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Longmont out and about: Dickens Opera House host all-day Halloween festival

Local events and happenings.
Dickens Opera House 2021 (2 of 2)
Photo of Dickens Opera House by Matt Maenpaa.

Dickens Horror Film Festival

From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, October 16, Dickens Opera House in Longmont will host the 6th annual Dickens Horror Film Festival. All day during the event there will be screenings of films, guest speakers and workshops that illustrate the behind-the-scenes processes such as costume and makeup design “that effectively suspends our disbelief.” There will also be a costume contest for attendees that dress up the spookiest!

Tickets to attend the full event are $50 per person or $12 per person to attend one block of the festival. Children under 12, accompanied by a paying guardian, are free to attend. 

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., block one of the festival will feature “psychological” films such as Prudence, In the Woods Somewhere and Household Demons, among others. Block two from 2 to 4 p.m. will feature “thrillers and chills” films including, but not limited to, Expulse, Larva and Bloodshed. From 6 to 8 p.m., block three will mark the beginning of “supernatural” films such as Sibilum, On the Road Again and Creature. During the fourth and final block from 9 to 11 p.m., “dark films” including Payback, The Snoop and Wich will play. Between each block of the festival while guest speakers have the stage, event attendees are encouraged to grab food and drinks from Dickens 300 Prime. 

“This festival will scare the Dickens out of you!”

October 14

Making the Connection: On Agriculture, the Water Cycle & Our Changing Climate | Thursday Nights @ the Museum

From 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. on Thursday in Stewart Auditorium at the Longmont Museum, there will be a conversation touching on topics of agriculture, the water cycle and our changing climate. The conversation will feature Dr. Adriana Bailey from the Earth Observing Laboratory and NCAR’s Research Aviation Facility, as well as Dr. Danica Lombardozzi from NCAR’s Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory. Attendance for the event is free but making a reservation is recommended. 

The Earth system is interconnected, and the water cycle is one important connection that scientists study. A changing climate can affect precipitation patterns which in turn can impact agriculture and society. But did you know that how we manage our land also has dramatic impacts on our climate system? In this Explorer Series conversation, discover the connections between plants, the water cycle and our changing climate, and opportunities to get involved.

Youth Program — Out Boulder County

On Thursday, Out Boulder County’s Youth Program will host a Queer and Trans Youth Group for individuals between ages 12 and 18 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The group will also host a screening of the movie Nightmare Before Christmas at St. Vrain Community Hub on Thursday evening. Check out their website for more information. 

The History & Mystery of the Richards-Hart Estate

Back by popular demand! The Kindred Spirit Society International explored this iconic mansion last year and came away with some amazing insights and evidence. Don't miss out on this year's investigation! We will also be having a seance at the end of the evening to see who we can connect with that once walked the rooms of this amazing location. Join psychic medium Dori Spence and the Kindred Spirits Explorative Team as we look into the history and mystery of this lovely mansion, now being used as a wedding and events center but was once one of the richest homes in Denver. Come experience the life stories of the family who built this grand estate as we open up the lines of communication with those who have long since passed - or not? Tickets for the event are $40 per person or $30 for Kindred Spirit Society Members. 

October 15

Bourbon Barrel #1 Release | Downtown Longmont, CO

The Longmont 150th celebration continues at Abbott & Wallace Distilling with the release of our first ever Bourbon Barrel on Friday from 4 to 10 p.m. Only 60 bottles of the 4-year-old Single Barrel Bottled in Bond will be available for $100 each. Also at the event, there will be live music by Brayden Peterson and La Rue Bayou’s food truck. 

Writer's Workshop at the Firehouse Art Center | Downtown Longmont, CO

From 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the Firehouse Art Center there will be an in-person writer’s workshop. Join the Firehouse Art Center Writers for a helpful, all levels, writers workshop. The event may include read throughs, prompts, sharing and more. There will be a facilitator. This event is free to attend but the Firehouse Art Center, as a 501c3 non-profit organization, always appreciates donations. 

October 16

Longmont Food Rescue's Annual Food Truck Cup 

This Saturday, Longmont Food Rescue will host its 3rd annual Food Truck festival and fundraising event as part of this year’s Longmont Restaurant Week. Presented by The J.M. Smucker Company, Food Truck Cup 2021 will feature a showcase of local food trucks, beverage establishments and live music by Blackjack Gravy and Shadow Side. The event will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. in the east parking lot of 350 Jerry St. just outside St. Vrain Cidery. Learn more about this event here

Cars that Care BUILD CLINIC | Downtown Longmont, CO

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, volunteers for non-profit organization Community Cares will be available to assist youth "racers" build their model Pinewood Derby Car that they will race in honor of their assigned sponsor at the Care Pine Car Derby. Design, cut, shape, paint, decorate, add wheels and accessories to your model race car at any of the build clinics. The next build clinic will be held on Saturday, October 23. Volunteers will be located in the alleyway of 300 east parking lot at the east entrance of the Old Town Marketplace. Water and snacks will be available. 

Mollie McGee's Fall Craft Market

Mollie McGee’s Craft Markets feature only the highest quality handcrafted items as well as a selection of unique items not found in most malls. We are proud to be Colorado's finest (and friendliest) juried craft show. There are two, 2-day shows held at Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont, Colorado this year starting with October 16 and 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Our Fall and Holiday Markets boast over 160 booths at each show. 

October 17

Legally Blonde Musical at Jesters Dinner Theatre

A fabulously fun international award-winning musical based on the adored movie! Legally Blonde The Musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery, and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. This action-packed musical explodes on the stage with memorable songs and dynamic dances. Equal parts hilarious and heart- warming, this musical is so much fun it should be illegal!  Get your tickets for the show on Jesters Dinner Theatre’s website

October 20 

Time to Grow Business, Networking Group - Oct 20, 2021 - Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce

Time to Grow Business is a Networking Group of the Longmont Chamber and is formatted as a Business Connection Group. On Wednesday, October 20, the group will meet from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Time's Collaborative at 338 Main St. Time to Grow Business is a group working to support and develop its members by connecting on opportunities to grow their businesses while supporting and learning about one another businesses. Group meets twice monthly, on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, for leads exchange, business advice, and network expansion. Networking Groups are a great way to deeply connect with other local business leaders and share leads and ideas. One representative from each industry may attend a Networking Group