Halloween: Pumpkins, Prestidigitation, Running, and Railroads

Make It Sweet at 10,200 Feet!

With sunny skies in the forecast for most of the coming weekend, the Halloween season is underway with kick-off events including everything from pumpkins to prestidigitation, from railroads to running. Forecasters are calling for clearing skies and sunshine on Friday and Saturday however temperatures will remain cool, in the mid-40s. For racers participating in the Haunted Hills on Sunday, there is a good chance of snow, so plan accordingly.

Pumpkin Patch on Saturday

This weekend, the Halloween fun kicks off with the Annual Leadville Pumpkin Patch, designed with the younger trick-or-treaters in mind.  A local tradition for generations, this festive event is geared towards the younger kids, with a costume contest, age-appropriate games, face-painting, prizes and treats. The event will be held this Saturday, Oct. 26 at Freight on E. 9th Street. Join the fun from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Drive South To Be Spellbound

If you like magic, then the drive south to Bunea Vista on Saturday night, Oct. 26 will be worth the trip. It’s a FREE Magic and Mystery Show at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort. The show starts at 8 p.m. Guests will witness and participate in a spellbinding show filled with illusion, eerie impossibilities and mind reading with a comedy twist. This is an intimate, interactive theater of psychological illusion, influence, and comedy, presented by Mark Weidhaas.

There will be dinner service available from 5 – 7:30 p.m. in the dining room during which time the magician will be milling about and doing some tableside tricks. Reservations are recommended at (719) 395-2447. Then at 8 p.m. guests are invited to attend the Magic and Mystery Show in the meeting room at the rear of the dining room.

This accomplished prestidigitator has been entertaining audiences around the world for over 30 years. Like Houdini who performed at Leadville’s famed opera house, Weidhaas was the National President of the Society of American Magicians, the oldest and most prestigious magic organization in the world. If you have a fan of magic in your clan, this will be a unique opportunity, and perfect for the Halloween season!

Haunted Hills Races on Sunday

Among the Halloween happenings this weekend are the Haunted Hills Races taking place at the Leadville Colorado Mountain College (CMC) campus on Sunday, Oct. 27. This year, college races, a mountain bike race and the infamous haunted house trail run all have new courses. A 6.66K – yes, you read that right – features campus trails and single-track trails, and plenty of terrifying ghouls and goblins in the woods. There’ll be a one-mile kid-friendly race plus plenty of candy and awesome prizes, and the best costume gets a brand new “treat” from Melanzana.

The Haunted Hills Races will be on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 2 to 5 p.m. at CMC Leadville, 901 S. Highway 24. Students race for $10, non-students race for $20 and all proceeds benefit the CMC cross-country team. For more information and to register, go to colomtn.me/HauntedHills2019. Contact Darren Brungardt at 719-486-4296 or dbrungardt@coloradomtn.edu for details.

The Haunted Hills Race Series is October 27 up at the college trails and benefits the CMC Leadville Running Club.

All Aboard: The Halloween Express

If you’ve been wondering why the train whistle has been blowing a bit longer into the season than usual, then consider a ride on the one-of-a-kind Halloween Express! Join the tour beginning at the historic train depot on E. 7th Street as the Leadville, Colorado and Southern Railroad closes out the 2019 season with its final Halloween Express train rides, boarding this Saturday & Sunday at 10 a.m. This special Track or Treat 2.5-hour ride takes passengers up, up, up to the Headwaters of the Arkansas River Valley. Enjoy this spooky, kid-friendly trip taking in nature’s sights and sounds while enjoying some tasty seasonal treats. Ticket holders are encouraged to come in costume. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket price.

The Leadville, Colorado and Southern Railroad in its winter whites. Photo: LCSR.

Or for the more adult set, take the train’s final two afternoon rides of the season with a special Oktoberfest scenic train ride. Come, raise a glass with the Leadville Railroad and take in the beautiful mountain views as you sip some cider – or an ale – on the rails! The final Oktoberfest railroad rides of the 2019 season will be boarding at 2 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday. For more details connect online at www.leadvillerailroad.com -or- call 1-866-386-3936. Also, if your holiday shopping is already underway, be sure to check out their gift shop for some great Leadville-themed items and apparel.

Coming Up Next Week

There’s more spooky fun planned for the upcoming week, including the big day on Thursday, Oct. 31. Here’s the Leadville Today Halloween report. At least it is what LT knows so far. If you have something to add email to info@leadvilletoday.com or connect on one of LT’s social platforms.

Leadville’s Trick or Treat Street will be happening on Thursday, Oct. 31 – Halloween.  Held annually on the first two hundred blocks of W. 7th Street, this family-friendly event offers a safe, traffic-free place for kids to get their treats door-to-door. Costumes abound and most of the neighbors decorate their houses, getting into the spirit. However, candy supplies can get costly, so donations are always necessary to make it a success. You can drop yours off at Leadville City Hall or the newspaper office – thank you!

Remember, this year there will be NO haunted mansion. After 20 years, The Stapletons put the fright-filled house tour to rest last year – at least for now! But you’ll still see them handing out some goodies on W. 7th Street. To fill in that gap a “Spooky Zaitz Park” is in the works for Halloween night at Leadville’s downtown city park located on the east side of Harrison between 6th and 7th Streets. Details are forthcoming according to city officials.

That’s a wrap, for now. If you have something going on for Halloween, drop a note to info@leadvilletoday.com.

Trick Or Treat Street From 2015