October 2011

The skies are heavy with ominous clouds...biting cold air envelops our bodies...and the trees are ablaze with color. It's late October--time for pumpkins, ghouls, and witches to come out and scare innocent souls, in search for a treat. Of course, we're talking about Halloween, that most frightening time of year. West Michigan is not only beautiful in October, but there are plenty of events going on to satisfy the timid...and those that dare to be scared!

LOCAL CORN MAZES & PUMPKIN PATCHES

Lewis Farm Market, 4180 W. M-20, New Era. (231) 861-5730. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sundays 10am-5pm, extended hours in October.
$12 armband weekend special: includes eight acre corn maze, (this year's design is a race car theme, featuring Furniture Row Racing #78), The Apple Express, Barrel Train, Pumpkin Moon Walk, jumping pillow, and pedal carts. U-pick apples and pumpkins for additional charge.

Major Produce & Pumpkin Patch, 9476 N. 120th Ave., Hart. (231) 873-5281. Open Oct. 8 & 9, 15 & 16, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.
Offering Hay Rides ($4.50), Haunted Hall ($2.50), Game Bundle ($4, good for six games), plus pumpkin carving and painting. Also good food available, including sloppy joes, beefy nachos, hot dogs, brats, caramel apples, pumpkin & apple pie squares, popcorn, and beverages.

2011 SPOOKY AREA EVENTS

Just Imagine Scarecrow Contest, Sept. 22, 4pm. Mason County District Library, Ludington. Young artists are invited to help build the new children's room by creating a scarecrow. All supplies and materials for scarecrows will be provided by the library. Completed scarecrows will be displayed at the Ludington Library thru October.

Community Scarecrow Contest, Register by Oct. 3, Ludington. Area residents and businesses are invited to decorate scarecrows and have them on display. Judging takes place Oct. 14, and winners will be announced Oct. 17. Prizes will be given for both a residential and commercial division. The Scarecrow Contest is being sponsored by the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Ludington Daily News.

Scarecrow Harvest, Oct. 1-31, 9am-9pm, Bear Lake. Come see a creative collection of scarecrows displayed throughout town.

Battle of the Bands, Oct. 1, 4pm-7:30pm, Little River Casino, Manistee. Local bands compete and your applause determines the winner. Benefits the Manistee Area Shop with a Cop program. Tickets $10.

Fall Family Fun Fest, Oct. 1, 4pm-7pm, Brethren Heritage Museum. Featuring Native American crafts, music, pumpkin painting, corn husk doll making and stew.

Manistee's Ghost Ship on the S.S. City of Milwaukee historic carferry, October-Fridays & Saturdays, (Oct. 7-29) from 7:30pm-10:30pm; open til 11pm Oct. 28 & 29. Every October, this 81-year old ship is the venue for a thrilling and scary adventure. Travel through five decks and 72 stairs, some quite steep. Supervised child waiting area. Not for children under eight. Adults $8, children and seniors $6. For more information, visit www.carferry.com or call (231) 723-3587. Located at 99 Arthur Street (US 31).

Onekama Fall Festival, Oct. 8, 10am-4pm, Onekama Village Park. Craft and food vendors, inflatable castle, pony and miniature train rides, and face painting.

Autumn's Glory Day, Oct. 8, 10am-6:30pm, Bear Lake. Events include Quilt & Fine Art show at Bear Lake School, food, live music, pumpkin chuck contest, quilt raffle, cider press, children's activities and more.

Haunted Library Tour, Oct. 17, 5pm-7:30pm, Manistee County Library. Drop by for a terrifying tour of the top floor. Free.

Little Shop of Horrors, Oct. 20-22 (7:30pm), Oct. 22 & 23 (2pm), Manistee High School Auditorium. ADults $10, students/seniors $7.00.

Boos, Brews & Brats, Oct. 22, will be held from 3pm-11pm in downtown Manistee. Trick or treating, kids' carnival, beer tent, food, costume contest and live music.

Kids' Halloween Party, Oct. 24, 6:30pm, Manistee County Library. Halloween stories, games, crafts, prizes, refreshments and a costume contest.

Haunted Fairgrounds, Oct. 28 & 29, 6:30pm-10pm. Mason County Fairgrounds, Ludington. Rides will last between 20-30 minutes.

Family Spooktacular, Oct. 28 (7:30pm) & Oct. 29 (10am-4pm), Ramsdell Theater, Manistee. Evening shows feature hypnotist Rick Wheeler, magician Gene Anderson & Salt City Dixie Jazz Band on Friday.

Hallow-Scream Party, Oct. 29, 8pm-11:30pm at the Eagle's Club, 55 Division Street, Manistee. Country style band band starting at 8pm, games at 9:15pm, and costume contest at 10:30pm.

Spooktacular Weekend, Oct. 28-31, Pentwater. Friday features a Gallery stroll, Saturday activities include downtown trick or treating from noon-6pm, costume contest, face painting, pub crawl, Halloween on the Green...and Spooktacular Parade at 4pm. Also, Pub Crawl at 6pm and community trick or treating from 5pm-8pm. Visit www.pentwater.org for more information.

Filer Charter Township Halloween Parade, Oct. 31, 5pm. Candy and treats after parade.

Trunk or Treat, Oct. 31, 6pm-7:30pm at the Norman Township Hall at 1273 S. Seaman Rd, south of M-55. Cars park and hand out candy. Also a costume parade, car decoration contest, and food. Presented by the Wellston Boosters.

COMMUNITY TRICK-OR-TREAT TIMES
Downtown Ludington-Oct. 29, 3pm-5pm.
Ludington-Oct. 31, 6pm-8pm.
Pentwater-Oct. 31, 5pm-8pm.
Hart-Oct. 31, 6pm-8pm.
Scottville-Oct. 31, 6pm-8pm.
Manistee-Oct. 31, 6pm-8pm.