Halloween, fall fun around W. Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - There are many options around West Michigan to get spooked at a haunted house, or enjoy a hay ride or other fall season activities with family and friends. The following list is courtesy www.grnow.com --

Haunted Houses

Grand Rapids Area

The Haunt - One of West Michigan's best-known haunted attractions is back for its 12th year with five terrifying attractions: The Haunt, The Darkmaze: Reborn, After Midnight, Terror Town 3D and Monster Paintball. Shiver and scream through 25,000 sq ft of professionally designed rooms and scenes that contain dozens of creepy creatures. The Haunt Dancers are also back. Opens September 28; tickets are $15+ with online discounts, combos and speed passes available.

Nights of Fear - Now in its second year at the 80,000 sq ft location next to Big Lots at Plainfield and 4 Mile Rd, Nights of Fear offers three main haunted houses: Carnival of Souls, Brainfield Sanitarium and Castle Greyskull. 'Buried Alive', the horror-themed photo op is also back for 2012. Opens October 5; general admission is $15, with combo passes set at $20. Credit cards accepted.

Forest of Fear - Beginning October 5, take the self-guided tour through five chilling acres of woods and swamps inhabited by ghouls, ghosts and other terrifying creatures. Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for kids with funds raised going to support the Kentwood Jaycees.

Witch's Walk - Starting September 29, walk this haunted corn maze near 6 Mile Rd & Fruit Ridge NW, if you dare! The backstory: when clearing a field to plant corn, a farmer came across an old cemetery and accidentally disturbed some unmarked graves. Since then, strange sounds have been coming from the field and former graveyard. The Witch's Walk is a half mile of twists and turns over this disturbed burial ground. Ticket prices are $10 for evenings, $5 during the day. Online coupons are available.

Witches of New Salem - Enter the Witch's Woods in Dorr (south of Grand Rapids) for two Halloween attractions. Grab a flashlight and navigate the twists turns of the corn maze, while avoiding the gruesome Corn Stalkers. If you dare, enter the woods where the witches, ghouls and mentally twisted have a special night in store. Admission is $15 for each haunt or $25 for both. Opens September 28.

Moonlight Manor Haunt - The Halloween yard haunt in Wyoming presents "Horrortorium" for the 2012 season. Walk the maze and meet up with all the monsters of your childhood October 30 and 31. Admission is $5.

Outside the Grand Rapids Area

Carlson's Crypt Haunted Trail - Located in Belding (about 20 miles from downtown Grand Rapids), Carlson's Crypt offers both a haunted trail and The Night Maze on Friday and Saturday nights in October. Admission is $13 for the haunted trail and $15 for combo tickets. A daytime corn maze is open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Psycho Ward & Nightmares - The Haunt Park at the Kalamazoo Speedway features two attractions for $15: Psycho Ward and Nightmares. Inside the Pyscho Ward, the Floyd Cranston clan is back to put a disturbing twist on Fred's body dismemberment and bloodletting. The Nightmares haunt takes fears to a shocking new level, forcing you to confront your darkest dreams.

Crane Orchard Haunted Corn Maze - The 15-acre corn maze in Fennville features an all-new design for 2012. Expect major screams and goosebumps during the 30-40 minute haunted journey that also includes the 3D special effects barn. Tickets are $14 for both. Not recommended for kids 12 and under.

Wicked Ranch - The Double JJ Resort's haunt in Rothbuy takes horror to a whole new level with Nightmare at the Bunkhouse, the Town of Terror and a mile-long hayride through the Wicked Woods. The scream pass for all three attractions is $25 per person, and skip-the-line passes are also available.

Hayrides & Cornmazes

Robinette's Hayrides & Cornmaze - Belgian draft horses take visitors on an authentic hay wagon through Robinette's apple and fruit orchards on Saturdays (10a-5p) and Sundays (12p-5p) during October. Hayride admission is $6 for adults and $4 for kids under 12. The corn maze returns for a second year and is open daily. Entry to the maze is $6 per person. Combo tickets are available. The new jumping pillow also returns.

Klackle Orchards - Klackle Orchards once again hosts Fall Family Fun Days beginning in mid-September. The $9 admission includes wagon hayrides, the enchanted pumpkin ride, entry to the petting zoo, access to the coaster slide area and more. Pony, elephant and camel rides are also available, as are u-pick apples and pumpkins.

Post Family Farm - The Farm Festivals in Hudsonville are held on each Saturday (mid-September through Halloween) and feature hayrides, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin train rides, farm animals, corn maze, crafts games and more. Admission is $6.

Fruit Ridge Harvest Festival - It's good old fashioned fun at the 125-year old Fruit Ridge Farm in Kent City. In September and October, huge draft horses pull visitors

through a woods, pumpkin patch and orchard. Back at the barn enjoy apple cider, homemade doughnuts, petting zoo, children's play area, corn maze and more. Hayrides and the corn maze are $6 each per person and can be combined for $10.

