A wish by the Swamp Fox Players for several years will finally flash its fangs, in time for Halloween.

The theater troupe, based at the historic Strand Theater in Georgetown, will close 2012 with its production of “Dracula,” opening Friday for three weekends through Nov. 11.

Everyone in the Halloween and harvest time mood has many outlets to celebrate the season up and down the Grand Strand, and in Horry County’s county seat of Conway.

Foy Ford, theater manager, said the Swamp Fox Players had looked five years ago at Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” set in 1899, “but that didn’t work out.”

“We’ve been having this in the back of our minds,” she said, crediting director Bob Gauss for wanting to see the project through.

“Fall was the right time,” Ford said. “Of course, it has to be in October and November.”

The 13 cast members include a couple of high school students, Ford said, summarizing the mature content as “PG-13.”

“It’s a very sensual play,” she said.

‘Howl-O-Scream’

In North Myrtle Beach, students from the sport and recreation programming program at Coastal Carolina University in Conway are teaming up again to help throw North Myrtle Beach’s annual “Howl-O-Scream” Saturday evening in the city’s McLean Park.

Bryann Hoffman, a senior in the CCU program, said she’s among 10 classmates “helping with volunteering, budgeting and ordering pumpkins” for a community night out which planners expect will draw more than 3,000 people.

“It’s really nice for families to come out to,” said Hoffman, who wants to work professionally in a recreation department. “I’m hopeful this experience will definitely help.”

The Pennsylvania native called Halloween one of her favorite holidays, and she remembered growing up with hay rides and her mother taking the family out for apple picking.

Hoffman said “Howl-O-Scream” gives families a safe means to “to get all kids out all together,” and that “it’ll be really good for them to meet friends.”

She’s ready to bring home her own memories from helping stage the event.

“That’s what I like about event planning,” Hoffman said. “You’re planning it, and you get to enjoy it.”

She also cherishes the refreshing renewal from fall.

“I love the weather,” Hoffman said, “that crisp feeling in the air.”

Some ways to celebrate Halloween/harvest time

‘Superhero Zombies’

When | Open 2 p.m. Thursday-Wednesday

Where | Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, 901-915 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach

How much | $13.99 ages 12 and older, $7.99 ages 6-11

Information | 448-2331 or www.ripleys.com./myrtlebeach

10th annual ‘Conway Ghost Walk: Spirits of the Lowcountry’

Who | Conway Downtown Alive

With | Professional storytellers weaving hourlong tales of Lowcountry haunts for one mile through downtown streets

When | Departing every 10 minutes, 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday

Where | From box office at PCRX Computers, 909 Norman Alley, Conway

How much | $15 ages 13 and older, otherwise $7

Information | 248-6260 or conwayalive.com

‘The Exorcist’ movie screenings

When | 10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday

Where | Cinemark at Coastal Grand mall, on Seaboard Street in Myrtle Beach

How much | $5

Information | 839-3225

‘It’s The Great Pumpkin’ Halloween event

When | 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Monday-Wednesday, and noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Where | Bass Pro Shops, south end of Myrtle Beach mall, at U.S. 17 and S.C. 22, near Briarcliffe Acres

Includes | Free:

• 4-by-6-inch pumpkin-patch photo with Peanuts characters and Peanuts-theme coloring sheets

• Early trick-or-treating 5-8 p.m. Friday

• Costume parade 6-7 p.m. Friday

• Crafts 1-4 p.m.: Saturday to make a Popsicle jack o’lantern, and Sunday to color a wooden mask.

• Halloween scavenger hunt with prizes, and grab-an-apple activity 1-3 p.m. Saturday.

Information | 361-4800 or www.basspro.com

Hobcaw Barony

What and when |

• “Tricks of Nature,” 5-7 p.m. Friday, for children ages 10 and younger, accompanied by an adult, for trick-or-treating dressed as a favorite native animal, with activities such as a short hayride, storytelling and a bonfire at the pond pavilion, for $5.

• “Bike to the Boardwalk, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, through forests to salt marsh boardwalk on North Inlet, free for 15 participants.

• “Photo Safari,” 6:30-11 a.m. Tuesday, with Donald Withers, a naturalist and nature photographer, for $50.

Where | Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center, on U.S. 17 just north of Georgetown and one mile south of DeBordieu Colony

Information | Reservations at 546-4623; more details at www.hobcawbarony.org

‘Huntington’s Haunted Halloween’

When | 6-9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Where | Atalaya home, in Huntington Beach State Park, on U.S. 17 between Murrells Inlet and Litchfield Beach, across from Brookgreen Gardens.

Includes | Two haunted house attractions – Hall of Wonders and Ghost Manor, “Scooby Doo” cartoons on a big screen, s’mores and a bonfire.

How much | $10 ages 16 and older and $7 ages 6-15, and free ages 5 and younger – park admission free on these nights only.

