While the jury's still out
on what kind of weather we're going to have for Halloween this year -- on a
Saturday, no less -- there are myriad opportunities to explore the scary and
not-so-scary aspects of the annual fright fest.
Who knows --
maybe ski season will be upon us by Halloween this year. But just in case that
doesn't come to pass, Buck Hill Ski Resort in Burnsville presents
Frightmares at Buck
Hill, open weekends (and some weekdays) through Halloween. Visit the
Orchard Manor Dead and Breakfast, the Fright Factory, the Bellharm-Lovejoy
Asylum, and the Haunted Hollow. Live music on weekends -- but is it really
live?
Shakopee's
ValleySCARE, known during the summer as
Valleyfair, kicks it into high gear for the Halloween season. Open Friday-Sunday
(and Wednesday and Thursday this week, Oct. 14-15) through Nov. 1, you have the
choice of gentle Halloween fun during the day (think trick-or-treat trails and
coloring contests for the young ones, as well as the children's rides) to more
intense events after dark (seven haunted attractions). Rides are available as
well for those who find roller coasters more terrifying than any old ghost or goblin.
Valleyfair season pass holders can use their pass for admittance.
Also
in Shakopee is the
Trail
of Terror Fest, offered Thursday-Sunday through Oct. 31. Haunted
hayrides. Indoor maze (3/4 mile). Bonfires. The Halls of Horror. Hypnotists.
Mechanical bull rides. A multi-course Phantom's Feast (reservations strongly
recommended). A 3-D circus and Phobia Frights. This one is for the serious
scare fans.
Star Limousine Service offers a wise
variety of Halloween-related services this year: they'll take your kids (and
you) trick-or-treating to safe neighborhoods; to costume contests at various
clubs across the Twin Cities; on tours to haunted houses and other trails of
terror; and even to haunted hayrides -- all in style.
The
Minnesota
Historical Society is always a good bet for a unique take on a
holiday, with several special events planned. (Call ahead, as some events
require registration.)
Shadows and Spirits of the Capitol takes place Thursday-Sunday evenings at the State
Capitol, which will be lit similarly to its early days and where "ghosts"
of the past tell visitors stories about the Capitol's history.
The
Oliver H. Kelley Farm in Elk River will offer evening performances of
Reader's Theatre: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
on Oct. 23-24. What better place to enjoy this scary tale than a historic farm?
The
James J. Hill House is the perfect site for
Victorian Ghost Stories, offered Oct. 18,
25, and Nov. 1. Costumed guides tell stories of haunted St. Paul mansions, as well as stories by
Edgar Allan Poe and the Brothers Grimm. Could be too scary for children under
10.
At the Mall of America, Nickelodeon Universe hosts
Nick
or Treat. Forget dealing with the unpredictable Minnesota October weather. Take a hike to
the MOA for costume parties, trick-or-treating, and special "ghostly"
photos.
If all of this isn't enough for you, then venture
out to Anoka, which bills itself as the
Halloween Capital of the World. They
take Halloween very seriously. A two-week celebration includes parades, Ghosts
of Anoka walking tours, wine tastings, costume contests, a 5k run, live music,
and a Spooktacular Carnival. See Web site for specifics.
What
else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night
WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment,
Finding Minnesota.
Photo courtesy of Buck Hill.
