Friends of the Wissahickon and Partners Host Week-long Halloween Activities
It’s Hallowissahickon in the Wissahickon Valley Park
PHILADELPHIA – Oct. 18, 2021 – Join Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) and partners for a week of “Hallowissahickon” activities and events in the park. Take part in Trick-Or-Trash stewardship to “boo-tify” the Wissahickon, learn about creatures of the night and hidden history on the trails, and maybe even run into the Hermit of the Wissahickon on a fun, spooky hike.
Bat Night with Kris Soffa & the Academy of Natural Sciences
Monday, October 25, 5 – 7 p.m.
Why do bats matter and how can we support the habitat they depend upon? Join FOW, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the Wissahickon Environmental Center team for some batty fun to celebrate Bat Week and the role of bats in nature. This is your chance to learn more about these fascinating nocturnal creatures. Be prepared to walk quietly on woodland trails in the dark and bring a flashlight. Experience with bat monitoring is not required. Children 12+ with a responsible adult are welcome. No pets, please.
Register: https://fow.org/event/bat-
Halloween Hike to the Lost Cave of the Wissahickon
Wednesday, October 27, 6 – 8 p.m.
Join the “Wild Woman of the Wissahickon” on this twilight adventure to The Lost Cave of America’s first doomsday cult, at the “edge of the known world.” As Halloween approaches, spirits cut loose and roam through the woods. Is it the end of the world? Will the Wizard Kelpius return to his cave to fulfill his prophecy? Costumes are highly suggested. Come prepared to walk over uneven terrain in the failing light. Suitable for children 12+ with a responsible adult are welcome. No pets, please.
Register: https://fow.org/event/
Trick-or-Trash Cleanup
Saturday, October 30, 9 a.m. – Noon
This Halloween, all of the witches, ghosts and goblins are coming together to take care of Wissahickon Valley Park! Join us on Saturday Morning to boo-tify the Wissahickon and make a positive impact in the park. Costumes are highly recommended and prizes will be awarded for the best kids and adults costumes.
Sign up for a cleanup site at https://fow.org/trick-or-
Guided Hike in the Wissahickon: Toleration Statue
Saturday, October 30, 8 – 11 a.m.
Head down to Historic Rittenhouse Town for a guided hike to the Toleration Statue in the Wissahickon with Brad Maule! Brad’s archival research recently identified the statue as William Penn, and he’s got lots more Wissahickon history to share along the way.
Get tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Halloween with the Horses
Saturday, October 30, 4 – 5 p.m.
Trick or treat at Northwestern Stables, where horses will be dressed in costume and others are encouraged too! Reservation times for this family-friendly event for children of all ages will start at 4 pm. Fully wrapped and pre-bagged candy will be handed out at the end of the walk. Mini riding lessons on a lead line can be ordered for an additional fee.
Get tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Spooky Wissahickon Walking Tour
Abandoned buildings, sinister stories, a Roman sarcophagus, and even a 17th-century doomsday cult – the Wissahickon is full of frightful fun in the Halloween season! Take a self-guided audio tour of the park’s spookiest sites on the FOW Map App whenever you’re next in the park (best experienced a little before dusk while the shadows lengthen.)
Download the FOW Map app to get started: https://fow.org/mapapp/