The weekend
Halloween falls in the middle of the week this year. Rather than getting ready and festive on a school night, families can bring their little ones to the many attractions slated for the weekend before one the most fun holidays of the year.
Edmond’s Arcadia Lake gets started early on its Storybook Forest, which opens 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, through Oct. 30. Characters and scenes from classic and favorite children’s stories come to life. There will also be hayrides, games, campfires and treats (www.edmondok.com). Out at Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District, take the family to Haunt the River, Saturday, Oct. 26-Sunday, Oct. 27. Riversport Adventures turns creepy just for the occasion (www.oklahomariverevents.org) with pumpkin’ chunkin’ from the Zombie Zip, the Boo Zone, Candy Corn Climb and more with adventure passes ($35 for adults and $25 for youth).
The zoo is where it’s at for Halloween tricks and fun. Oklahoma City Zoo brings back Haunt the Zoo for Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 26-Oct. 31 (www.okczoo.com) with plenty of goodies, themed booths and more for the kiddies. HallowZOOeen is also back at Tulsa Zoo, Sunday, Oct. 27-Oct. 31, with carnival-style games, grab treats and a cool place to get all dressed up in costumes (www.tulsazoo.org).
Want more in Tulsa? Try Brookside’s annual BooHaHa festival (www.brooksidetheplacetobe.com) along South Peoria Avenue between 33rd and 41st streets. Trick-or-treat among the merchants beginning at 11 a.m. and stay for the costume contests (kids and pets) as well as the parade on Sunday, Oct. 27. Why have only one Halloween fair in town when you can have two simultaneously? Downtown Tulsa has Ghouls on the Green at the Guthrie Green (www.guthriegreen.com) from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, with a special Halloween market, costume contests, art and crafts for families and trick-or-treating. Ever wanted to take a hayride through town? Here’s your chance!
Oklahoma City celebrates the late afternoon with the Magic Lantern Celebration, 3-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, in the Paseo Arts District (www.thepaseo.com). Children can create their costumes, and when the sun goes down, everyone transforms. Live music and a parade with street performers and dancers are the highlight for this favorite harvest-themed event. If Halloween isn’t quite your mode, Tulsa has the Fall Carnival at Hunter Park (www.lobc.net) from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, while the Shepherd’s Pumpkin Festival continues through Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Claremore’s Shepherd’s Cross with pumpkin carving, a hay maze, scarecrow making, petting zoo, hay rides and farm exhibits (www.shepherdscross.com).
