Alexandria Ghots and Folklore. Alexandria is one of the most haunted cities in the country. On Thursday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m., writers Michael Lee Pope (author of Ghosts of Alexandria) and JJ Smith (author of Haunted Alexandria and Northern Virginia) join Betty Ward of Footsteps to the Past as they share stories of the Female Stranger, Swope House, Ramsay House, Wise Tavern and many more.
Bittersweet Catering has donated food for a coffee and dessert reception following the stories. Those who dare may take a short ghost walk at the end of this event.
Admission is $10. Street parking is limited to two hours. Parking under Market Square (Fairfax and King Streets) is $2 for the entire evening.
Eerie Origami on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 1-2 p.m., children (age 6-9) are invited to hear a ghost story pulled from Virginia folklore. An art teacher will lead children in using their imaginations to create a paper-based Halloween craft. The event is free.
The Japanese art of paper folding has never been this creepy. See what kind of Halloween decorations you can make. All ghost stories are kid-tested to not be too scary. All craft materials provided. Parents, feel free to join in and make crafts with your children, or head upstairs to see the latest art exhibition in the Athenaeum gallery.
Call 703-548-0035 for more information. The Athenaeum is located at 201 Prince St. Visit www.nvfaa.org.
In the fall of 1780, Death visited Carlyle House and claimed the life of town founder John Carlyle. On Saturday, Oct. 27 from 6-9 p.m., step back in time and be a part of this historic funeral as you learn about mourning practices in early America.
Admission includes a ghost tour of Old Town Alexandria, during which participants will visit the candlelit Carlyle House to view the coffin and pay respects to surviving family members. At 9 p.m., join the funeral procession as mourners process with the coffin from Carlyle House and proceed south on Fairfax Street to the Old Presbyterian Meeting House. A short 18th-century benediction and blessing will be held in the Meeting House followed by a mock internment at John Carlyle's lantern-lit grave in the cemetery.
The Historical Haunt Tour will be offered every 15 minutes beginning at 6:15 p.m. with the last tour at 8:15 p.m. Tours will start at Market Square at the corner of King and N. Fairfax Streets. Call Alexandria's Footsteps at 703-683-3451 to purchase a ticket for $15.
For those who wish to only visit Carlyle House Museum for the Death and Mourning program, the cost is $5 per person and these tickets can be purchased at the museum. Reservations are recommended for the historical haunt tour and funeral package.
Located at 121 N. Fairfax St. in Old Town Alexandria, Carlyle House Historic Park is a property of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. Hours are Tuesday–Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, from 12-4 p.m. Call 703-549-2997 or visit www.nvrpa.org.
The Old Town Boutique District, a marketing cooperative of 30 Alexandria boutiques, will be celebrating Halloween with its 4th annual Trick or Treating event on Saturday, Oct. 27. Children (and adults) of all ages are invited to visit participating boutiques to receive special tricks or treats.
All of the participating OTBD stores will offer treats. Some may also offer family friendly tricks. Halloween costumes are encouraged. Tricks and treats will be available during the day and during store hours.
