Chesterfield Week Ahead: Halloween Events and Schools Referendum Q&A
TL;DR: Chesterfield County residents can ask final questions about the "1 For Schools" sales tax referendum at a Monday Facebook Live, with Halloween celebrations throughout the week including Spooktacular on Tuesday and multiple Saturday events.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County residents, school and county officials
- What: Halloween celebrations and "1 For Schools" referendum question-and-answer session
- When: Monday Oct. 19 (Facebook Live, 6 p.m.); Tuesday Oct. 20 (Spooktacular, 6-8:30 p.m.); Saturday Oct. 24 (Día de los Muertos, Costume Stroll, Zombie Fun Run)
- Where: Multiple Chesterfield County locations including River City Sportsplex, Perkinson Center, Westchester Commons, Smoketree Pool
The story
Chesterfield County residents have multiple Halloween celebrations and a key opportunity to learn more about the "1 For Schools" referendum this week. On Monday evening, county and school officials will host a Facebook Live session to answer final questions about the 1% sales tax referendum before Election Day on November 3. Tuesday kicks off Halloween festivities with Spooktacular at River City Sportsplex, while Saturday brings several community celebrations centered on the holiday.
County and school staff will answer residents' questions about the "1 For Schools" referendum during a Facebook Live event at 6 p.m. on Monday, October 19. The referendum asks voters to authorize an additional 1 percentage point local sales tax, which would raise the current rate from 6% to 7%. The tax would not apply to groceries and personal hygiene products. If approved by voters and subsequently adopted by the Board of Supervisors, the annual revenue estimated at $65 million to $70 million would fund capital projects for Chesterfield County Public Schools, including replacing the aging Midlothian Middle School, originally built in 1924, and constructing two new elementary schools. The tax would expire in July 2046. The Board of Supervisors has signaled it may reduce real estate and personal property tax rates if voters approve the measure.
Spooktacular, Chesterfield's annual Halloween celebration, will take place Tuesday, October 20, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at River City Sportsplex (13030 Genito Road). The free, family-friendly event features bounce houses, haunted train rides, candy, food vendors, music, photo booths, and glitter tattoos. No glass, alcohol, or pets are permitted. Free parking will be available on the three large fields hosting the activities.
Halloween festivities continue Saturday with three separate events. The Latin Ballet of Virginia will host a Día de los Muertos celebration at the Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education (11810 Centre Street, Chester) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event features live dance performances hourly, art-making stations, face painting, crafts, and food vendors. Westchester Commons will hold a Halloween Main Street Costume Stroll at 5 p.m. at 15701 WC Main Street, Midlothian. The Smoketree Zombie Fun Run, scheduled for Saturday, October 24, offers participants two options: a one-mile Family Walk starting at 5:30 p.m. or a Halloween-themed 5K beginning at 6:45 p.m., both starting from Smoketree Pool (11100 Smoketree Drive, North Chesterfield). The 5K route is haunted by costumed participants providing jump scares and Halloween decorations.
For more information on county Halloween events, residents can call 804-748-1623 or visit Chesterfield.gov/Parks.
Key players
- Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation: Hosts Spooktacular and organizes county Halloween events
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors and Schools: Co-host Facebook Live session on 1 For Schools referendum
- Latin Ballet of Virginia: Organizes Día de los Muertos celebration at Perkinson Center
Key dates
- 2026-10-19: Facebook Live Q&A on 1 For Schools referendum (6 p.m.)
- 2026-10-20: Spooktacular at River City Sportsplex (6-8:30 p.m.)
- 2026-10-24: Día de los Muertos at Perkinson Center (11 a.m.-3 p.m.); Westchester Commons Costume Stroll (5 p.m.); Smoketree Zombie Fun Run (5:30 p.m. Family Walk, 6:45 p.m. 5K)
- 2026-11-03: 1 For Schools referendum election day
The case for
The referendum would generate $65-70 million annually for school capital projects, including replacing the aging 1924-built Midlothian Middle School and constructing two new elementary schools, while the Board of Supervisors has signaled possible reductions to real estate and personal property tax rates for approval.
The case against
The additional 1% sales tax would increase the overall rate to 7%, adding to the cost of purchases for county residents and businesses, though groceries and personal hygiene products would remain exempt.
Why it matters: The "1 For Schools" referendum determines whether Chesterfield County will fund critical school infrastructure improvements, with Election Day set for November 3. Residents have this final week to attend the Monday question-and-answer session before voting.
Places
- River City Sportsplex
- Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education
- Westchester Commons
- Smoketree Pool
- Midlothian Middle School
Development timeline
- 2026-10-191 For Schools Facebook Live Q&A: County and school officials answer resident questions about the sales tax referendum at 6 p.m. [source]
- 2026-10-20Spooktacular at River City Sportsplex: Free family-friendly Halloween event with bounce houses, haunted train rides, candy, food vendors, music, photo booths, and glitter tattoos from 6-8:30 p.m. [source]
- 2026-10-24Día de los Muertos Celebration at Perkinson Center: Latin Ballet of Virginia hosts free celebration with hourly dance performances, art-making stations, face painting, and food vendors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. [source]
- 2026-10-24Westchester Commons Halloween Costume Stroll: Free costume stroll and trick-or-treating event at 5 p.m. [source]
- 2026-10-24Smoketree Zombie Fun Run: Halloween-themed event with Family Walk at 5:30 p.m. and 5K run at 6:45 p.m., starting from Smoketree Pool. [source]
Related links
- 1 For Schools Referendum - Official Page
- Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation
- Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education
Read the original at Chesterfield County (YouTube) →
Sources
- Spooktacular! Returns with Bigger Halloween Celebration
- 1 For Schools Referendum
- Voters to Decide on Local Sales Tax Plan, 1 For Schools, on Nov. 3
- What is Chesterfield's 1 for Schools tax referendum on fall ballots? - VPM
- River City Roundup: Oct. 19, 2026
- Smoketree Zombie Fun Run 2026