Park open | 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Regular admission | $5 ages 16 and older, $3.25 S.C. seniors, $3 ages 6-15

Information | 235-8755, 237-4440 or www.southcarolinaparks.com

‘Dracula’

Who | Swamp Fox Players

When | 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Nov. 1-3 and 9-10; and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 4 and 11

Where | Strand Theater, 710 Front St., Georgetown

How much | $15

Information | 527-2924 or www.swampfoxplayers.com

Information | 215-1038

‘Whose Haunting Is It Anyway?’

When |

• 8 p.m. Friday, for all ages

• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, for ages 18 and older, including costume contest.

Where | Carolina Improv Company in the Uptown Theater, by Bass Pro Shops in Myrtle Beach mall, at U.S. 17 and S.C. 22, near Briarcliffe Acres

How much | $14 adults, $12 children

Information | 272-4242 or www.carolinaimprov.com

‘Dancing with Wool’ public art project

Who | Create Conway and the Dixie Knitters, with more than 24 fiber artists

What | Temporary outdoor art installation of “yarn bombing” – with more than 20,000 inches of multicolor crochet and knitted artwork – on lamp posts, and free crochet and knitting workshops in gazebo

When | Opening 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, and on display through Dec. 1

Where | In Conway’s Riverfront Park, at end of Elm Street

Also | When the installation is disassembled, the items will be made into scarves, hats and blankets for donation to a worthy cause.

Information | 248-3558 or createconway.com

North Myrtle Beach Endless Summer Festival

By | North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce

When | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

Where | Main Street and the Horseshoe in North Myrtle Beach

Scheduled entertainment includes | Marsha Morgan Band 12:30-2 p.m., and the Carolina Breakers 2:30-4.

How much | Free

Information | 361-3045 or www.nmbevents.com

‘If the River Could Tell ... Ghost Stories’ paddle

Who | Winyah Rivers Foundation’s Winyah Riverkeeper Program

When | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

Where | On Waccamaw River from Wachesaw Landing at Wacca Wache Marina, on west end of Wachesaw Road near Murrells Inlet

Also | Dress in costume decorated kayaks

Information | 349-4007, www.winyahrivers.org, or email riverkeeper@winyahrivers.org

‘Autumn Jazz Pizazz Fest’

When | noon-6 p.m. Saturday

Where | La Belle Amie Vineyard, 1120 St. Joseph Road, Little River, just west of North Myrtle Beach Middle School

Entertainment | Jazz Pizazz, Jazz Etc., and Peggy Buck

How much | $8 ages 18-79, otherwise free; also, bring two canned/dry food items for relay to area food banks for $3 discount.

Information | 399-9463 or www.labelleamie.com

‘Halloween at the Old Bridge’

Who | Old Bridge Preservation Society

Benefiting | Brunswick County Streetreach Inc. ( www.bcstreetreach.org) – everyone asked to bring canned food donations.

When | 5-7 p.m. Saturday

Where | “Old (swing) Bridge,” 109 Shoreline Drive, Sunset Beach, N.C.

How much | Free admission

Includes | Contest for children’s costumes and in apple eating, local musicians, and Trunk or Treat.

Information | www.oldbridgepreservationsociety.org or email oldbridgepreservationsociety@gmail.com

Annual ‘Howl-O-Scream’

Who | North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department and Coastal Carolina University’s sport and recreation programming class

When | 5-8 p.m. Saturday

Where | North Myrtle Beach’s McLean Park, 93 Oak Drive, west of Ocean Boulevard, between First and Third avenues south

How much | Free

Includes | Live entertainment, mummy wrap, face painting, pumpkin painting, and a costume contest

Information | 280-5584 or parks.nmb.us.

‘Brew at the Zoo’

When | 6-9 p.m. Saturday

Where | Lowcountry Zoo, Brookgreen Gardens, on U.S. 17 between Murrells Inlet and Litchfield Beach

How much | $35 members, otherwise $40; and $15 for designated driver

Includes | Tastings of more than 30 regional and national craft beers, and entertainment by Bullfrog of Murrells Inlet

Also

Information | 235-6000, 800-849-1931 or www.brookgreen.org

Third annual Halloween Carnival

Who | Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism

When | 6-9 p.m. Saturday

Where | Conway Recreation Center, 1515 Mill Pond Road, between U.S. 501 and U.S. 378

How much | Free admission; games 25 cents to $1 each, or $5 for an all-games pass.

Also | Costume contest 7:30 p.m., and “Monster House” will play outside on big screen

Information | 248-1740 or www.conwayparksandrecreation.com

Roller skating

What | Dress in costume for free skating admission

When | 6-11 p.m. Saturday and 6-9 p.m. Wednesday

Where | Fun Warehouse Family Fun Center, 2349 Dick Pond Road (S.C. 544), between Socastee and Surfside Beach, a half-mile east of U.S. 17 Bypass

Information | 748-0302 or www.funwarehousemb.com

‘Celebrity Square of Terror’

When | 8 p.m. Saturday

Where | Broadway at the Beach’s Celebrity Square, in Myrtle Beach

What and when | DJ at 8 p.m., and adult costume contest for $5,000 in prizes later in evening

How much | Free

Also Everyone in costume to the event gains free entry to these clubs in Celebrity Square: Broadway Louie’s, Club Boca, Crocodile Rocks, Froggy Bottomz, Malibu’s Surf Bar, Revolutions, and Rodeo Bar & Grill.

