Fall Hike and Campfire Stories (901 Kennamer Drive SE) : Friday, Oct. 25, 5:30–7 p.m.

• Toyota Field’s Fall Festival (500 Trash Panda Way): Saturday, Oct. 26, 5–9 p.m.

• New Market Recreation Center’s Trunk or Treat (447 Hurricane Road): Saturday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m.

• Monrovia Parks and Recreation’s Trunk or Treat (1962 Jeff Road): Saturday, Oct. 26, 4–6 p.m.

• Huntsville Police Department and Huntsville Parks and Recreation’s Halloween Party (Orion Amphitheater, 701 Amphitheater Drive NW): Sunday, Oct. 27, 4–9 p.m.

• Phil Sandoval’s Mexican Restaurante’s Halloween Paint Night (6125 University Drive E-18): Tuesday, Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m.

• City of Madison and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5162’s Downtown Madison Trunk or Treat: Tuesday, Oct. 31, 5:30–7 p.m.