'Halloween Hikes' in Roswell Begin Tomorrow

Take a walk on the wild side and meet some wonderful costumed woodland creatures at night during the annual Halloween Hikes, starting this weekend.

Experience the mystery of a short half mile guided night hike through the lighted woodland trails where you’ll meet friendly costumed forest creatures who will delight you with their dramatic antics.

Parents love this annual event, begun by the Beckler family during the mid-80's. This year, Kristi Beckler will dress as Mother Nature herself for a special appearance as one of the characters. Beckler, who just last weekend welcomed another grandson into the family, says she does this for her own grandkids and everyone else’s too. 

“That first year we received $1,000 from to fund the event,” Beckler said. “My husband, Paul, had gone to the Home Depot stockholders meeting and actually got a chance to speak to Arthur Blank directly. Arthur thought it was a great idea and he asked Paul to speak to his administrative assistant the following day. At that time, Arthur’s first wife, Diana, was volunteering at the Chattahoochee Nature Center.” 

Over 500 attendees came out to hike that first year. And Halloween Hikes has even been copied by other nature centers across the country.

MySandySpringsTV.com recently produced a special video on the hikes, which can be found online.

Halloween Hikes has become a favorite tradition as it expands in popularity every year, because it fulfills a need in the community. Some parent even experienced Halloween Hikes as children and now bring their own families out to continue the tradition. This wholesome event provides a non-scary alternative Halloween festival that parents can trust to not scare their children or expose them to frightening monsters, gory or violent creatures that are so common to this annual holiday. 

Instead, some of the characters you’ll meet this year include the Red Winged Blackbird; River Otter; Bullfrog; Box Turtle; Beaver; Opossum; Squirrel; Large Mouth Bass; Grey Fox; Venus Fly Trap; Black Widow Spider; Mother Earth; Skunk and Ladybug as roaming characters. Kids will enjoy making crafts like the paper chain snakes and pipe cleaner spiders or pine cone owls presented by Girl Scout Troop 25313 from Roswell. They are encouraged to wear costumes and have photos made with the roaming characters. Enjoy hot chocolate or sip apple cider while relaxing by the campfire. Live animal presentations will accent the experience of nature at night. 

The special event takes place on Fridays and Saturdays, October 21, 22, 28 and 29 from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Tickets are $8 for all ages, children two and under are free. Tickets go on sale at 6:30 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. for timed hikes that begin at 7 p.m. and run throughout the evening.  

For more information, call the Nature Center at 770-992-2055 ext 236 or send an e-mail.

Beckler’s original rap as Mother Nature explains her character so well.

“Now I’m Mother Nature,

At your journey’s end

I hope you had fun

With each of my friends

You’ve seen all my wonders

Some big and some small

The beaver, the flytrap

The turtle and all

We all live together

And respectfully so

This space we must share

As we move to and fro

My job is a big one

There’s so much to do

I need many helpers

And of course that means you

So I’ll give you a leaf

To remind you of me

And the things that you heard

As you hiked to this tree

Well, if you learn more

As good stewards of earth

You’ll make nature richer

And add to the worth

Of all that surrounds you

In the air and below

You’ll always be part

Of our planet’s show”