Information | 444-3200, 800-386-4662 or www.broadwayatthebeach.com

‘Howl-o-ween Extravaganza Benefit’

Benefiting | Horry County Animal Care Center in Conway Castaways Paws Rescue

When | 1-4 p.m. Sunday

Where | The X Sports Center, 568 George Bishop Parkway, just west of Myrtle Beach, between U.S. 501 and U.S. 17 Bypass

How much | Free admission

Includes | Costume contests, demonstration and nail trims

Information | 446-5011 or www.facebook.com/FriendsOfHCACC

‘Halloween Spooktacular’ Fall Music Recital

When | 3 p.m. Sunday

Where | Andy Owings School of Music & Performing Arts Center, in Coastal Grand mall in Myrtle Beach, behind Sears, across from Books-A-Million

How much | Free

Also | Wear costumes and compete for prizes.

Information | 839-1505 or www.andyowingsmusic.com

Fourth annual 'Batty Battleship's Halloween Bash'

When | 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday

Where | Battleship North Carolina, at U.S. 17 and U.S. 421 North in Wilmington

How much | $5 ages 3 and older

Includes | Trick-or-treating, carnival and petting zoo

Information | 910-251-5797 or www.battleshipnc.com

Haunted houses

Open nightly through Wednesday each with $15 admission:

• “Visions of Horror,” at 6 p.m. on northeast side of Broadway at the Beach, at 29th Avenue North and Grissom Parkway in Myrtle Beach, where the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit was shown. Details at www.facebook.com/pages/Visions-of-Horror/150881428281928?ref=ts&fref=ts.

• “Dr. Scream’s Scream Park, at dark, at Myrtle Beach Speedway, on U.S. 501, just north of S.C. 31, near Carolina Forest. Details at www.facebook.com/DrScreams2012MyrtleBeachSpeedway.

‘Terror Under the Bridge’

Benefiting | Fostering Hope Inc., which assists foster-care children in the region

When | 7-11 p.m. Thursday-Wednesday

Where | 103 Third Ave., Conway, in the old warehouse under the Main Street Bridge, on the Riverwalk

How much | $10

Information | 283-9229 or myrtlebeachhauntedhouse.net

12th annual Halloween Party

When | 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday

Where | Runaway Bay Miniature Golf, 1800 U.S. 17 Business S., Garden City Beach

How much | Free

Includes | Costume contest for ages infants-age 5 and ages 6-12, mini golf and hayrides

Information | 215-1038

Barefoot Landing

Where | Barefoot Landing, on U.S. 17 in North Myrtle Beach

What | Children’s and pets’ Halloween Costume Contests, 1 p.m. Saturday, along with face painting, free carousel rides for youngsters in costume, and kids’ karaoke.

How much | Free

More information | 272-8349 or www.bflanding.com

Mall/retail trick-or-treating

When and where | Wednesday, all free:

• 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Broadway at the Beach, in Myrtle Beach. 444-3200, 800-386-4662 or www.broadwayatthebeach.com.

• 5-7 p.m. at Coastal Grand, in Myrtle Beach. 839-9100 or www.coastalgrand.com.

• 5-7 p.m. at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. 272-8349 or www.bflanding.com.

• 5-8 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops, at Myrtle Square mall. 361-4800 or www.basspro.com.

• 6-7 p.m. at The Market Common. 839-3500 or www.marketcommonevents.com.

• 6-8 p.m. at Inlet Square, in Murrells Inlet. 651-6990 or www.inletsquaremall.com.

Annual ‘Halloween on the Marsh Walk’

When | 5-11 p.m. Wednesday

Where | Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk, on U.S. 17 Business

What and when |

• Trick-or-treating and children’s costume contest, 5-6 p.m., with judging afterward at pirate statue behind Drunken Jack’s Restaurant for three prizes each for Scariest, the Funniest, and the Most Creative costumes.

• Adult costume contest, 7-10:30 p.m., including top prize of $1,500. All contestants must visit each of the seven Marsh Walk restaurants – Spud’s Waterfront Dining, Dead Dog Saloon, Creek Ratz, Capt. Dave’s Dockside, Drunken Jack’s, Divine Fish House and Bovine’s Wood-Fired Specialties – and collect a paper bracelet for eligibility for final judging and prizes.

Information | 651-2484 or marshwalk.com

‘Wild West Fall Festival’

When | 6-9 p.m. Wednesday

Where | PowerHouse Church, 950 S.C. 57 S., Little River, a half-mile from North Myrtle Beach Elementary School

How much | Free; $5 entry fee for chili cookoff

Includes | Costume contests, hay rides, pumpkin decorating, and for all children, a candy-filled treat bag.

Information | 222-4206 or www.powerhousenmb.com

Contact STEVE PALISIN at 444-1764.