photo credit: wheatfieldbrown
Thanks to Cynthia Lujan over at LandAmerica Title for putting this list of Halloween fun together and sending it my way.
The Great Pumpkin Festival (PHOENIX)
Find that perfectly plump pumpkin at the Great Pumpkin Festival. The Desert Botanical Garden invites you and your kids to take a hayride out to the patch, and children younger than 12 can choose their own free pumpkin. Then wander through the Amazing Hay Bale Maze, get up close to the animals at the petting zoo and enjoy some live country-western music. There will also be carving demonstrations and face painting.
Details: Oct. 24-26, 9 a.m.-noon Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. $12; $6 for age 3-12; $2 for members age 3 and older. 480-941-1225.
Basha’s Boo at the Zoo (PHOENIX)
This Phoenix Zoo favorite is chock-full of ghoulish activities. This year’s theme is “It’s Toad-ally Awesome!,” so your kids can learn about amphibians and how to help them and their environment. Activities include a pumpkin patch, a special Halloween Wild About Animals show, performances by Mrs. B, the Pumpkin Romp and Stomp and a mascot and pony parade.
Details: Oct. 25-26, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway. Included with zoo admission. 602-273-1341, www.phxzoo.org.
Doomtown (GILA RIVER)
Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass: Features Halloween-themed decorations, including spider webs and jack-o’-lanterns. Watch out for the Headless Horseman, Ghost Riders, Digger Payne, Dr. Mortimer Morbius and other spooky characters. Travel through the haunted houses, the Crypt and the Asylum, and ride the Train of Terror.
Details: Through Nov. 2, 6 p.m. Free Admission; Charges apply for haunted houses. 5700 W. North Loop Road, Gila River Reservation. 480-502-5600. www.rawhide.com
Peek-a-Boo at Pecos Park (PHOENIX)
This one’s for the pet lovers. The annual Peek-a-Boo event at Pecos Park encourages owners and their dogs to get dressed up and compete in a costume contest. There will also be a pumpkin patch and carnival games, and plenty of opportunities for Fido to socialize with other canines.
Details: 10 a.m. Nov. 1. Pecos Park, 17010 S. 48th St., Phoenix. Free. 602-534-5252.
Halloween Monster Bash and Balloon Illumination (PEORIA)
Celebrate Halloween and show off your costume under the glow of hot-air balloons.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Oct. 25. Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Ave. Free admission with canned food donation, additional cost for some activities. 623-773-7564
Fall Festival (SCOTTSDALE)
The haunts can be pretty scary for younger kids so if you want to take them to something festive but safe, check out the Fall Festival. There a Haunted Forest that you can walk through with your kids. Then head over to the more than 40 game booths and try to win some prizes. There is a special area for toddlers and attractions with higher skill levels for kids 14 and older. And try to win even more goodies during the costume and pumpkin-carving competitions. The evening ends with a big fireworks show.
Details: 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Eldorado Park, South Ball Field, 1909 N. Miller Road. Free. 480-312-2483, www.scottsdaleaz.gov.
Pumpkin & Chili Party (QUEEN CREEK)
Schnepf Farms offers a new spooky train ride with a 17-foot-tall Animatronic Pumpkin King that talks and moves to scare riders. The party offers attractions and activities for the family, including pig races, carousel, bands, petting barn, hayrides, corn maze and fireworks.
Details: Thursdays-Sundays, Oct. 2-Nov. 2. Schnepf Farms, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. $14. ($2 off coupons available at Fry’s and Fry’s Marketplace; age 2 and younger free. 480-987-3100, www.schnepffarms.com.
Arizona Scream Park (SCOTTSDALE)
Four haunted attractions: Alice’s House of Nightmares, 3-D Fear Factory, Castle of Darkness and Goldminer’s Revenge. Also includes palm and tarot-card readings. Details: Through Nov. 2, times vary. $16-$75. 8823 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale. 480-444-2590. www.azscreampark.com
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