Five Things: Boo at the Zoo, Italian Festival, Pumpkin Run, More

Boo at the Zoo

Where: Riverbanks Zoo, 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday through Oct. 30
Cost: $6 Riverbanks Zoo members; $8 general public (To guarantee entry, purchase tickets in advance.)
Info: Open to ages 3 and up, members and general public. The event features a trick-or-treat trail, Moonlight Magic, costume parade, a marshmallow roast (requires an additional charge), a mysterious maze, dance party, climbing wall, a haunted carousel (extra $2), spooky railroad (extra $2) and foam zone.

4th Annual Italian Festival & Bocce Tournament

Where:  Downtown Columbia, Main Street
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free, open to the public
Info: The Sons of Italy Bella Italia Lodge 2808 is sponsoring this passport to Italy. The festival features a variety of Italian food items, music, grape stomping, games, street dances and more. Visit the festival's web site for more information.

Columbia's 17th Annual Blues Festival

Where: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 2300 Greene Street, Columbia
When:  Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free; food and beverage vendors will be available
Info: Want to hear some blues? Head down to the 5 Points area to listen to some tunes from The Mobros, Wanda Johnson and The Upstate Rhythm Section, Harper and more. Call 803-733-8452 for more information or visit Blues Festival web site.

Pumpkin Run

Where: Northwest YMCA, 1501 Kennerly Road, Irmo
When: 8 a.m. (Kid run) and 8:30 a.m. (5K Run/Walk) Saturday
Cost: $35 day of event
Info: The Pumpkin Run is benefiting the Northwest YMCA's Partners with Youth campaign. There will be a 12 and under run as well as a 5K run/walk. This year's event is being held in memory of Michael "Sully" Sullivan. For more information, call 803-407-8007 or visit the YMCA's web site.

Family Connection's Buddy Walk

Where:  Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Road, Columbia
When: Registration begins at 1 p.m., walk begins at 2 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Free
Info: Family Connection's Buddy Walk is open to everyone. The walk, which was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society, is held to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome. The walk is less than one mile and the event will feature pony rides, bounce houses, games and much more. For more information, visit Family Connection's Facebook page or web site.

Bonus Events

Lexington Oktoberfest and Rocktoberfest

Where:  Back parking lot of the old Lexington County Courthouse

When: Parade from 11 a.m. to noon on Main Street; Oktoberfest starts at noon until 10 p.m.; Rocktoberfest begins at 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free, but you will have to purchase tickets for food and beverages at ticket tents. Each ticket is $2.
Info: Lexington's Oktoberfest is an all-day event, starting with a parade at 11 a.m. By noon, head over to the "German Village" to find German food, arts and crafts, games, face painting and more. Then at 5:30 p.m., Rocktoberfest, which is sponsored by Main Street Cafe in Lexington, will begin. Live music from bands Going Commando and Brian Connor & Friends will perform.

Group Therapy's Chili Cookoff

Where: 2107 Greene Street, 5 Points
When: Set up begins at 9 a.m. Saturday; Cooking starts at 10:30 a.m.
Cost: Admission is free
Info: Group Therapy is holding its annual charity Chili Cookoff in 5 Points. If you like chili and want to help raise money for Camp Kemo and the Disabilities Board of Charleston County, grab your friends and head down to enjoy food and live music. For more information, visit Group Therapy's web site.