Celebrating Halloween in Excelsior Springs

There are many ways that we can celebrate Halloween safely this year during the pandemic! From local citizens efforts to local organizations and businesses hosting events, there’s a variety of ways to celebrate that can be considered. Here’s a list of what I have seen so far. Events may be added as they are announced!

1. Annual Bill Payne Party by the VFW – CANCELLED2. Citizen Led – ES Treat Tossin’ Halloween

Socially distant treat tossin’ event for Halloween in Excelsior Springs! Kids dress up and camp out in their driveway/yard. Treat tossers load up some treats/candy/goody bags and drive around town to toss treats to the kids! Click here for more information!

3. Downtown Trick or Treating

Boo! Witches & Warlocks and Pirates & Princesses

Come one, come all and enjoy trick or treating in Downtown Excelsior Springs with our amazing eateries, drinkeries, shops, boutiques and galleries!

This year’s event has been modified to ensure the safety of trick or treater friends and families, as well as the safety of downtown merchants! You’ll get all the same great treats, but with just one stop! Come by the Hall of Waters on Broadway and pick up your BIG TRICK OR TREAT GRAB BAG!

This tradition was begun by one of Excelsior Springs’ most beloved police chiefs, Bill Payne. He found a way to make Halloween safe and enjoyable for kids of all ages, keeping everyone busy so there was no time for “Tricks”! The tradition continues with pride today! Come join us on Halloween Night in Downtown Excelsior Springs!

Click here for more info!

4. Cars & Coffee Trunk or Treat at The Mug

Last get together for the year, and it’s HALLOWEEN! The Mug wants to host a Trunk or Treat for the kids, all outside distancing practices will be used. Bring your little ones in their costumes from 3-5pm, and then you can go on your regular evening outing for candy! They will have Games, prizes, display judging. If the weather is nice, bring the good stuff out! If it’s not, just bring whatever you drive. It’s about the kids and making things as normal as we can while keeping our distance. Extra points awarded for having the BEST display out of your trunk! They will be adding/modifying things as they go, so click here for updates!

5. Kids’ Day in the Workshop at Fishing River Market

Celebrate Halloween with their free event just for the kids! Bring your child into the Workshop on Halloween and they can decorate a treat bag for free. They understand that things are different this year for trick-or-treaters and want to provide a fun way to celebrate the holiday. Click here for more info!

6. Fam Fest at Pisgah Baptist Church

Join Pisgah Baptist Church for some family friendly games, and activities! Everything is outdoor this year, and they are taking steps to ensure the safety of your family. Click here for more info!

7. Virtual Pups and Pumpkins for ES Parks & Rec

They are happy to announce that their annual Pups and Pumpkins 5k is going VIRTUAL this year! Participants who register will receive a custom designed tshirt, finisher’s medal, custom sticker and a chance to win raffles from local businesses! Register online today and go at your own pace! Click here for more info!

8. Chamber Trolley Spirits & Spirits Trolley Tour

All-inclusive tickets are $99 per person and include heavy appetizers, dessert and 1 cocktail at each of the 5 stops. Any additional food/drink purchases are the responsibility of the guest. Reservations must be made in advance and paid in full. No walk-ups. Click here for more info!

9. Fall Fun Scavenger Hunt at Watkins Mill

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site is hosting a socially distanced scavenger hunt and a self-guided tour. This free and fun activity is designed for families and individuals to safely explore the historic site. The scavenger hunt will be open Saturday, Oct. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to practice social distancing and bring a clipboard and pencil. Check in at the visitor center to receive your Scavenger Card and instructions. Remember, you will be outside, so dress accordingly and bring water and snacks. These outdoor scavenger hunts can make you hungry! For more info, click here!

10. Lawson Picnic and Fall Festival

Join Lawson for this one-day community event featuring vendors, food, games, trunk or treat and more!

Tentative Schedule (subject to change based on volunteers):
8am – 10am: Fishing Derby at Lawson City Lake
10am – 5pm: Vendors, Games, Food in Lawson City Park
4pm – 7pm: Trunk or Treat sponsored by Southwest PTO
7pm: Costume Contest
7:30pm: Movie in the Park (family-friendly Halloween movie TBD)

More details coming soon! If you would like to volunteer or help out, please contact them through their Lawson Park Board page or the City of Lawson page. Click here for more info!

11. Monster Mash Up at the ES Community Center

Join the Community Center for their next group exercise sampler! They will celebrate Halloween with a variety of great exercise classes with a spooky twist! Click here for more info!

12. Fairy Tale Forest at Martha Lafite Nature Sanctuary

This non-scary Halloween event is sure to delight you and the entire family!

Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary (MLTNS) presents: The “Walk of 100 Jack-o-lanterns!

A walk through a quarter-mile trail with over 100 jack-o-lanterns carved by local residents, a visit with Swoop the Eurasian Eagle Owl from Wings of Love, and a treat bag to take home.

To allow for social distancing and meet MLTNS’s COVID-19 guidelines, there will be no characters on the trail and the Nature Center / restrooms will be closed. All activities will be outside.

Proceeds of this special event benefit the Nature Sanctuary and its education programming.

Pre-sale tickets available by clicking here!

To volunteer at the event:
Sign up to volunteer to carve pumpkins, help with the event, and/or make a donation of candy, pumpkins, Halloween toys, etc. Call MLTNS at 816-781-8598.

13. Belvoir Boo’s and Brews with the Chamber Trolley

Join the Chamber as thy board the trolley and head out for a spooktacular night of fun. Guests will take a 90 minute private ghost tour at Belvoir Winery to start. Guests will then head back to Excelsior Springs, where stops will be made at Dubious Claims Brewing Company for dinner and beer. Next, the trolley will make a stop at Y-Liquor for yet another amazing tasting. The last stop may be the most haunted of them all….The Atlas Saloon, please enjoy a hand crafted beer made by brew master Keith!
Please book by going to http://exspgschambermo.chambermaster.com/…/belvoir-boo… OR by calling The Chamber at 816-630-6161.

14. Lawson’s Chamber of Horrors Haunted House – The Shed

The Lawson Chamber of Commerce’s 5th Annual Chamber of Horrors event “The Shed” will take place on Fridays and Saturdays on the following dates from 7pm-10pm: Oct 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, and 30-31

Ticket cost:
Adults – $10.00
Kids – $5.00

The profits from the Chamber of Horrors go towards the Chamber of Commerce Scholarship fund, which awards several scholarships annually.

The Chamber of Horrors is a group made up of dedicated and theatrical volunteers who love Halloween. Our facility is donated by Morrow Lumber but there are expenses for insurance, utilities, materials and supplies. Click here for more info!

15. Excelsior Springs Baptist Church Trunk or Treat

Excelsior Springs Baptist church is also having a Halloween event. The church would like to invite you to a fall outreach event. They are having a drive thru trunk or treat on October 31st from 2pm-4pm. Click here for more info!

Other blogs you might enjoy:

Local News Headlines – Week of Sept 28th

Second Friday’s in Downtown Excelsior Springs

Thrive Excelsior: Bridging the Gap