#tgevent

[thegateshq]

Over the past few weeks all anyone in The Gates has been talking about, aside the strange and unexpected death of Cathy Beaumont, is the annual Harvest Festival. Every October, just early enough for families to go through the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect pumpkin for carving, The Gates holds a fun for all Harvest Festival in the middle of town! And this year is no different. Hay bundles that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere are strategically placed around the town center to act as possible seating for tired residents, and booths a-plenty have been built to add to the festival fun. Banners, scarecrows, and all kinds of autumnal decorations bring a cozy feeling to the town, and are only aided by the scent of pumpkin spiced lattes and apple cider donuts.

Welcome to the Harvest Festival

The Harvest Festival runs for one weekend every October, from Friday to Sunday, and there's plenty to do for residents looking to get out of their houses and enjoy the fall weather. Games, rides, food, and drinks are often at the top of everyone's list, and every year dozens of residents come together to help put this festival on. Listed below are a handful of booths, rides, and food stalls located in the festival, as well as the kind members of the community who are volunteering their time to help out.

Rides & Activites

Bobbing for Apples (hosted by the Sheriff's Department): You can find this activity in front of the gazebo in the middle of town, with difficulty levels ranging for all ages.

Ferris Wheel: Built by the pier, this is the perfect spot to see the beautiful view of the island from up above, or get cozy with a date.

Handmade Candles (run by Twilight Herbs): If you're looking to buy a seasonal candle, or make one, then stop by Twilight Herbs.

Haunted Firehouse (hosted by the Fire Department): Take a walk through the haunted firehouse with a group of friends or alone if you DARE!

Horror Book Exchange (hosted by the Public Library): Looking for your next five star read or want to share your favorite horror novel with someone? Come trade a book for a book!

Magnetic Fishing (fun by Bait n' Tackle): Put your patience to the test in this quick and cute game. If you're able to successfully catch one of the metal fish on a magnetic fishing pole, you'll get to pick from a handful of plush prizes.

Pumpkin Patch: Find the perfect pumpkin (kindly donated by the folks at Sacred Heart Church) for all your carving needs.

Psychic Readings (hosted by Mystic Tarot): Looking to find out the name of your one true love or how many kids you'll have? Visit Mystic Tarot for a free reading.

Food & Drinks

Dead Man's Pub will be running a pop up booth near the north side of town square with different kinds of barbecue for purchase. If you're thirsty, they also have hard apple cider and beer available.

Get your pumpkin spiced latte and apple cider donut fix by visiting the booth run by The Dark Roast, located on the west side of town square.

The Harvest Festival is free of charge to attend and you can purchase tickets to many of the rides and games at the entrance. It is currently Friday, October 18th in game and the event will run until October 20th. For members, this event will begin today, January 18th. Please keep an eye on the main and announcements channel in our discord for event updates, including a future determination of when it will end.

[silvermoonhalo]

BOBBING FOR APPLES - a disaster MARCELINE DOE & anyone

Missing home and knowing she could never go back again were two weighted realities that made Marci contemplating sinking into the dark for the rest of her life. With the human realm having things like pizza delivery and Wi-Fi she could reasonably never leave her shared space and have everything she could possibly ever need brought to her fingertips. So long as she ignored her need for physical connection, for community. To replace what she had loss.

Participate and maybe you'll feel better, she thought while weaving in and out of something called a Harvest Festival. There were similar events in the Unseelie court. Events that brought them together, promising a brighter future. Marci could smell the special foods and wine, nothing in the human world compared. But in time? In time, had become her two word all encompassing mantra. An umbrella statement to cover everything. A breath in and out, in time. In time it would pass. This large open ache in the center of everything she was and would ever be...in time it will feel smaller. In the meantime she forced herself through the motions. Participating in rides that didn't go as high as she could fly, in games that were not dissimilar to ones she played as a child. How hard could it be to bob for apples? She watched as a person before her went, coming up without anything, just water dripping down their face; loss.

Marci figured she could capture an apple with ease and took her turn. Bracing on the edge of the basin she ducked her head into the still waters surface, teeth grasping, slipping, gnashing into the flesh of any apple until she felt it pierce and capture between her lips. She lifted up to applause and cheers. Her prize? A petulant boy angry over his loss kicking the water basin over, soaking Marci. Water dripped down her front and Marci dropped the apple kicking the fruit at the offending party and stomping away. "It's so cold!"