Halloween Events

By Kat Hunter

Living in Austin, the options for Halloween are endless. Now that our son is two years old and understands enough about what October 31 entails that he’s been talking about it since October 1, I feel a bit of pressure to take advantage of all the events going on around town.

Theo loves being outside. His round belly belies his affinity for running down trails and riding his balance bike at top speed; he’s a ball of motion that prefers to stay in motion until it is at last, sometimes forcefully, placed under the covers by his two exhausted parents. Well, for the week of Halloween 2015 he’s going to have so much activity he’ll be ready for lights out, because Mommy has carefully curated a long list of energy-burning events for all three of us.

Oct 27, Dirt Derby 
Expect the usual Tuesday night Dirt Derby fun, but with costumes! Decorate yourself and your bike.
Dirt Derby’s Halloween Event Facebook page

Schedule:
6:15 Kid's Race
6:30 Beginner CX and MTB
7:00 Intermediate MTB
7:30 Tom Mahnke Realtor Intermediate CX
8:00 Austin Tri Cyclist Open Race


Oct 28, ATC Wednesday run + costume contest 

Last year’s costumed ATC run hosted such celebrities as Aqua Man, Cruella Devil, Snow White, and a Wizard-of-Oz triumvirate of scarecrow, Dorothy, and tornado. Expect to complete your choice of one of the usual Wednesday routes around Town Lake (roughly 2, 4, or 7 miles) at a more relaxed pace than usual, since there are capes, fins, hats, and such to contend with. The winner of the costume contest gets a free pair of On running shoes. The little ones will have their own short run and costume contest in Butler Park to kick things off, along with other active games, prizes, and treats. (Meet at the shop at 5:30 p.m. to be ready for the kids’ event.) The group leaves ATC at 6 p.m. and reconnects after the run at the shop for local beers and snacks.
ATC’s 2nd Annual Costume Contest and Fun Run Facebook page


Austin BikeFest, Oct 31
UPDATE: Event cancelled for bad weather, as of 10/29.

Photo by WOOM bikes

Last year’s Austin BikeFest was the first, highlighting the completion of the 7.3-mile Southern Walnut Creek Trail with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This year’s event remains on the route at the trail’s southernmost access point, Govalle Park, and features a host of bike-themed activities and exhibitions for all ages. Free and open to the public, BikeFest will be held from noon to 4 p.m.

Anna Kong, development director of BikeTexas, says the turnout is expected to be around 1,000 people this Halloween. She points out that there’s a little something for everyone: craft beers (Independence Brewing Co., Uncle Billy’s, Austin Eastciders), food (Wahoo’s, Cold Ones Pop), a bicycle fashion show by Ilonka Designs, demonstrations of bike polo (ATX Bike Polo Social Club, noon-2 p.m.) and unicycle football (Unicycle Football League from San Marcos, 2-4 p.m.), bike games like “slow race” and “foot down”, a costume contest, vendor tents, unicycle lessons provided by the Austin Unicycle School, and more.    

Among the highlights: The KidsKup obstacle course, which is designed for children on balance bikes. A number of balance bikes will be available for children to try out on the course. (Never heard of a bike without pedals, or an 18-month-old cyclist? Here’s a review of WOOM bikes on TexasBikeRacing.com.) An obstacle course geared more for older children and adults will include bike-thru haunted houses—but don’t worry, nothing will jump out at you and make you fall off your bike—and a bike bridge, bike teeter totter, and ramp made for novice cyclists.

If you don’t arrive by the Southern Walnut Creek trail, do check it out. The wide and very popular multi-use trail, designed for cyclists and pedestrians, winds through fields and trees and makes for a very pleasant family outing. (trail map)