Tuesday, October 23, 2012 — For the next few days Stanly County stages celebrations of fall against a backdrop of Carolina blue skies and brilliant foliage. From haunted hills to corn mazes to trick or treat, there’s something for everyone.

Ready to be scared out of your wits? Then be sure to turn up at the Morrow Mountain State Park Lodge on this Thursday at 7 pm when the Stanly County Museum presents “Tales from the Haunted Uwharries”.  Appearing on stage will be two talented Stanly County natives, Heather Ross Miller, who will share scary real-life stories, and Mark Stevenson, who will present a haunting performance based on stories by Fred Morgan.

Friday is the time for the Oakboro Cruise-In & Burnout.  Billed as the largest downtown Cruise-In in North Carolina, this Stanly County event attracts thousands of people. The event starts at 5 pm. It’s a great place to see some very unique cars and trucks. The Cruise-In is always on the 4th Friday of every month. The Burnout starts at 9 pm and this will be the last one for the season. Don’t miss this unique experience.

For three nights starting on Friday, the Maze of Terror is sure to get you in the mood for Halloween. From 7 pm to 10 pm each evening, wander through a maze of corn stalks to experience lots of scary stuff. The Maze of Terror is at Muddy Boots Farm on Highway 73 between Millingport and Mount Pleasant. Youth Fright Night is Sunday, October 28th and the regular Get Lost Corn Maze is open on Saturday from 11 am until 6 pm and on Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm.

Saturday brings a very special event at Market Station in downtown Albemarle. Vendors and patrons of the Stanly County Farmers’ Market celebrate the end of another successful season with their annual Arts and Crafts Fair. This is when local farmers’, artists and crafters show their stuff in addition to sharing local late season crops. The event is from 8 am until noon.

Monarch will host its Third Annual Community Craft Show from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday at its Stanly Industrial Services, 730 Greenwood St., Albemarle. The public is invited to attend. Vendors from across the region will display unique handmade crafts, beautiful wreaths, candles,  purses, jewelry, decorative baskets and much, much more – just in time for the holidays. Candy apples, funnel cakes and hotdogs will also be sold. Proceeds from the sale will benefit activities and programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Stanly County. Admission is free, but a canned food donation is encouraged to benefit Christian Ministries. The first 50 shoppers will receive a free gift.

Between 5:30 pm and 7 pm on Saturday afternoon head for Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer for the fourth annual Trunk or Treat. Children of all ages and their families are invited to join the Pfeiffer community for an opportunity to go Trick or Treating in a safe environment. The event includes Pfeiffer students decorating and filling their trunks with loads of candy.

Saturday evening from 6 pm to 9 pm brings us Stanfield’s Annual Fall Festival. The town is also celebrating its 100 year anniversary. Trunk-n-Treat starts at 6 pm. There’ll be a hayride to the pumpkin patch, bounce house, games, giant hay maze, free hotdogs and drinks, DJ Wes Tucker, and so much more.

And last but certainly not least, Tuesday October 30, brings the 7th Annual Fall Festival and Kids Costume Parade in downtown Albemarle. From 4 pm to 6 pm come and visit participating businesses to receive candy. Costume parade participants are asked to arrive by 3:45 pm at the old Lorch Plumbing parking lot on 2nd Street.

Keep an eye open for those little ghosts and goblins this Halloween and enjoy our beautiful Carolina fall.