Downtown Lewisburg celebrates the fall harvest and Halloween from late September, all through October, and into early November with decorations, Taste of Our Towns, serious and silly photo ops, creative classes, special events for kids and pets, cemetery tours, a culinary contest, and a variety of shows. Chrysanthemums, crotons, pumpkins, hay bales, corn shocks, gourds, and ribbons will festoon the city’s east-west corridor. Your hosts have pulled out all the stops for Harvest Chills in the Hills.
“The shops and restaurants of downtown Lewisburg are thrilled to welcome locals and visitors this beautiful harvest season, and we have plenty for you to see, learn, and experience. Watch for the City’s new Giant Cornucopia in the green space, perfect for family photos,” said Jill McIntyre, LDBA President.
Carnegie Hall presents its annual Carnegie Hall-O-Ween series – a family-friendly celebration of seasonal traditions and community storytelling. Events kick off with the third annual All Things Pumpkin Recipe Contest on Oct. 11 during the Taste of Our Towns (TOOT) Festival. Other highlights include Hoot & Holler: WV Owls and More presented by Three Rivers Avian Center on Oct. 22, and Elsa Howell’s haunting performance of Ballads of Old Appalachia on Oct. 23 in the Old Stone Room.
The Greenbrier Historical Society returns with Candlelit Cemetery Tours on Oct. 16, 17, 24, and 25, offering a glimpse into local lore by lantern light. Oct. 25 features a full day of activities, including the Home and Hearth: Cobwebber Brooms workshop in the morning and Paper Pumpkins crafting in the evening. On Oct. 28, guests are invited to In the Dark of the Night, a free immersive evening of storytelling and seasonal surprises.
November brings a thoughtful end to the season with Preserving the Past, a headstone cleaning and maintenance workshop, followed by Carved in Stone, a presentation on the language of symbols in headstone art. These events take place on Nov. 8 and offer a meaningful way to honor and explore local history.
Carnegie Hall also continues its Appalachian Heritage Lecture Series with a special presentation on Nov. 21. Roderico Y. Diaz of Iximche Media will speak on Celebrating Hispanic Culture in Appalachia; a free event held in coordination with the “Our American Neighbors” exhibition. This lecture offers a powerful opportunity to reflect on the diverse cultural threads that shape our region.
Registration is now open for all classes and select events. To view the full schedule and reserve your spot, visit www.carnegiehallwv.org or call 304-645-7917.
The merchants of downtown Lewisburg will host a Business Trick-or-Treat on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. Costumed children receive treats from businesses throughout the city. After dinner, set up your lawn chairs for an outdoor movie on Washington Street (Hotel Transylvania), sponsored by the City of Lewisburg and the merchants of downtown Lewisburg. Cozy blankets are optional.
Trick-or-Treat for the City of Lewisburg is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. Residents are requested to turn on porch lights if participating. Motorists are advised to exercise caution and be alert for excited children, ghosts, and goblins!
On Saturday, Nov. 1, at 11 a.m., the Lewisburg Downtown Business Association and City of Lewisburg offer up the third annual Pet Costume Contest. Sidewalk parade begins and ends at the piano beside City Hall, where cash prizes will be awarded for first place ($50) and second place ($25). All domestic pets are welcome. At 2 p.m. on Nov. 1, enjoy a matinee showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas, with special appearances by Jack Skellington and Sally, presented by the Lewisburg Downtown Business Association, the City of Lewisburg, and the historic Lewis Theatre.