Hayrides at Koetsier's - The greenhouse on Spaulding Ave SE in Grand Rapids features hayrides on Fridays and Saturdays in October. Inside, buildings are transformed into a fall family fun play area geared for kids 10 and under with inflatables, games, pumpkin painting and a maze. Groups are welcome.

Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides at Moelker - Horse-drawn, scavenger hunt hayrides take place each Saturday in October from noon until 5 p.m. at the orchard located just west of Wilson Ave and Millenium Park in Grand Rapids. Moelker also has special kids activities, pumpkin decorating and more.

Wells Orchards Corn Maze - The working family farm on Kenowa Ave SW along the Grand River features a corn maze, plus a pumpkin patch, apples, peaches, painted pumpkins and a farm market. Hayrides are on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of October.

Heidi's Farmstand & Bakery - In Lowell, the farmstand and bakery has a pumpkin patch, corn maze, pumpkin patch and more Mondays through Saturdays in October. Closed Sundays.

Hayrides at Bethke - At Bethke Farms in Grand Haven, the 20-minute hayrides take visitors through spooky and fun scenes and past the corn maze. U-pick pumpkins also available. Open weekday evenings and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays.

Halloween Parties

Harvest & Halloween - Join other young professionals from The Connection at Frederik Meijer Gardens October 24 for an evening of food, wine, Michigan beer, fall activities, tram tours and more. Admission is free for members of The Connection, $20 for non-members.

Halloween Party 2012 - Club Envy in downtown Muskegon will have a costume contest October 25 that will award prizes to best girl and guy costumes. Ages 18+ welcome.

October 26

3rd Annual Halloween Costume Party - The Grand Rapids Sport & Social Club presents the third annual party at Cantina Mexican Grill on East Paris. DJ Phantom will spin scary mixes and prizes will be awarded for best costumes.

F�te D�ment - The 'Killer Party' at the CityFlats Ballroom hosted by the design professionals of AIGA West Michigan will have monsters of industry, spooky speakers, live DJs and dancing.

The Halloween Harvest - Local band The Crane Wives headline the Halloween party at 920 Watermark in Muskegon. The event will have a costume contest, food, beverages, live music and more. Ages 18+ welcome.

October 27

The B.O.B.'s Annual Halloween Bash - Details to be announced.

Founders Annual Spooktacular Halloween Party - Starting at 9:30 p.m., enjoy live music from Black Jake and the Carnies and Oracle. $5 cover; ages 21+ welcome.

Haunted Hall Bash 7 - Making the move from Casnovia to Wyoming, 'The Carnival of Fear' is this year's theme for the Haunted Hall Bash. DJ Irene will headline a night of music, clowns, carnival games, an oxygen bar, a Freak Show and much more. Tickets are $30 in advance and $50 at the door, and include access to the open bar.

Harvest of Souls - Returning for a 5th year to The Orbit Room, the party will have a costume contest, performances by Miss Pussykatt & The Daredevil Circus, aerial acrobatics, live music and more. Tickets: $10 in advance.

Just Wicked Halloween Party - The JW Marriott's annual Halloween costume party returns to the International Ballroom with a live DJ, cash prizes for best costumes and no cover charge. 21+.

A Coldville Halloween - Local rockers Coldville host the costume party at Flanagan's beginning at 9 p.m.

Halloween Costume Party - The costume party at Mosaic Space on South Division to benefit kids in West Michigan with Spina Bifida. The $50 ticket includes food, drink tickets, raffle prizes, DJ and dancing, a costume contest and more.

Flo's 2nd Annual Halloween Party - Florentine's on Post Dr in Belmont will host a costume contest, plus have $1 Jello shots and a live DJ.

Trilogy Halloween Party - Local band Trilogy hosts the party at the Grattan Irish Pub on Old Belding Road. $100 will go to the best costume, plus there will be giveaways and party favors through the night.

The Holland Halloween Massacre Party - The party at The Unscene Bistro & Gallery on 16th Street will have live DJs, giveaways, costume contest, raffles and more. Ladies 18+ and guys 21+ welcome; tickets $10 in advance.

Hippie Mafia Monster Mash - The fifth annual Halloween bash at the Park Theatre will include bands from the local music scene plus headlining act Back Forty. Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

Halloween Party 2012 - Club Envy in downtown Muskegon is party of the 101.7 Pub Crawl and the bar will have trophies and prizes for best costumes. Ages 18+ welcome.

Wicked Masquerade Ball - The Double JJ Resort in Rothbury hosts the night of costumes, food, drinks, dancing and karaoke. Individual tickets are $20 in

advance.

