As the leaves change colors and the trees become a little less full, it is clear that fall is on its way to Marengo County. With the changing of the season, the area will play host to many different fall-themed festivals.
The first of those festivals will occur Oct. 15 when Jim Phillips presents the Antebellum Alabama Treasure and Ghost Tales at the Demopolis Public Library at 6:30 p.m.
Phillips will tell stories and accounts of apparitions, objects moving and lost treasure tales as they relate to the antebellum homes of Alabama. Also, Phillips will appraise old coins, paper money and bibles.
Jim is the brother of Dr. Doug Phillips, who can be seen on “Discovering Alabama” on Alabama Public Television.
On Saturday, Oct. 17, Gaineswood National Historic Landmark will host a Harvest Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day will feature tours of the historic home, including the “haunted” basement. The grounds will be host to a variety of old-fashioned games such as horseshoes, marbles, jump rope and tug-of-war.
Prices for the event-filled day will be $5 for adults, which include anyone over the age of 18, and $2 for children under 18.
Also on Oct. 17, Delta Tau Delta (DTD), a local high school sorority, will be hosting the “Pumpkin-Palooza” Oct. 17 at the George Franks Field at the Demopolis City Landing. The event consists of two fundraising events that will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Birmingham.
The first event, the Pumpkin Patch, will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be games, craft vendors, pumpkin patch and concessions. Tickets for carnival games and pumpkin patch will be sold inside the gate and will be $1 each.
Then starting at 6 p.m., DTD will host the Haunted Music Fest, which will have live music, concessions and a Haunted Maze “Nightmare.” Admission will be charged at the gate to enter. Prices are $4 for ages 3-9 and $8 for ages 10 and up. Children, who enter the maze at the must be accompanied by parents or guardian or an approved adult.
On the last weekend before Halloween, the Marengo County Historical Society and the Canebrake Players will team up to host the Tombigbee Haints & Haunts Itombi Ikbi: A Coffin Maker’s Tale in Linden on Oct. 23-24. The event will honor 125 years after the death of the infamous train-robber Rube Burrows. For tickets to the event and for more information, contact the Canebrake Craft Corner at Bluff Hall at 334-289-9644.