It’s Halloween Season in the Wissahickon…

Events // October 21, 2021

It’s Halloween season in the Wissahickon, and there’s a whole week of events from FOW and our partners in the park for you to enjoy. Join us for some spooky stewardship at Trick-Or-Trash to boo-tify the Wissahickon, learn about creatures of the night and some hidden history on the trails, and maybe even run into the Hermit of the Wissahickon on a fun and frightful Halloween hike! Check out the events below.

Bat Night with Kris Soffa & the Academy of Natural Sciences

Monday, October 25, 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM

Why do bats matter and how can we support the habitat they depend upon? Join us for some batty fun to celebrate Bat Week and the role of bats in nature!  This is your chance to learn more about these fascinating nocturnal creatures.  Be prepared to walk quietly on woodland trails in the dark and bring a flashlight. Experience with bat monitoring is not required. Children 12+ with responsible adult welcome. No pets, please.

Register: https://fow.org/event/bat-night-2021/

Halloween Hike to the Lost Cave of the Wissahickon

Wednesday, October 27, 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM

Join the Wild Women of the Wissahickon on this Twilight adventure to “The Lost Cave” of America’s first doomsday cult, at the edge of the known world. As Halloween approaches, the veil thins, spirits cut loose and roam through the woods. Is it the End of The World? Will the Wizard Kelpius return to his cave to fulfill his prophecy? 

Costumes, which will serve as disguises to confuse the nefarious ghouls, are highly suggested. Come prepared to walk over uneven terrain in the failing light of the gloaming. Bring a camera to see if you can catch the likenesses of any apparitions on film! Suitable for children over 12 years old with a responsible adult. No pets please.

Register: https://fow.org/event/halloween-hike-to-the-lost-cave-of-the-wissahickon/

Trick-or-Trash Cleanup

Saturday, October 30, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

This Halloween, all of the witches, ghosts and goblins are coming together to take care of Wissahickon Valley Park! Join us on Saturday Morning to boo-tify the Wissahickon and make a positive impact in the park. Costumes are highly recommended and prizes will be awarded for the best kids and adults costumes. 

Sign up for a cleanup site at https://fow.org/trick-or-trash-2021/.

Guided Hike in the Wissahickon: Toleration Statue

Saturday, October 30th, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

On this three-mile hike, we’ll take the rugged trail to a tall stone Quaker and ask him if he’s the famous Billy Penn.  The route back to RittenhouseTown will traverse Forbidden Drive, cross a creek, pass a beach, go under a bridge, over another, and make a connection to the ancient Rome – all during peak Wissahickon fall foliage.

Get tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-hike-in-the-wissahickon-toleration-statue-tickets-173841152567

Halloween with the Horses

Saturday, October 30, 4:00 – 5:00 PM

On October 30th come to Northwestern Stables to trick or treat with the horses! Our horses will be dressed in costume along our spooky path for this outdoor event. We fully encourage you to be in costume too! This is a family event and is appropriate for children of all ages.

Reservation times will start at 4 pm. Fully wrapped and pre bagged candy will be handed out at the end of the walk. Mini riding lessons on a lead line can be ordered for an additional fee.

Get tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-with-the-horses-tickets-170233740701

Spooky Wissahickon Walking Tour

Abandoned buildings, sinister stories, a Roman sarcophagus, and even a 17th-century doomsday cult – the Wissahickon is full of frightful fun in the Halloween season! Take a self-guided audio tour of the park’s spookiest sites on the FOW Map App whenever you’re next in the park (best experienced a little before dusk while the shadows lengthen.) 

Download the FOW Map app to get started: https://fow.org/mapapp/

RittenHOWL

Friday, November 19,  8:00pm – 11:00 pm

Join us under a bright moon for a spooky, spirited evening at the Historic RittenhouseTown on November 19th from 8pm to 11pm. Find secret speakeasies from Pops McCann and Revivalist Gin & Resurgent Whiskey. Sip on ciders from local cideries, festive cocktails from Fernet Branca and warm cider and mulled wine from Chaddsford Winery. Light fare will be prepared onsite in the traditional open fire hearth kitchen and Happy Hour Hospitality. Spend the evening listening to haunting ghost stories from a local storyteller and embark on a special flashlight tour of the historic landmark. Tracey Phoenix will be doing individual Tarot Card readings for anyone who dares to look into their past, present or future.

Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rittenhowl-a-spooky-spirited-evening-at-historic-rittenhousetown-tickets-192315369447