<lst>Here's a collection of events for young and old ghouls who are looking to scare up some Halloween fun.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 23
<cal2>Kid’s Halloween Party. 6-8 p.m., at the Oaks Community Center, 5708 Oak Leather Drive, Burke. The party will feature a costume contest, games, prizes and treats. For children 7 and under. Open to all Burke Centre residents. Space limited; registration is required. Sponsored by The Burke Centre Conservancy. Contact Diane Brown to register at 703-978-2928 or diane@burkecentre.org. Include child’s name, address, phone number and age in e-mails, and designate “Kid’s Halloween Party” as the subject. Contact the Conservancy office for more information, 703-978-2928.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 25
<cal2>Ghost Train. Saturday. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Ride the train through somewhat haunted woods, past the Witches Junction and through the Fairy Tale Loop. Trains arrive at the Pumpkin Patch, where the pumpkins come alive and treats will be handed out. Costumes are encouraged. Appropriate for ages 10 and under. Last train leaves at 5:30 p.m. $3 per person; ages 2 and under are free. At Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, 703-323-3230.
“Howloween.” 3 p.m., at Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. A dog talent and costume contest allows furry friends to earn prizes and treats. Dogs can then go for a walk through the “bone yard” to find hidden treats. All dogs must be leashed and friendly to other dogs, children and adults. $4 per dog. To register, send participant’s name, address, telephone number, program title and a check payable to FCPA, Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA 22150. For credit card reservations, call 703-569-0285. Rain date is Nov. 1.
Goblin Golf. 6-8 p.m., at Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Play with balls that glow in the dark, listen to spooky music and ride the carousel afterwards. Bring a flashlight for the treasure hunt after the ride and game. $6 per golfer. To register, send participant’s name, address, telephone number, program title and a check payable to FCPA, Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA 22150. For credit card reservations, call 703-569-0285. Rain date is Nov. 1.
Terror Trail. 7-11 p.m., in Clifton's Eight-Acre Park; admission is $5. The haunted trail is not recommended for very young children. But they and others may still enjoy "Monster Movies under the Moon," courtesy of Cox Communications. Presented free throughout the evening will be "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein," "The Bride of Frankenstein" and "Beetlejuice." For more information, and in case of rain, call 703-830-0976.
Scarecrow Making. 2 p.m., in the lawn at Olivet Episcopal Church 6107 Franconia Road, Alexandria. For more information, contact Rev. David Harper at 703-971-4733 or visit www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 26
<cal2>Ghost Train. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Ride the train through somewhat haunted woods, past the Witches Junction and through the Fairy tale Loop. Trains arrive at the Pumpkin Patch, where the pumpkins come alive and treats will be handed out. Costumes are encouraged. Appropriate for ages 10 and under. Last train leaves at 5:30 p.m. $3 per person; ages 2 and under are free. At Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, 703-323-3230.
Halloween Mobile. 2-3:30 p.m., at Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield. Participants will make a creepy creature mobile. Materials are provided. Parent must accompany children. $5 per mobile. Reservations required. Call 703-451-9588.
10th Annual Goblin Gallop. Some 800 runners and 200 walkers are expected to participate in the 1K fun run, which starts at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K race, which kicks off at 9 a.m., at the Fair Lakes Shopping Center. The race begins at the Olive Garden restaurant and ends just past it. Race-day registration is in front of Applebee's. Entry fees are $25 for the 5K and $20 for the 1K; register online at www.racepacket.com. Race-day packet pick-up is 7-8:30 a.m. at the registration desk. The course is USATF-certified and goes along the Fair Lakes Parkway. No dogs, strollers, baby joggers or headphones are allowed in the 5K. Tax-deductible donations payable to The John Quadrino Foundation may be sent to the foundation at P.O. Box 4614, Falls Church, VA 22044. For more information, see www.goblingallop.org or call 703-536-2027.
<cal1>Tuesday/Oct. 28
<cal2>Halloween Party. Live magician and plenty of candy for the children. Party begins at 5 p.m., magician at 6 p.m., at Maimonides & Four Seasons Chiropractic Centers, 11194 Lee Highway, Fairfax. R.S.V.P. to 703-772-2205. $10.
Jolly Jack-O-Lanterns. Halloween fun with songs, stories and a pumpkin lighting. Come in costume. Age 3-5 with adult. 10:30 a.m., at Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. 703-978-5600.
Pumpkins and Poems. Autumn stories and activities. Age 2-5 with adult. 1:30 p.m., at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. 703-451-8055.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 29
<cal2>War of the Worlds. 8 p.m., at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax. Ann Bogart's SITI Company performs Orson Welle's Halloween radio thriller, which convinced audiences in 1938 that aliens had invaded Earth. Tickets are $32, $24, $16. Call 703-993-2787.
Scary Movie Night. A screening of the classic silent horror film “Nosferatu,” featuring spooky organ music and light refreshments. Age 13 and up. 7 p.m., at Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
Halloween Haunted House, co-sponsored by Girl Scout Troop 1742 and the Burke Centre Conservancy. 7-9 p.m., at the Woods Community Center. From 5-7 p.m., a children’s craft activity will be offered for younger children. $2 per person for haunted house tours, and $2 per person for craft activity. All proceeds will benefit Girl Scout Troop 1742. For more information, contact the Conservancy office at 703-978-2928. Contact Teresa Fennessy at 703-239-1553 for information on large group reservations for the craft activity.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 30
<cal2>It's Pumpkin Time! Halloween stories and activities Age 2-5 with adult. 2 p.m., at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 31
<cal2>Halloween Hunt. Visit the pumpkin patch, participate in the costume contest, play miniature golf and go in the moon bounce. Refreshments are available. Picture area is open for a fee. 5:30-7 p.m., at Pohick Bay Regional Park. Reservations preferred; space is limited. $5 per child. Call 703-339-6104.
Jaxx Halloween Part with Wildcard and GVB. Live music at Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, West Springfield. Admission is $5. Must be over 21. For ticket information, call the Jaxx Hotline at 703-569-5940.
Halloween Spooktacular. Springfield Mall will offer trick or treating throughout the mall, 6-7 p.m.; a “fun house” with a $3 admission to benefit DECA, an association of marketing students, 5-8 p.m.; a cake walk at J.C. Penny Court, 6-7 p.m.; and arts and crafts tables at the J.C. Penny Court, 6-8 p.m. At Springfield Mall, Springfield. For more information, call 703-971-3600.
Mall-O-Ween. Fair Oaks Mall will host its 16th annual Mall-O-Ween, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Costumed children can trick-or-treat for candy at participating stores. Children can also get a complimentary activity book at the Customer Service Center. Free and open to the public. Fair Oaks Mall is located at the intersection of I-66 and Route 50 in Fairfax.
Trunk and Treat. 6-8 p.m., members of the Central Christian Church will pass out candy in the church parking lot from the trunks of their cars. This is a safe environment for children to dress up in their favorite costumes and receive candy. Fun for children of all ages accompanied by a parent or guardian. The church is located at 6427 Franconia Road, Springfield. For more information, call Jacynda Lynch, the children's minister, at 703-971-0277.