To identify participating OTBD stores, a special "Trick or Treat with the Boutiques" poster will be displayed in all participating stores, which include:
Apple Seed, 703-535-5446, 115 S. Columbus St. www.appleseedboutique.com
Bellacara, 703-299-9652, 1000 King St. www.bellacara.com
Bishop Boutique, 571-312-0042, 815B King St. www.bishopboutique.com
Bloomers, 571-312-0852, 924 King St. www.shopbloomers.com
Current Boutique, 703-549-2272, 1009 King St. www.currentboutique.com
Diva, 703-683-1022, 116 S. Pitt St. www.divaboutiqueva.com
European Country Living, 1006 King St. www.europeancountryliving.com
Fibre Space, 703-664-0344, 102 North Fayette St. www.fibrespace.com
Gossypia, 703-836-6969, 325 Cameron Street, www.gossypia.com
Hooray for Books, 703-548-4092, 1555 King St. www.hooray4books.com
Hysteria, 703-548-1615, 125 S. Fairfax St. www.shophysteria.com
La Cuisine, 703-836-4435, 323 Cameron St. www.lacuisineus.com
Lawrence Miller & Co, 703-548-0659, 121 S. Royal St. www.lawrencedmiller.com
Little Monogram Shop, 703-549-3777, 106 ½ N. Columbus St. www.thelittlemonogramshop.net
Lou Lou, 703-299-9505, 132 King St. www.loulouboutiques.com
Mint Condition, 703-836-6468, 114 S. Royal St. www.shopmintcondition.com
Monday's Child, 703-548-3505, 218 N. Lee St. www.Mondayschildofalexandria.com
Mystique Jewelers, 703-836-1401, 211 The Strand, www.mystiquejewelers.com
Olio Tasting Room, 703-299-3004, 1223 King St. www.oliotastingroom.com
Pacers, 703-836-1463, 1301 King St. www.runpacers.com
Periwinkle, 703-519-5242, 1557 Potomac Greens Dr. www.periwinkleshop.com
Pink & Brown, 703-684-1050, 1212 King St. www.pinkandbrownboutique.com
Pretty People, 703-739-2522, 108 N. Patrick St. www.prettypeoplevintage.com
Red Barn Mercantile, 703-838-0355, 1117 King St. www.redbarnmercantile.com
Stuart Nordin, 571-357-1144, 101 S. St Asaph St. www.stuartnordin.com
The Christmas Attic, 703-548-2829, 125 S. Union St. www.christmasattic.com
The Dog Park, 703-888-2818, 705 King St.
The Shoe Hive, 703-548-7105, 127 S. Fairfax St. www.theshoehive.com
The Spice and Tea Exchange, 571-312-8505, 320 King St. www.spiceandtea.com
The Sugar Cube, 703-548-2868, 1218 King St. www.sugarcubesweets.com
Today’s Cargo, 703-836-6686, 1102 King St. www.todayscargo.com
Walker Home, 703-299-9255, 1125 King St. www.walkerhomeinc.com
Zoe Boutique, 571-970-6324, 130 S. Union St. www.shopatzoe.com
To learn more about the Old Town Boutique District, visit www.OldTownBoutiqueDistrict.com.
Halloween has officially gone to the dogs with the Doggie Happy Howl-o-ween Costume Contest on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at Hotel Monaco Alexandria Courtyard of Jackson 20 Restaurant. Local pets and their human companions are expected to turn out in droves for this popular pet costume contest, which has become an annual tradition in Old Town Alexandria. Cheered on by spectators and a panel of judges, up to 50 contestants will strut down the catwalk in the outdoor courtyard, modeling their Halloween finest.
Prizes will be awarded for:
The Most Political Pooch
The Most Glamorous Get-Up
The Best Dressed Couple (pet/owner costume combo
The "Top Dog" Award (best overall costume
During the evening's festivities, guests can purchase Halloween-themed cocktails and light bites from Jackson 20 restaurant, while complimentary doggie treats and fresh water bowls will be available for all canine friends.
This year, the costume contest will be limited to 50 entrants. Once this limit is reached, registration will be closed. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Contest registration runs from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Contest begins at 6 p.m. Winners will be announced at 7 p.m.
The two and four-legged costume contest winners will be selected by a judge panel including William D. Euille, Mayor of Alexandria; Kelly Collis, morning radio host of 94.7 FRESH-FM's Tommy Show and publisher of CityShopGirl; Charlotte Hall, Chair of the Board of Directors, Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA); Matthew Hurlburt, general manager, Hotel Monaco Alexandria Courtyard of Jackson 20 Restaurant and Hotel Monaco Alexandria 480 King St.
Event will be held in the Jackson 20 Restaurant courtyard, use the Royal Street entrance. Call 703-549-6080 or visit www.monaco-alexandria.com or www.jackson20.com.
Open to the public with a $10 registration fee for all participants, and a $10 suggested door donation for non-participants. Registration fees and door donations will benefit the AWLA.