More than just zombies

Register Now - 4-Mile Run Will Leave You Screaming For More Hot Springs Village, Arkansas is hosting a special weekend for the outdoor enthusiast, headlined by the first annual Dusk Scare - a 4-mile competitive run through the Ouachita Mountains. This competitive run, presented by Village Home Center, set for Nov. 2, begins at 2:30 p.m. from Cortez Pavilion on Hernando Trail West; it is a challenging trail with lots of natural beauty. Participants walk or run the secluded tree-lined path while trying to avoid killer Zombies, tasked with snatching participants' life flags. (Life or health flags are worn on belts similar to those used in flag football). Runners try to stay one step ahead and keep their life lines intact. However, this is a competitive run; the winner will be declared on his/her performance time regardless of the number of life lines stolen during the event. (No one is disqualified even if ALL of his/her life lines end up in the hands of Zombies.) Walkers may participate for fun; but walking is not a competitive event. Click here to register now.

Bird Watching Eco Walk - 8:00 a.m. - Magellan Beaver Dam Trail Join members of the HSV Audubon Society for this Bird Watching Eco Walk from 8 to 10 a.m. Volunteers will hand out trail maps and offer helpful tips on spotting birds and other native wildlife. Walk along Magellan Beaver Dam at your leisure to enjoy the natural beauty and catch a glimpse of our feathered friends. What better way to get back to nature and enjoy the great outdoors! Event is free.

Geocaching Walk - 9:00 a.m. - Cedar Creek Trail Discover hidden treasures in the Geocaching Walk on Cedar Creek Trail from 9 to 11 a.m. Use your Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device to look for caches (small plastic containers) filled with trinkets and treasures hidden along the trail. Once a cache is found, take and keep a treasure and sign the logbook. Pick up your Geocaching treasure map at the trailhead; it will have the GPS coordinates you'll need to get started. The fun is in the hunting - so let the games begin! Parking will be at Parking Lot A or across the street at the old florist parking lot. A volunteer will be on hand to help as needed and hand out flyers. Event is free.

Cycling Fun Tour - 9:00 a.m. - Hernando Trail The Cycling Fun Tour is a scenic bike ride on Hernando Trail from 9 to 11 a.m. This is NOT a race, but a leisurely trek so bikers can enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The ride begins at the Village's POA building going east. Riders have a choice on how far they ride from 5 miles up to 11.2 miles. A trip to and from Ponce de Leon will be an 11.2-mile ride, or riders can turn around at the bridge over Danville Road for a 5-mile ride. Riders are cautioned to be aware of two-way trail traffic and street crossings. Riders must sign-up upon arrival giving their name, address, phone and emergency contact information to participate. A volunteer will hand out flyers and release riders in small groups allowing time between groups for adequate spacing. Enjoy the beauty and exhilaration of a bike ride along a secluded Hot Springs Village natural trail. Event is free.

Dog Costume Parade - 10:00 a.m. - Desoto Spillway Trail - Register Now! Bring your four-legged friend out to play and join in the Dog Costume Parade from 10 to 11:15 a.m. on the DeSoto Spillway Trail. Dress your dog in his/her favorite costume and enter to win. First place trophies will be awarded in three dog categories - large, medium and small. Dogs (and their owners) will parade down a portion of DeSoto Spillway Trail and back again so judges will have two opportunities to view costumes. (Please note this is a leashed event.) After judging, dogs and owners will parade to the Dog Park for the award ceremony. Pre-registration is required and the registration deadline is Oct. 31. To register, please email Sharon Bowen. Space is limited, so register today! Event is free.

Golf Cart Decoration Contest & Parade - 10:00 a.m. - Balboa Spillway Trail - Only First 25 Entries Accepted - Register Now! Get into the spirit of the day - enter your golf cart in the Halloween-themed contest and join in the parade. The Golf Cart Decoration Contest and Parade begins at 10 a.m. on Balboa Spillway Trail. Entries will decorate their golf cart (no mules or ATVs please) in a Halloween theme. The golf cart, driver and passenger must be in a Halloween costume. Golf carts will parade down a portion of the Balboa Spillway Trail. Golf carts will check-in upon arrival and will be given a number to display on their cart for judging. As the golf carts are staged for the parade, three judges will review each cart. First, second and third-place prizes, crafted by HSV Woodworkers, will be awarded at the end of the parade. Winners will be selected based on the Halloween-theme decorations that are considered the most original and creative. (The age, brand and condition of the cart will not be considered.) Participates must be registered BEFORE November 1. Send your name, email address, phone number and indicate if you will need to park a trailer the day of the event. (Carts that have not pre-registered will NOT be permitted on the trail during the event). Send your entry to Dale Webb, lead coordinator. She will get back to you with your registration number and details of the event. Only the first 25 entries will be accepted, so hurry to register! No entry fee required.

Segway Trail Tour - 11:00 a.m. - Desoto Marina Trail - Register Now! Learn more about the unique and exciting operation of the Segway Personal Transporter on the DeSoto Marina Trail from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.!  Segway of Arkansas will have several units on hand for demos and test rides. The ride will be along a short section of the DeSoto Marina Trail. The staging area will be announced before the event. Participants MUST pre-register by contacting Ralph Butler, lead coordinator. Registrants will be given a time slot and should arrive 15 minutes early. Since parking and Segway Personal Transporters are limited, pre-registration is critical. Event is free.