A haunting good time: Halloween kicks into high gear Tuscaloosa

Halloween kicks into high gear in Tuscaloosa during the next few days.

The University of Alabama, the city of Tuscaloosa, the Tuscaloosa Public Library and the police departments in Tuscaloosa and Northport all have kid-friendly Halloween events coming up.

Here's your guide to what's happening:

Here's your day-by-day guide so you can create a winning game plan for this Halloween:

Oct. 20

The University of Alabama gymnastics team will host "Ghosts and Goblins" at 4 p.m. Oct. 20 in the gymnastics practice gym at Coleman Coliseum.  Admission is free and the event will include a costume contest, candy, games and prizes for all who attend.

Monster Makeover closing party, 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Harrison Galleries, LLC. The Tuscaloosa News-born event teams with the Arts Council, Harrison Galleries and others to bring back the art exhibit featuring kids' monster art, and descriptions, side-by-side with adult professional artist's interpretations of the kids' work. A silent auction, and T-shirt sales, will go to benefit local education funds.

Oct. 22

The Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum, 1901 Jack Warner Parkway, will hold its free Fall into Autumn event from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Attendees can expect autumn-inspired activities, refreshments, decorations, pumpkin-themed games, candy cornhole games and the chance to paint a pumpkin to take home. Costumes are welcome, but not required.

Oct. 23

Families are encouraged to come for the Halloween Extravaganza at the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility off Coliseum Drive on the UA campus beginning at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 23. The event, which is free, includes trick-or-treating, games, and the chance for children ages 13 and younger to meet UA student-athletes. Everyone is encouraged to bring canned or non-perishable food items to donate to the Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive.

Oct. 24

The City of Tuscaloosa will host the seventh annual Tech or Treat from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Gateway,  2614 University Blvd East. Tech or Treat is a free community event similar to a “trunk-or-treat.” Families and children will go from table-to-table collecting candy and being introduced to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) concepts through activities facilitated by City departments and community organizations. Booth spaces are still open for organizations interested in participating. To register for a booth space or to learn more about the event, go to tuscaloosa.com/techortreat. The event is open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Bama Art House Nostalgic Fall Blockbuster series will present "Bram Stoker's Dracula" at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Bama Theatre. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on Stoker's novel "Dracula," in which the centuries-old vampire travels to England to court new blood. Starring Gary Oldman as Dracula, with co-stars  Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins and Keanu Reeves. The doors, box office and Bama Bar open at 6. Admission is $10 general, $9 for students and seniors, and $8 for Arts Council members.

Oct. 25

The University of Alabama Museums will host "Haunting at the Museum" from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Alabama Museum of Natural History at 427 Sixth Ave. on the UA campus.

The event will feature a visit from UA elephant mascot Big Al at 6 p.m., a costume contest with a prize for the winner, mad scientist experiments, crafts and more Halloween activities. Admission is free.

Beginning Oct. 23, the Alabama Museum of Natural History will have lights, candy and a scavenger hunt during regular operating hours, 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Families with kids in costumes will be admitted free. Also, the Gorgas House Museum, 810 Capstone Drive, will have free haunted tours from 9 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. during regular operating hours Oct. 23-27 and Oct. 30-31. Guests will hear spooky stories associated with the Gorgas House.

Oct. 26

The Northport Police Department will host a fall festival from 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 26 at Kentuck Park, 3401 Fifth St. Costumes are encouraged at the free event, which will include trick-or-treating, food trucks, bounce houses, a hayride, and a whole lot of fun.

Oct. 27

The Tuscaloosa Public Library will host a "Boook-tacular Evening" from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 27 at the main branch, 1801 Jack Warner Parkway. The free event will include candy, music and hands-on activities for ghouls and ghosts of all ages.

Oct. 28

"Boo! In the Park," organized by the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority, will be held from 9 a.m. until noon Oct. 28 at Mason’s Place in Munny Sokol Park South, 5901 Watermelon Road. The free event is designed for children of all ages.  Costumes are encouraged.  "Boo! In the Park" will feature costume contests for kids and pets, along with carnival-style fun, including games, inflatable bounce houses, candy and prizes. The event will also include  "Touch A Truck," featuring heavy vehicles —  concrete mixers, farm tractors, fire trucks, and more — for kids to explore. For more information, go to www.tcpara.org/programs/parakids/halloween.

Trick or Treat at Lurleen State Park will be from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 28, This is the park's annual Camp Fear event, with Halloween decorations and trick-or-treating for kids. Admission is $2 for those younger than 12 and $4 for those 12 and older. The park is at 13226 Lake Lurleen Road in Coker.  www.alapark.com/parks/lake-lurleen-state-park.

DCH Health System will offer a community trunk-or-treat from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 28 at in the laundry lot at DCH Regional Medical Center, 809 University Blvd. E. and in the lot beside the Women's Pavilion at Northport Medical Center, 2700 Hospital Drive. Families are invited to bring a bag to collect treats.

The  annual showing of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" will be presented by the Pink Box Burlesque. The 1975 musical-comedy/horror film will begin at 8 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m., the costume contest at 8, and the movie begins at 8:30 Tickets cost $22 for general admission and $28 for general admission with a prop bag, plus fees. The event is for those 21 years old and older. For more, see www.pinkboxburlesque.com.

Oct. 30

Thousands of pieces of candy will be distributed to children during the Alabama Panhellenic Association’s Trick or Treat on Sorority Row from at 6-8 p.m. Oct. 30 on the University of Alabama campus. Activities for kids will be available on the lawns of the sorority houses on Magnolia Drive, Colonial Drive, and Judy Bonner Drive. The event is open to children ages 12 and younger who must be accompanied by an adult. Masks and fake or realistic-looking weapons are discouraged.

Oct. 31

A free Halloween carnival sponsored by the Tuscaloosa Police Department is set for 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31 in the parking lot of University Mall.  1701 McFarland Blvd. E. Kids are invited to trick-or-treat with TPD and the carnival will include candy, games and food trucks.

Reach Ken Roberts at ken.roberts@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Happy haunting: Halloween kicks into high gear Tuscaloosa