‘Lextoberfest’
An annual event to benefit brain cancer research returns.
“Lextoberfest” is set for Saturday, Oct. 15, from 3 to 7p.m. at Twentieth Ward Social Club, 2028 Pittston Ave., Scranton.
The event was started in honor of Alexis “Lexi” Caviston-Ashmar, who died in 2020 of glioblastoma, to help raise money to fund research on the aggressive brain cancer. It features a pulled pork dinner available for dine-in or to take-out. There also will be basket raffles for guests to enter to win and T-shirts available for purchase.
Tickets cost $12 for adults and $8 for kids and can be purchased in advance or at the door. For advanced tickets, Venmo @lexistrong570 and add the number of tickets needed in the comment section.
NEPA Horror Fest
Horror lovers, get ready for terror on the screen and some spooky misses.
The Miss Spooky Scranton Ceremony will announce its winners of the NEPA Horror Fest photo contest during a party and ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 7p.m. at the V-spot Bar, 906 Providence Road, Scranton.
At the ceremony, winners will be announced month by month for the Horror Fest’s 2023 calendar, leading up to the crowning of Miss Spooky Scranton and the featured October photo. Little Plastic Raleigh will spin punk tracks through the night.
There is a $5 cover, though contest participants get in free.
Then, on Saturday, Oct. 15, “NEPA Horror Fest: 13 Short Films VIII” takes place from noon to midnight, at Circle Drive-In, 1911 Scranton-Carbondale Highway, Dickson City.
Originally starting in 2015 at the River Street Jazz Cafe, Wilkes-Barre, the festival is now in its eighth year. It features 13 films, each running 15 minutes long or less, as well as dozens of art vendors, live music and more.
Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased on eventbrite.com. For more information, visit NEPA Horror Fest on Facebook.
Griffin Pond’s Barktoberfest
This day’s going to the dogs.
Griffin Pond Animal Shelter presents its Inaugural Barktoberfest on Sunday, Oct. 16, from noon to 4p.m. at Maiolatesi Wine Cellars, 32 Cabernet Drive, Scott Twp.
The event features wine, vendors, raffles, food trucks and performances by Melissa “Lissa” Krahnke, Bryan Banks, Tori V and Jo Santos.
Leashed dogs are welcome and there will be prizes awarded for the best dog and best child costumes.
Tickets cost $25 and include a souvenir wine glass and two glasses of wine. Designated drivers cost $10. Tickets can be purchased at griffinpondanimalshelter.com.
Bonfire Fall Festival
Burn, baby, burn.
A fundraiser for Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces, the Bonfire Fall Festival takes place Saturday, Oct. 15, from 6 to 10p.m. at Scranton Iron Furnaces, 159 Cedar Ave.
Performances include D-West, Lynnette’s Twirlerettes and Jurassic Raptor 570.
General admission tickets cost $20. Guests also can upgrade their tickets for $60 and gain access to the upper level of the event into a heated tent area that includes beverages. The VIP area is for ages 21 and older.
The event is free for children 12 and younger. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.
‘I Love the 80s to Death’: Murder Mystery Dinner
It’s a totally awesome whodunnit.
Montage Mountain Resorts presents “I love the ’80s to Death”: Murder mystery dinner Saturday, Oct. 15, at 6p.m., 1000 Montage Mountain Road, Scranton.
Participants can enjoy dinner and drinks alongside the interactive mystery event. There will be a cash bar and guests are encouraged to wear their best ’80s outfits. The person with the best outfit will win tickets to the Halloween costume contest at the resort on Saturday, Oct. 29.
Tickets cost $75 per person and and must be purchased together to guarantee group seating.
For more information, visit montagemountainresorts.com. Any special accommodations or food allergies can be emailed to abbeym@montage mountainresorts.com.
Laura Rysz is the features copy editor and calendar editor at The Times-Tribune and runs the Talk of the Times column, which focuses on local fundraisers and other events. She also writes Chef’s Table that profiles restaurants around the region. Additionally, Laura curates events online on AccessNEPA.com. Laura is involved in the special Mother’s Day edition and curates occasional features Marry Memories and Times Travelers. She is a graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School, New Jersey, and earned an English professional writing degree with a minor in mass communications from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. She also earned a certificate in Social Media Marketing from Rutgers Business School. Contact: lrysz@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5228.