Published: October 05, 2009 01:37 pm      

Haunted happenings | Halloween events range from family friendly to frightfully fearsome

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

From the terror of a haunted house to the relative calmness of a corn maze, the Halloween spirit is alive in the region.

Hauntings at Huston’s Haunted Hollow at Huston’s Hickory Hollow Campground, Route 281, Rockwood, will be held from dusk to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31.

The hollow is billed as a high startle, interactive experience using strobe lights and artificial fog. Customers participate at their own risk.

It is not recommended for children younger than 7 or those with medical conditions.

There also will be 30-minute Hayrides of Horror that venture into the Evil Forest.

The cost is $13 for adults and $11 for children ages 10 and younger and group discounts.

Fright Nights at Kennywood Park are so frightening, it is recommended that those ages 13 and younger stay away.

Ghostly and ghastly spirits will take over the amusement park from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31.

A special haunting will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Sunday.

Those who dare can visit Mortem Manor, Villa of the Vampires, Captain Skully’s Curse in 3-D, Voo-doo Bayou, Kennyville Cemetery, Gory Park and Ghostwood Estate.

Spirits have taken over the rides, too, including the Exterminator and Phantom’s Revenge.

Tickets are $25.98 at the park or $22.98 at participating Giant Eagle locations.

Ghosts & Goblins Tours at Lincoln Caverns near Huntington will combine the good and evil of the season Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31, beginning this week.

Family-friendly tours will be offered from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, while haunted, scary adventures will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Tickets for the friendly tours are $11.95 for adults and $6.95 for children ages 4-12.

Tickets for the haunted cave tour and trail are $11.95.

Corn mazes will lead visitors on a merry chase at several farms in the area.

At Weakland Farms, Route 164, west of Portage, the corn maze will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 1 to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1.

The cost is $6 per person.

At Barr Ridge Farms, Route 271, north of Nicktown, a fall harvest and corn maze will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays through Oct. 31.

The cost is $4 for adults and $3 for children.

At Faranda’s Farm, 1171 Penn Ave., Hollsopple, the theme of this year’s maze is “Catch the Spirit, the Tradition of Boy & Girl Scouts.”

The corn maze will be open from 4 p.m. to dusk Fridays, 11 a.m. to dusk Saturdays and 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 30 and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 31.

Flashlight Nites, which will be held Oct. 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31, include hayrides, a fire ring and barnyard activities.

The last admission is at 9.

Admission to the maze is $10 or $8 for groups of more than 20.

Other nonfrightening fall and Halloween activities include pumpkin patches, hayrides and trick or treating.

Pumpkin Patch festivities will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 18 at Vale Wood Farms, 517 Vale Wood Road, Loretto.

Free kid-friendly activities will include meet the baby calf, interactive games, a fall maze and giant corn box.

Hayride farm tours will be available for $2 a person, with children ages 2 and younger riding free.

Admission is $2 per person, with children ages 2 and younger admitted free.

Hallowboo will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 25 at Idlewild Park, Ligonier.

Guests will enjoy trick or treating through Story Book Forest and hay bale and hedge mazes.

Admission is $21.99, with guests ages 2 and younger admitted free. Coupons for $4 off are available at participating Giant Eagle locations.