Halloween. Do we dread it or love it? Is candy a temptation or the one time of year we feel it’s acceptable to indulge? Do we accept the overwhelming number of cobwebs hung on trees and bushes as decoration or do they simply remind us of the sweeping we have neglected to do in our own houses? And finally–the age old question–is it “fun” to be spooked or plain obnoxious? Regardless of your feelings about these prompted questions and Halloween in general, the greater Annapolis area has a wealth of activities suitable for everybody. See what you like below and celebrate Halloween the way you want to.
For those who like a little spook with their holiday, attend the “Halloween Happening” at the AA County Fairgrounds. This “happening” affords the chance to wander throughout corn mazes, peruse the “meat locker” full of creepy sights, run from Pumpkin Head, and even try some tasty treats from the Ghoul’s Cafe. There is also a haunted barn and hay ride. T-shirts are available for you to proudly show off the fact you survived the haunted hay ride. Children under six get in free; all others must pay $13. Parking at the county fairgrounds is free. This “happening” is open October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27. Hours of operation are 7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7-9 p.m. Sunday. Visit the country fairgrounds site for more.
Right in downtown Annapolis, Halloween enthusiasts can enjoy a Ghost Tour through downtown’s historic district while hearing about the haunted past and visiting haunted places. There are two options for haunted ghost tours: the walking tour and the pub crawl. The walking ghost tour is a 90 minute affair that unravels mysteries. Touring commences Sundays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays, 7 and 9 p.m. The haunted pub crawl allows participants to drink at bars throughout downtown while hearing about a haunted past. This pub crawl is scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. These tours are open now. Visit Annapolis Tours and Crawls.
About five miles from Annapolis in Harwood, sits a spooky place called Heidi’s Haunted Hills. At this place, daring visitors can take a long walk through a forsaken forest along a trail cursed with ghosts and creepy crawlies. Kids are not encouraged to attend this scary trail walk. Heidi’s Haunted Hills accepts the brave every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October and again on Halloween night, from 7 to 10 p.m. Visit Heidi’s Haunted Hills.
If the words “Edals Valley Asylum,” “Syngaro’s Sinister Circus,” and “Wee Kids Maze” entice you and your family, attend Glen Burnie’s Wicked Woods attraction open every Saturday and Sunday in October after October 11. The first two attractions–Edals Valley Asylum and Syngaro’s Sinister Circus–are ideal for courageous folks above age eight. The last attraction is kid-friendly. The hours of operation are 7:30 to 11 p.m. Follow the link here to read more.
Bennett’s Curse in Jessup has been rated top 31 haunted houses in America and this year, the scariness will most likely be amped up as this year marks the 13th Bennett’s Curse has been around. Ticket admission is $30, but options of a Speed Pass and a VIP Pass are available for more money. Guests who participate will try to survive the incredibly spooky monsters and ghouls inside the haunted house. Bennett’s Curse is open for business October 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, and 31. Sundays, Thursdays, and October 29 and 30, the hours are 7-10 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays, and Halloween, Bennett’s is open one hour longer. Visit Bennett’s Curse for more.
Harvest festivals and kid-friendly Halloween events are also scheduled this month, all throughout the county:
As Halloween is traditionally a children’s holiday, The Chesapeake Children’s Museum puts on an event that celebrates the fall season Halloween belongs to. The “Harvest Hootenanny” kicks off on Sunday, October 20, starting at noon. This four-hour fall celebration allows families to enjoy fiddle-playing, scarecrow-stuffing, hay-riding, and more. Kids can observe and pet the animals brought over from Running Springs Farm. Vendors will be at the harvest festival with goods as well. This event is free after museum admission. Go to Chesapeake Children’s Museum to learn more.
Similar to the light-hearted fun happening at the CCM, the county puts on a “Fall Antique Tractor Pull” on October 5th as part of the Fall Craft Festival also happening at the country fairgrounds. Admission to the festival is $5 and is open to all. The festival begins at noon. Visit the “Tractor Pulls” page linked here for more info.
The Arundel Volunteer Fire Department in Gambrills puts on a Halloween festival perfect for kids who want to show off their costumes. This festival happens the day before Halloween–October 30, starting at noon. Lunch is provided with festival admission of $10. For more on this event and the next three, head to Edgewater Patch.
For older kids, the corn maze, haunted hayride, and haunted barn at Bay Front Road in Lothian is ideal. This harvest-inspired event costs $11.
Closer to home, the William Paca House in downtown Annapolis hosts a ghost tour on the property, tales of ghost adventures, and plenty of games to keep kids busy. Kids can participate in the Halloween costume contest as well. This event costs $15 for the general public and occurs on October 30, from 3 to 6 p.m.
Want to trick or treat in a different setting? Try the mall! This Halloween night, from 4 to 7 p.m., kids can dress up and trick or treat in the Westfield Annapolis Mall at participating stores.
Historic Hancock’s Resolution in Pasadena also puts on a harvest-inspired festival appropriate for the entire family. As part of the festival on Sunday, October 6, the folks at Hancock’s will provide demonstrations accompanied by hands-on activities for kids that teach about farm life, and plenty other fall activities to enjoy. Vendors will also set up their goods for purchase. The Fall Harvest Festival and Craft Day lasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit Hancock’s site for additional info.
Happy haunting, trick-or-treating, and costuming!
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