October 31

Forever in Fear - The Intersection's Halloween bash and costume party will feature live music from Sin Theorem, Genocya, Tru-Burn and more. Admission: $5; ages 18+ welcome.

Night of Illusions: Halloween Style - The Halloween drag show at San Chez Bistro is a night of illusions, where every beautiful woman is a man. Tickets are $59 and include beverages, tapas, entertainment and a costume contest.

Gipper's Halloween Party - The bar/restaurant on Kraft near 28th Street will have a costume contest with a cash prize, t-shirts, giveaways, Bicardi promotions and more.

November 3

Halloween Black Light Party - Candlestone Golf & Resort in Belding hosts a night to dress up, dance, and glow under black light. No cover charge.

Cider Mills, Apple Picking & Pumpkins

*Please note that most farms lost their apple crops this year due to a spring freeze*

Blok Orchard - The family-owned orchard on 4 Mile NE in Ada has 45 acres of apples, along with vegetable offerings.

Ed Dunneback & Girls - Located just 10 minutes from downtown GR on 6 Mile Rd NW, the farm market has been family owned and operated for more than 70 years and has u-pick apples and pumpkins from 11a-4p on Saturdays and noon-4p on Sundays.

Fruit Ridge Hayrides - The Kent City farm has apples, pumpkins, hayrides, kids activities and more.

Gavin Orchards - The Coopersville farm offers pumpkins, seasonal vegetables and apples until October 31.

Hanulcik Farm Market - The family farm market in Ionia grows and sells twelve variaties of apples, along with strawberries and peaches earlier in the season. *Hanulcik will be closed this fall due to the lost apple crop caused by unusual spring weather*.

Heffron Farms - The family farm in Belding has free hayrides and balloons, along with baby calves, chicks and livestock.

Heritage Farms Market - Located near Fremont and Hesperia, the local farm market has home-grown pumpkins and produce, donuts, caramel apples, fudge and maple syrup.

Klackle Orchards - Pumpkins, u-pick apples, hayrides, family activities, cider, caramel apples and more in Greenville.

Klein Cider Mill - Located on Spaulding SE in GR, enjoy cider, donuts, an indoor kids play area, pumpkins, mums and more.

Koetsier�s Greenhouse - Watch cider made the old-fashioned way and pick your own pumpkin out of the patch at the farm located on 10 Mile in Sparta.

Morse Brothers Farm - The Comstock Park Farm on 6 Mile NW has pumpkins each fall.

Paulson's Pumpkin Patch - The Belding-area farm sells pumpkins, squash and indian corn 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Post Family Farm - In Hudsonville, check out homemade donuts, cider, u-pick pumpkins, a corn maze, squash and gourds.

Robinette's Apple Haus - Located at the E. Beltline & 4 Mile, Robinette's has cider, donuts, u-pick apples, horse-drawn hayrides, gifts, a winery, kids activities and more.

Schwallier's Country Basket - The farm market on 9 Mile Rd in Sparta has u-pick pumpkins and apples, as well as a petting farm, picnic area, fresh cider, cow train rides and an observable working bee hive.

Sietsma Orchards - The family cider mill and farm on 2 Mile Rd in Ada has donuts, hard cider, free hayrides and u-pick apples (although no u-pick for 2012).

Steffens Orchards - Pick your own apples and pumpkins or build a scarecrow at the Scarecrow Factory at this orchard located on 13 Mile in Sparta. Open Monday-Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 12-6.

Watts Orchard - Apples and caramel apples in Howard City.

Wells Orchards - The farm on Kenowa SW in Grand Rapids has apples, hayrides, fall decorations, winter squash and more.

Kent Harvest Trails - The trails program highlights 19 participating farms in Kent County which offer local families the chance to visit farms for orchard tours, face painting, pumpkin picking, scarecrow stuffing and many more autumn activities with no general admission charge. Many farms do have fees for specific activities. The website includes a map with all participating locations.

Michigan Apple Orchards - Central West Michigan Route

Festivals & Family Activities

Chrysanthemums and More! - Formerly known at 'Colorfall', this annual celebration of the autumn season at Frederik Meijer Gardens features an extensive flowering chrysanthemum display both inside and outside. Color tours, tram rides and seasonal children's activities are available throughout October. Tickets ($12 for adults, $4-$6 for kids) include access to all of The Gardens, including the curated ArtPrize exhibit.

Yee-Haw for Fall - Enjoy fall activities, pony rides, a zipline, midway games, stagecoach rides and more at the Double JJ Resort on Saturdays and Sundays through October. $10 for adults, $5 for kids.

Pumpkin Train - See The Great Pumpkin, Scarecrow and Little Crow on the Coopersville & Marne Railway. Local actress Eva Swietec and her cast of wacky characters will sing and dance during the approximately 1 hour, 15 minute ride and each child can pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch after the train

returns to downtown Coopersville. Runs Saturdays and Sundays through October 30. Tickets: adults $14.50, seniors (60+) $13.50, kids (2-12) $11.50.

