Plans are now finalized for Shepherdstown’s first Halloween “Boo!Fest,” which will begin with a Vampire Ball this Friday and conclude with traditional trick-or-treating on Halloween evening, Oct. 31.

In between, there will be a wide variety of activities that everybody can enjoy, with a special emphasis on activities for children and families. Most activities will be free and everyone will be welcome.

For the full schedule, go to the Shepherdstown Visitor’s Center website at www.shepherdstownvisitorscenter.com.

In addition to the scheduled activities, many of the town’s restaurants will offer Halloween-themed menus and beverages throughout the period. Patrons should check with their favorite restaurants for details.

Schedule highlights include the following:

The Shepherdstown Community Club’s First Annual Vampire Ball this Friday evening, (Oct. 25). Proceeds will benefit club programs.

A morning Zombie Run at the Shepherd University Wellness Center on Saturday, Oct. 26. This will be a Relay for Life event, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society.

Saturday afternoon Zombie make-up demonstrations by nationally known makeup artist R. J. Haddy. A native of Charleston, WV, Haddy was a finalist and fan favorite on Season 2 of the Syfy cable TV channel’s reality game show, Face Off, and returned this year as a veteran contestant on Season 5. His Boo!Fest participation is co-sponsored by Shepherd University’s Department of Theater; the Shepherdstown Visitors Center; the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center; the Contemporary American Theater Festival; and Younis Orthodontics.

A Saturday evening Zombie Street Dance in front of the town hall, with a bonfire.

Also on Saturday evening, a Tilted Torch Spook-a-rama Variety Show at the Opera House and a showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Reynolds Hall.

A Halloween Costume Contest and Fashion Show on Sunday (Oct. 27).

Both days of the Oct. 26-27 weekend, there will be a Haunted House at the Community Club building, walking ghost tours of the town and special historical tours of some town churches and graveyards.

In addition, there will be Halloween story-telling and craft sessions for children, a Creepy Cocktail Crawl for adults, and Halloween-themed menus at local restaurants.

On the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights just before Halloween, there will be performances and readings of classic horror stories at local restaurants followed by special evening programs. These evening programs will include showings of classic horror movies at the Opera House on Monday and Wednesday night, and a Tuesday night presentation about “Appalachian Haints and Hauntings” by storyteller Lyn Ford at the Byrd Center for Legislative Studies.

Also on Wednesday night, Shepherd University’s Student Center will host a kid-friendly Spooktacular All-You-Can-Eat Dinner for the whole community and Halloween games and events for children ages 14 and under.

On Halloween evening, in addition to traditional trick-or-treating, the Haunted House will be open at the Community Club.

The Boo!Fest is being sponsored by the Shepherdstown Visitors Center, the Shepherdstown Business Association, the Station at Shepherdstown, the Jefferson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greentree Realty, and the Thomas Shepherd Inn.

For more information, contact the Center’s Director, Jan Hafer, at 304-876-2786 or info@shepherdstownvisitorscenter.com.