Those of us lucky enough to live in East Idaho know how blessed we are to have some of the best local recreation in the country. It often seems as though the weather changes quickly, and we go from camping and roasting marshmallows one weekend to mittens and sledding the next. Though it may be brief, fall is officially upon us! For now, the leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and a fresh batch of pumpkin spice products have been delivered to a grocery store near you. Whether you enjoy cozy hayrides and hot apple cider or spooky haunted houses and jump scares, we at Hillcrest Townhomes have got you covered with a complete guide to the ultimate Halloween and Fall experience in Rexburg.
1. Oktuberfest
Kick off the start of the season by celebrating “all things potato” at Oktuberfest on Saturday, October 15th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This event is put on by the City of Rexburg Cultural Arts department and is a celebration of the industry and community of Rexburg. They will have live music, square dancing, a potato derby, crafts, games and a potato bar and dutch oven cobbler.
2. Treehouse Nursery’s Fall Fest
If you’re more of a pumpkin person than a potato person, the Fall Fest at Treehouse Nursery will be right up your alley! Pick out a pumpkin and enjoy some delicious food, fun hayrides, music, activities, and even take a trip through their fairytale forest any night between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday, or Saturday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
3. Hocus Pocus at Hemming Village
You may have already noticed the fun Halloween-themed decorations at Hemming Village; The fall displays make for some festive photo opportunities, and on October 28th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM they will be going all out with superhero-themed festivities! Captain Marvel, Spiderman, Aquaman, and more will all be stopping by for an interactive experience. They will have trick or treating, face painting, and various activities. The community will also be honoring our local heroes, first responders, and healthcare providers.
4. Trunk or Treat & Halloween Movie Night at Teton Vu Drive-In
What do Halloween and the movies have in common? Candy! No movie night is complete without your favorite candy to go along, and Halloween really wouldn’t be complete without watching a few spooky movies. Teton Vu Drive-In knows how to make your Halloween dreams come true and will be hosting a trunk-or-treat movie night on October 29th from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. They will have games, dinner, candy, and a Halloween movie starting at 6:50 PM.
5. The Rexburg Straw Maze & Haunted Forest
Whether you’re up for a good scare, or just want to get out and appreciate that crisp, fall-air, the Rexburg Straw Maze and Haunted Forest has something for everyone this fall. The scare-free straw maze is open Monday through Thursday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Fridays from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and Saturdays from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM through the month of October.
If you want to turn the scare-factor up a few notches, check them out on Fridays or Saturdays after 7:00 PM and the entire week leading up to Halloween, when the maze turns haunted and the ghosts and ghouls come out to play. Take your adventure one step further by taking a “supernatural stroll” through the Haunted Forest; Said to be “the scariest place in the Teton region,” the forest is open every Friday and Saturday night during the month of October starting at 7:00 PM.
6. The Haunted River in Menan
Just 20 miles southwest of Rexburg, legend has it that “Wanetaqua” or the “Soul Taker,” has been creeping in this particular stretch of the river for over 150 years. The Haunted River takes you on a journey to “find out what happened on the other side of the river.” Tours take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Halloween nights and during the month of October.
7. The Haunted Mill in Teton
Said to be the “largest attraction of its kind in East Idaho” the Haunted Mill is located 10 miles northeast of Rexburg and allows you to tour an authentic, historic, 4-story flour mill and mill grounds - including an original log granary, underground mine, suspension bridge, wooded area, and waterfall. Tours are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights and Halloween night during the month of October, starting at 7:30 PM.
8. “I Be A Witch” Film Screening
You may remember the one-woman show, “I Be A Witch”, performed last year at the Romance Theater by Lori Prescott Hansen, about her great-grandmother who was accused of being a witch during the Salem witch trials. That play was recently turned into a film, and there will be a free screening, followed by a discussion with the author and actress herself at 7:30 PM on Saturday, October 29th at Romance Theater.
9. Join the Fall Cornhole League
Once all the candy wrappers have settled and you’ve recovered from the sugar crash, consider joining an indoor cornhole league to burn off all that candy. The city of Rexburg will be hosting a league that will run from October 27th to November 17th, and have a tournament on December 8th. Games will be at The Zone on Thursday nights for four weeks, and official cornhole boards and bags will be provided.
10. “Saints on the Seas” Original Oratorio
This musical production, featuring the Rexburg Tabernacle Orchestra, is inspired by stories of the “Saints on the Seas” - those seeking Zion, as “before the trail, there was the sail,” the poster states. You’ll have two nights to catch this event, Thursday, November 3rd and Monday, November 7th at 7:00 PM.
If your fall bucket list includes finding affordable housing near BYI-Idaho, take a look at Hillcrest Townhouses. We are just steps away from campus and have BYI-I approved housing for both men and women. Contact us with any questions you may have today.