Fall is upon us. Crunchy leaves, apple cider, pumpkin carving and an abundance of fall fests and celebrations mark the season. Find your favorites and take advantage of the sights and smells of fall in Cleveland Plus. Please comment with fall activities we may have missed.
Harvest Fests, Ghostly Haunts and Trick-or-Treats
Cedar Point HalloWeekends
Weekends in October
Cedar Point Amusement Park
Every fall, Cedar Point Amusement Park transforms for HalloWeekends. During the day, friendly monsters parade down the midway with frightfully fun activities for the whole family. But when darkness falls, haunted houses, mazes and fiendish ghouls terrorize park guests. HalloWeekends attractions include four haunted houses, six outdoor walk-through scare zones and Cedar Point’s collection of world-class roller coasters and amusement rides.
Wicked Weekends
Weekends in October; 6:30pm
Clay’s Park Resort
Two terrifying haunted attractions and a haunted hayride on the grounds of Clay’s Park Resort every Friday and Saturday night through the month of October. General admission includes three haunted attractions. Not ready to take on all the frightening trails that lead into the dark forest? Single tickets for the hayride are also available. Gates open at 6:30pm and the attractions open at nightfall. Tickets available for purchase until midnight.
Ghostly Manor Ghostly Gauntlet
Now-October 31; Friday + Saturday 7pm-midnight, Sunday 7-10pm
Ghostly Manor
Eerie and ominous, Ghostly Manor Haunted House brings four new horrifying haunts to Sandusky this season. Ghostly Manor added another 50 percent of space this year to make the haunted house even LARGER and has expanded the outdoor haunt Ghostly Gauntlet. Wizards Journey is a 3-D blacklight haunted mini golf experience with live monsters – all new for 2011! The XD 4-D Theater Haunted Mine Ride is a haunted ride through an old abandoned mine and employs the latest in 4-D motion simulation.
Pumpkin Village
Now – November 5; Hours vary
Mapleside Farms
There are so many fun things to do packed into 100 acres of beautiful farmland. Experience the corn maze craze, ride the Moo-Lar Express, watch the kids enjoy more than a dozen interactive games and amusements at the Adventure Farm, complete with Ohio’s first 70-foot Jumping Pillow! Then, finish a perfect day in the Corn Courtyard with a favorite festive beverage relaxing in the glow of a blazing bonfire.
Fall Hayrides
October
Cleveland Metroparks
Tractor-drawn hayrides are offered on a first-come, first–served basis and leave approximately every half hour. All hayrides are ADA accessible. In addition to hayrides, enjoy free activities including square dancing for all ages, scavenger hunts, a hay maze and a face-painting, balloon-twisting clown. On Sundays, free bonus activities include coloring and craft stations, Haystack the Scarecrow, pumpkin carving demonstrations with Rock on Ice and free treat bags to kids (ages 11 and under) dressed in Halloween costumes (with paid admission). Before you leave, pick a pumpkin to paint and take home (for a nominal fee).
Murder in the Mansion
October 14, 20, 21, 27, 28; 7pm-9pm
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Without giving away too many details, this year’s mystery involves deception, betrayal, secrecy and jealousy involving F.A. Seiberling’s new rubber formula that is going to revolutionize the industry. Admission includes one glass of wine or beer and light snacks. Guests must be able to climb stairs and comfortable walking shoes are suggested.
Boo at the Zoo
October 20-23 + 27-30; 6pm-9pm
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Boo at the Zoo is a neighborhood of safe Halloween entertainment, with a spooky delight on every corner including animals on exhibit each evening. Happy haunts include: The Creepy Crawly Critter Animal Show, the Monster Mash Dance Party, the Not-So-Haunted Greenhouse, the Jack-O-Lantern Express Train Ride, the Halloween Hay Maze, magic shows, jugglers, stiltwalkers, musical entertainment and much more. Each child receives a complimentary treat bag. Kids and adults are encouraged to wear fun (not scary) costumes.
Halloween Harvest Festival
October 21 (6-9pm) + October 22 (10am-6pm)
Medina Public Square
There will be inflatables, Halloween games and crafts, a haunted house, hayrides, Halloween costume contest, magic show, balloon artist, face painting, carnival food, pumpkin patch, Jungle Bob’s creepy crawlers and more. Trick-or-treat in the Square on Friday 6pm-8pm.
Spooky Science Nights
October 21, 28, 29; 5:30-9pm
Great Lakes Science Center
Explore the Great Lakes Science Center for frightening fun during Spooky Science Nights through late October. Guests can listen to eerie stories aboard the haunted Mather Steamship, visit the heart-pounding, new special exhibition, Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear, witness an explosive indoor fireworks spectacle and much more.
I-X Trick or Treat Street
October 22-23 + 28-30
I-X Center
This not-too-scary Halloween Adventure is geared for children 10 and younger with themed candy stations, amusement rides, live entertainment and costume characters, all indoor and all included with the price of admission.
