EARLY HALLOWEEN

The Battleship North Carolina Memorial seeks to scare any brave souls Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19-20, when it becomes Ghost Ship. Haunting figures such as zombies and ghosts will greet guests as they venture into the darkness of the decks below. Tickets are $10 and are limited each night. This event is not recommended for young children. Info: www.battleshipnc.com/Events/GhostShip

The Fort Fisher State Recreation Area will open up its typically closed trails for Ghost Hike on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19-20. A ranger will guide guests on the eerie history of the trails. Tour begins at 8 p.m. Flashlights are permitted. Call to reserve a spot. Info: 458-5798

The Trick or Treat Tennis Tournament at Althea Gibson Tennis Complex at Empie Park will be Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19-20. Participant teams of four players each – ages 14 and older, with two men and two women – will compete in costumes. There will be prizes for the best-dressed team. Admission is $30, and proceeds will go towards the Friends of Empie Park. The tournament begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday. Info: 341-4631 or e-mail [email protected]

FESTIVAL

The 11th annual Lighthouse Beer Festival, hosted by Lighthouse Beer & Wine, will be Saturday, Oct. 20. The event hosts more than 90 craft breweries, so guests can sample a variety of beers, while enjoying food and live music. A portion of the proceeds will support the Carousel Center for Abused Children. The festival will be 1-5 p.m., and a free shuttle service to the greater Wilmington area will available afterwards. Info: www.lighthouse.sageislanddev.com

Wilmington’s 11th annual Oktoberfest will be Friday-Saturday, Oct. 19-20, at the New Hanover County Government Center. Guests can enjoy German food, live music,  dog races and, of course, good beer. The festivities begin 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday. Admission is $5 and will benefit the Pretty in Pink Foundation. Info: www.oktoberfestwilmington.com

The Airlie Oyster Roast will be Friday, Oct. 19. A night of seafood and fun, the event includes live music, a cash bar and dinner. The event will be 6-11 p.m. at the gardens. Tickets are $75 and will benefit Airlie Garden’s Environmental Education Program. Info: www.airliegardens.org or 798-7709

FUNDRAISER

The Alpha Psi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority will hold a luncheon Saturday, Oct. 20 honoring those “standing up against cancer.” The event will take place 11 a.m. at Ebenezer Empowerment Center, 2929 Princess Place Drive. Tickets are $25, and proceeds will be donated to the New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s Zimmer Cancer Center. Info: [email protected]

FAMILY FUN

People and pets alike are welcome at the 4th annual Salty Paws Festival at Carolina Beach Lake Park on Saturday, Oct. 20. Admission is $6 for adults and free for children under 10. The event is 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Info: www.SavingAnimalsDuringDisasters.com or call 458-7233

Unleash the mad scientist within at Science Spooktacular, hosted by the Cape Fear Museum on Saturday, Oct. 20. Participants will conduct experiments that will smoke, bubble and glow, as well as take a spooky tour to find skeletons, weird weather and more.  This event will be 6-10 p.m. Admission is $3 for museum members and $6 for non-members. Info: www.capefearmuseum.com. 

PERFORMING ARTS

On Saturday, Oct. 20, Thalian Hall presents Fay Lane’s Beauty Shop Stories. Fay Lane’s songs and stories of her youth spent in her mother’s beauty shop in Texas will captivate audiences, as they have in cities across the country. The show beings at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. Info: www.beautyshopstories.com. 

Dreams of Wilmington presents Poetry off the Page, a performance by poet and Kennedy Center Teaching Artist Glenis Redmond. Redmond utilizes her own experiences, her family and her African-American heritage to inspire her poems, which she will read. The event will be on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 4 p.m. Info: call 772-1501. 

St. Mary Catholic Church will be the site for Peace Through Music on Sunday, Oct. 21. As a part of Daniel Pearl World Music Days, the event will include music, dance and spoken performances. Organized by the Sister Cities Association of Wilmington, the evening will include performances by the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra, Carolina Vocal Arts Ensemble, New Beginning Dance in Motion and more. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Info: call 343-5226.

KITCHEN TOUR

The 7th annual Back Door Kitchen Tour, hosted by the Residents of Old Wilmington, features nine kitchens in historic downtown Wilmington. The tour will be Saturday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and visitors will visit the kitchens at their own pace. A complimentary trolley service between the homes will be available. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children. Info: www.rowwilmington.org.   

FISHING

The Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge will take place Friday-Sunday, Oct. 19-21, near the Federal Point Shopping Center in Carolina Beach. Competitors will compete for various prizes. This family-friendly event begins at midnight on Friday and ends at noon on Sunday. Admission is $55-$65. Info: call 409-8379.