Does the crisp fall air have your spooky senses tingling? If so, you’re in luck as the Creston News Advertiser reading area is full of spooky season fun for all ages.
The Halloween entertainment kicks off Friday, Oct. 25, with several haunts open in the area.
Nightmare on Madison Street - 7:30-10 p.m. Oct 25-26 and Nov. 1-2
The historic Timby Building, located at 103 Madison St. in Mount Ayr, has been the center of multiple ghost hunts and unexplained events, making it the opportune place to hold a haunted house. The event is on the second floor and is $10 per person to attend. Everyone under 18 must have a waiver signed by an adult prior to entry.
Back Street Ali Escape - 6-9:30 p.m. Oct 25 and 26; 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 31
The Paisley Rose Boutique, 224 N. Pine St. in Creston, will open its haunted house, “Back Street Ali Escape Haunted House #2.″ This haunted house is suitable for all ages but if you’re under 14 you must come with an adult. Small groups of 3-4 people are permitted. Get in for $10 per person, cash only.
Maybe haunted houses and screaming your lungs out isn’t for you. That’s OK! There is plenty to do locally that doesn’t require being scared senseless or even a little.
On Oct. 26, the Creston Arts Center, 411 W. Adams St., will host Paint Along with Melissa! This Halloween-themed painting session begins at 5:30 p.m. and will guide you in painting a spooky spirit. Cost is $25 per person, but scholarships are available by contacting the arts center. All ages are welcome. Register at crestonarts.org.
Remember to have kid’s put on costumes and stop by the Creston Hy-Vee trick or treat event from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 26, for spooky family fun and activities.
Also on Oct. 26, Creston Walmart will hold a Kid’s Halloween Carnival from 1-3 p.m. Let the kids dress up in costumes and take them to the store to get in on the fun. Kids can play games and enjoy popcorn and cotton candy. A green screen will be set up for pictures.
From 2-4 p.m. head to the Eagles Club, 300 E. Montgomery St. in Creston, for fun with the kids. The Creston Eagle Riders will present “Haunted Halloween.” Games, sensory stations, candy, prizes and more will be included at this free event.
The Cromwell Park will be the location for the Harvest Fest Halloween Block Party and Trunk or Treat. The events starts at 2 p.m. with the trunk or treat, which will run the entire time. Hot dogs, chips and water will be available at 2 p.m. until they run out. At 2:15 p.m. the Spotlight School of Dance will perform; at 2:45 p.m. is the Skeleton Limbo and Mummy Race and 3:15 p.m is the start of the Spooktacular Costume Parade and Costume Contest.
The annual Creston Animal Rescue Effort fundraiser, Bright Eyes at the Park, will be from 4-5:30 p.m. at the south end of McKinley Park. Local businesses set up and decorate tables and hand out candy. The event is $5 per child and treat bags are provided.
Bridgewater will kick off Halloween with its annual Halloween party at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Bridgewater Activity Center. Hot dogs, BBQ pork sandwich, chips, cookies and a drink will be served. A costume party begins at 5:30 p.m. with activities to follow.
If you’ve had your fair share of candy and want to take a hike, from 2-3:30 p.m. Oct. 26, a Halloween Hound Hike is being hosted by Ringgold County- Iowa State University at Liberty Lake.
Finding the perfect pumpkins can be an all day family affair, complete with hot chocolate and fall fun by visiting a local pumpkin patch.
The Lenox Twisted Stalk Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, located at 303 W. Dallas St. in Lenox, is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sundays. There you will find a corn maze and a pumpkin filled good time, with lots of entertainment, games, concessions and a bounce house. Check them out on Facebook for more information.
Osceola is home to the Harvest Barn, located at 2721 Hwy. 34. The Harvest Barn Fun Farm is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 3. This fall be sure to visit one of southern Iowa’s favorite fall destination and marketplace. The Fun Farm offers tons of things to do including a kiddie corn maze, corn pool, barnyard and farm animals, trike town, glow golf, a farmer obstacle course, family dodgeball, a giant hay caterpillar, panning for gold, human fooseball and a giant jump pad. They also offer wagon rides on Saturday and Sunday each week.
What would Halloween be without trick-or-treating?
The community of Mount Ayr has designated Oct. 27 as their official trick or treat date.
Orient will have trick-or-treating 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29. Orient United Methodist Church will hold a trunk or treat event in their parking lot.
Trick-or-treating in Creston is from 5-7:30 p.m., Oct. 31. Make sure to check out Barkalow’s Halloween Extravaganza from 5-9 p.m. It’s a maze of blow-ups and lights at 1007 N. Chestnut St. Don’t forget the trunk or treat hosted by Crest Baptist Church, 1211 N. Poplar St., it runs from 5-7 p.m.
From 5:30-7:30 p.m, in addition to door to door trick-or-treating on Oct. 31, the Lorimor Lions Club is hosting a Trunk or Treat on Main Street. If you would like in on the fun, find a spot on Main and decorate your trunk to join.
Trick-or-treating in Bridgewater is 5-7 p.m. Halloween night.
Afton trick or treaters will be out from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Halloween.
Diagonal welcomes trick or treaters from 5-8 p.m. Goob’s Repair, 320 Broadway St. in Diagonal, is having a trunk or treat at 5 p.m., If you want to join, decorate your trunk and join others handing out candy.
Fontanelle will hold trick-or-treating 5-7 p.m. Halloween night. The Fontanelle Lions Club will be serving a hot dog meal at the fire station during this time.
In Greenfield, Greenfield Chamber Main Street will hold its annual Spook the Loop event 4:30-6 p.m. Oct. 31, on the public square. Trick-or-treating will be 5-8 p.m. around town. The Greenfield Public Library and Greenfield Firemates are teaming up for a Halloween Party at the library. Experience games, stories, prizes and more, plus a hot dog supper to go from the firemates, served in the city hall meeting room. The party will run from 4:30-6:30 p.m. with meals served from 5-6:30 p.m.
In Adair, face painting will be offered for trick or treaters 3-6 p.m. Oct. 31, at the Adair Community Center. A meal will be served 5-7 p.m. including cinnamon rolls, chili, hot dogs, chips, cookies and hot chocolate for a free will donation.
These events and activities are those the Creston News Advertiser has been made aware of - there’s a good chance there’s others around the community, so check them out if you haven’t overloaded on sugar by now!
As always, make sure you are safe no matter what you choose to do for Halloween. Drivers, remember kids will be all over and focused on the next house for candy, so drive slow and keep your eyes open. Adults and kids, be respectful of other people and their property. Only trick-or-treat during the designated times and dates and only knock on doors of homes that have their outdoor lights on to signify they are participating.
Happy Halloween!