Trick or Treat on South High
October 27; 6:30-8:30pm
Akron Art Museum
Do you ever feel like Halloween can’t come soon enough? Break out your costume early and head down to the Akron Art museum for a night of fun and surprises. The whole family will make discoveries during a quirky scavenger hunt through the museum galleries. What will your treats be? Art supplies, of course. There will also be plenty of hands-on Halloween art making in the lobby for parents and little goblins alike. Reservations are required for this event.
Cleveland Critical Mass Halloween Ride
October 28; 7-10pm
The annual Cleveland Critical Mass Halloween Ride takes place Friday, October 28. Meet in the southwest quadrant of Public Square at 6:30pm, for a bicycle ride around Downtown and other Cleveland neighborhoods. The ride happens this and every month regardless of weather. The October ride has taken on the tradition of becoming a costumed stroll around town, and this year will be no different. So dress up however you’d like (or not).
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show”
October 28; 10pm
Sandusky State Theater
The Fishnet Mafia brings you “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” in a way you have never seen it before. Experience the 36 year old cult phenomenon as the actors alternately lampoon and pay homage to the wacky sci-fi musical. The audience is encouraged to participate byshouting back at the stage, and interacting with the cast during a pre-film introduction!
Trick or Treat at Eton
October 29; 1-4pm
Enjoy family-fun entertainment including a balloon twister, candy and a visit from Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt.
Science Tricks and Spooky Treats
October 29-30; 11am-4pm
Children’s Museum of Cleveland
Kids will enjoy cool science tricks and healthy Halloween treats. A costume you may wear, but be sure it doesn’t scare! Bring the whole family to dance the Monster Mash, Play Spider Limbo and have a blast!
Fall Harvest Dinner
November 2
Pura Vida by Brandt
Enjoy four courses of fresh Ohio cuisine featuring the farm of James Hamilton – Pura Vida’s private farmer. Cash bar.
Cleveland Culinary Challenge
November 3; 5:30-9pm
Cuyahoga Community College Hospitality Management Center
The Cleveland Culinary Challenge is the perfect pairing of Cleveland’s culinary up-and-comers and some of the area’s star chefs competing Iron Chef-style. Sample culinary creations from Pura Vida by Brandt while enjoying exciting demonstrations such as flair bartending, ice sculpting and pastry making. Then top off the evening with a dessert martini and a chance to win raffle prizes.
Fall Into FunFest: A Celebration of the Harvest Season
November 12; 10am-4pm
The Children’s Museum of Cleveland
Celebrate the harvest season with The Children’s Museum of Cleveland. Kids get a chance to try their luck at fall themed carnival games. They will also use their art skills for apple stamping and gourd painting, as well as making their own applesauce. Don’t miss out on the fall family fun!
Adult Halloween Parties
3rd Annual Pumpkin Party
October 22
Serving all things pumpkin! Wonder Bar will have great Pumpkin Ales, bottles and drafts, as well as pumpkin appetizers. Feeling adventurous? Try Bobbing for Beers! Jazz band Teddy Pantelas Trio performs 9-11pm, DJ Blackbird 11pm-close.
Third Annual Cleveland Zombie Crawl
October 22; Registration begins at 8pm
Ohio City
Get ready for the most fun you’ll ever have being dead! All Zombies and party goers will enjoy great drink specials, raffles and prizes, zombie makeup art and a “Best Costume” award. And the best part? You get to do it dressed as Zombies!
Halloween Bash
October 29
Wonder Bar
Enjoy a costume contest, trick or treat shot specials and live music from Pants on Fire 9-11pm at Wonder Bar’s annual Halloween bash.
Hallowine Party
October 29; 12-8pm
Debonne Vineyards
Halloween will reach full-spooking potential October 29 at Debonné Vineyards’ annual Hallowine Party. Enjoy live entertainment, Ohio wines and a costume contest.
Bones, Bugs and Dead Animals
October 29; 8pm-Midnight
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Join the Nature League for this annual bash. The event boasts one of the best costume contests in Cleveland and features live music from Abby Normal, food and dessert buffets and a $3 bar. Admission includes one free drink ticket. Prizes will be awarded to the best costumes in the categories of Best of Show, Best Ensemble, Scariest and People’s Choice.
Dark Spirits Halloween Party
October 29; 8pm-Midnight
The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake
A spooky night of ghoulish entertainment, disgustingly delicious dinner special, dark spirits drink specials, a costume contest with prizes at 10pm and more!
Saturday Night Fever
October 29
Sportsterz Bar & Grill at Geneva-on-the-Lake
Dig out your best 70′s costume for a “Saturday Night Fever” themed Halloween Bash! Don’t worry, if you can’t squeeze into the bell-bottoms anymore, you can dress any way you wish! Cash and prizes for best costumes will be awarded. Music will be provided by ALB.
Halloween Party
October 29
Grand River Cellars
Put on your best costume for an evening of ghouls and goblins, ghosts and witches. The winery will be decorated for this festive evening and live music will be keeping you moving all night. Costume contest prizes will be awarded for the best overall costume, first and second place winner for best dressed group and first and second place winner for best dressed individual. Reservations are highly recommended.
– Submitted by Corinne Allie, Social Networking Specialist