Scarecrows on Main Street - Visit Coopersville during the month of October to see imaginatively decorated scarecrows lining Main Street in the historic downtown and then vote for your favorite at the Farm Museum.

Zeeland Pumpkinfest - The three-day family festival in downtown Zeeland returns October 4, 5 & 6 with a parade, food, scarecrow display, games, family entertainment, artwork and more. Free admission.

Rockford Harvest Festival - For two weekends, October 6-7 & 13-14, celebrate fall in downtown Rockford with scarecrow making, live entertainment, face painting, hayrides and many more family-friendly activities.

Enchanted Forest Festival - Vist Fat Blossom Farm in Allegan for a magical weekend exploring trails while touring custom gnome homes, hobbit habitats, and fairy houses. You can even make your own. Cost is $5 per person.

Halloween Palooza - On October 6, families can enjoy costume shopping, games, cookies, cider, free spider rings and more from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at all Goodwill stores around the Grand Rapids area.

Grand Haven Historical Ghost Tour - Take an evening stroll through downtown Grand Haven October 11 and learn about the history of the historic parts of the city while enjoying a little ghostly fun and surprises along the way. Cost is $5 per person.

Wyoming Pumpkin Path - At the 9th Annual Pumpkin Path at Lamar Park in Wyoming, kids can collect prizes, candy and toys from dozens of Wyoming-area businesses, clubs and organizations on October 13. Costumes are optional. Free admission.

Lowell Harvest Festival - The annual fall celebration in downtown Lowell on October 13 features a chili cook-off, scarecrow building, arts, crafts, family activities and more. Free admission.

White Lake Pumpkinfest - The Downing Street Hill in downtown Montague is the site of the annual Pumpkin Roll taking place October 13. Other events include pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, a pumpkin pie contest, a youth art fair and a harvest fest. Free admission.

Monster Mash - At the members-only event at John Ball Zoo, it's The Zoo Goes Boo on steroids with live music, giant inflatable monsters, premier treats on the trick-or-treat trail, crafts and more.

The Zoo Goes Boo - The family Halloween event where kids can dress up an trick-or-treat returns to John Ball Zoo October 19, 20, 26, 27 & 28. New for 2012 is a Scarecrow Safari Contest. Admission: $7 per person.

Blandford Nature Center Fall Harvest Festival - The annual festival filled with pioneer-like activities like candle making returns October 20. Families can also enjoy live music and paint pumpkins. Admission is $5, kids 3 and under are free.

Kids Cooking Class: Harry Potter - At the Spartan Culinary Classroom, kids and adults will have the opportunity to prepare some classic Harry Potter recipes including: Hogwart's favorite "Pumpkin Juice", Mrs Weasley's Rock cakes, Butterbeer, Pumpkin Pasties and many more delicious delights.

Fall Festival Fundraiser and Craft Show - On October 20, the YMCA's Camp Manitou-Lin will host the family event that will have trick-or-treating, a petting farm, and crafts, along with ticketed activities like rock climbing and hayrides.

Giant Pumpkins at Michigan's Farm Garden - Discover giant pumpkins weighing in at hundreds of pounds at Frederik Meijer Gardens' Michigan's Farm Garden October 21. Included with general Gardens admission.

Aldersgate Halloween Party - Show off your Halloween costume early while enjoying games and treats at Aldersgate United Methodist Church October 24.

Ionia Autumn Celebration - The annual event attracts nearly 6,000 people to Main Street in Ionia with the Chili-Dawg Challenge, the chili-dog eating contest, the Meijer Costume Contest and trick-or-treating.

Ghosthunting Michigan - Ghosthunter Helen Pattskyn visits the Main Branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library to discuss ghosts, ghost hunting, and Michigan's haunted history. Free and open to the public.

Hallowee-ones - The annual event at Meijer Gardens October 26 is designed for the youngest visitors. Dress your child as a sculpture, tree, flower, insect or any other way that highlights something from the Children's Garden. Kids can join in the costume parade and listen to Halloween stories.

Run 4 Your Life 5K Fun Run - The un-timed 5K run/walk in Holland October 26 is a fundraising event to support the Holland Free Health Clinic. The Curragh Pub is the beginning and end point of the course which will wind through the spooky Windmill Island.

Harvest Party at KDL - Kent District Library's Kentwood branch will have autumn crafts, pumpkin decorating, games, and plenty of bountiful fun for all ages at 2 p.m. on Oct. 27.

Alger Heights Halloween 5K - On October 27 at 9 a.m., run through the rolling hills of the Alger Heights neighborhood in costume for this professionally timed race.