No tricks here.
Straight up, there’s more than a ghost of a chance for seasonal chills or just plain fun this weekend.
Who knows? With all the variety of activities available, then heavens to Linus, the Great Pumpkin might even rise out of the pumpkin patch and spread cheer to all the good little boys and girls.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the local activities so you can discover what just might be your bag this Halloween.
The Haunting at Shireman Homestead: Organizer Cheryl Moore is still a kid at heart and a former Headless Horseman complete with literally fiery fingers in her Halloween past. She takes pride in the fact that her setup at her and her husband’s farm at 7060 W. County Road 200N west of Columbus has scared even the “cool” teens in the past.
Her haunted trail, haunted Western town and other offerings has attracted about 400 visitors each weekend in October, but final weekends such as this one always draw the biggest crowds.
“We’ve also seen repeat people the past three weekends,” she said.
Details: 4 to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, non-scary time for younger visitors, $5. Scary times are 8 to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday, $15. Plus, Saturday features the Kentucky Cowboy Posse Wild West show, and a trick horse show. Information: shiremanhomestead.com
When Darkness Falls Haunted Trail: Ceraland Park has long been a favorite stop this time of year. Their promotional line this year: “There’s something in the air, and out in the woods. Do you have what it takes to make it out alive?” The Facebook page at When Darkness Falls Haunted Trail is worth a stop. It contains some fitting, creative and humorous homemade video clips. Crowds have been averaging 600 visitors per weekend, according to staff. Details: 8 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3989 S. County Road 525E, southeast of Columbus.
Spook the Park: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Ninth Street Park, 1023 Ninth St. in Columbus. Community cookout, 2 to 4 p.m.; vaccination clinic, 2 to 5 p.m.; trick or treating, 4 to 6 p.m.
Park of the Living Dead: 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Mill Race Park on Carl Miske Drive in downtown Columbus. The park will be overrun with zombies. As survivors, it is your job to secure shelter, find food, train with a weapon, gain access to medical supplies, and ultimately create the cure. Children 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Kidscommons Haunted Museum: Walk through the indoor haunted trail of the museum, 309 Washington St., in downtown Columbus. Families are invited to stop at each spooky exhibit for a fun activity and collect treats from monsters. Event will take 15 minutes to complete, with children walking away with a bag of goodies. Guests can walk through museum once per ticket. Times: 6 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 7 p.m., or 7:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cost: $10 member child (age 6-12), $5 member adult (age 18-plus), $13 general admission child (Age 6-12), $6.50 general admission child (Age 18-plus). Must be 6 years old to attend. Limited tickets available. Registration: shop.kidscommons.org.
Howl-o-ween: You can change up the holiday a bit Sunday and include the somewhat nontraditional members of your family at the Howl-o-ween event from 1 to 3 p.m. at Hog Molly Brewing Company, 830 Depot St., Columbus. Yep, it’s for our furry friends in costume. There will be costume contests for the cutest, funniest, and scariest dog costumes. Judging will begin promptly at 2 p.m. and prizes will be awarded. $1 for every pint of liquor sold will benefit the Bartholomew County Humane Society. Information: Facebook page for Howloween at Hog Molly’s — Fundraiser.
‘70s vs. ‘80s Halloween Party: at Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., Nashville, Saturday at {span}7:30 p.m{/span}. Welcome to a musical battle of the decades: ‘70s vs ‘80s. Live music from Pulse Entertainment will be performed from those two time periods, complete with musicians dressing up to fit the tunes — and encouraging attendees to do the same. There will be a costume contest, trivia and candy.
