A civilized tea, a zombie prom and a haunted hayride are among the ways to relish the Halloween spirit this year.
From pumpkin patches to haunting tales, there’s fun for the family, and there’s fun for just the grownups leading up to All Hallows’ Eve.
Homer Glen
Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm
When: to Nov. 1.
Address: 13341 W. 151st St.; 708-301-3276, www.pumpkinfarm.com/http://pumpkinfarm.com/.
Tickets: $9.99-$14.99. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. This Will County staple includes kid rides, hayrides, a haunted barn and fun barn, gemstone mining sluice, two corn boxes, pig races, petting zoo, pony rides, camel rides, corn maze, pumpkin launcher, Halloween shop, a playground and a 90-foot slide, pumpkin patch, Wayne the Pumpkin Carver, selfie booth and food. Pony rides, camel rides cost extra.
Konow’s Corn Maze
When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, to Oct. 31.
Address: 16849 S. Cedar Road; 708-301-8845; www.konowscornmaze.comhttp://Konowscornmaze.com.
Tickets: $9-$10. There are pumpkins, sure, but Konow’s is known for its 3.5-mile corn maze (and easier, kid-friendly maze); plus activities like a pedal tractor track, indoor play land, hayrides, animal barn, straw bale playground, corn pit, jumping pillow, cow train and evening bonfires. There will be live music from bands like Infinity, Hillbilly Rockstarz and Maggie Speaks.
Homewood
Haunted Hounds, 3 p.m. Oct. 18
Address: Rover’s Run Dog Park, 191st Street at Center Ave.; 708-957-0030, www.hfparks.com
Dogs know a little something about tricks and treats, so they get a Halloween celebration, too. Friendly canines are invited to come in costume (on leash) with their owners. Awards go to Best Dog and Owner Combo, Best Homemade Costume and prizes based on animal size. This special event does not require Rover’s Run membership.
Lockport
Hayride of Horror through Dellwood Park, 7 to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 9-30.
Address: Dellwood Park, Route 171 and Woods Drive; 815-838-1183, www.lockportpark.org/hayrideofhorror
A creepy half-hour ride through Dellwood Park with monsters and more popping out along the way. Horror film clips are shown on an outdoor movie screen for those awaiting their turn; concessions will be sold. Those who don’t want to be bothered up close can purchase a glowing skull necklace there to warn the ghouls to back off.
Tickets: $12 per person, $17 for fast passes.
Merrionette Park
Zombie Prom
When: Oct. 24, doors open at 8 p.m.
Address: 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St.; 708-388-8881, www.115bourbonstreet.com
Hairbangers Ball will perform at the nightclub’s third Zombie Ball. Prizes will be awarded to the winning zombie king and queen at this dance for the dead.
Tickets: $9 cover charge.
Oak Forest
Chicago Dark Shores Conference 2015, Oct. 2-4
Address: Gaelic Park, 6119 147th St.; 773-733-2711, www.chicagoghosts.com
Multiple events, including talks with Virginia Madsen, star of “Candyman” and “A Haunting in Connecticut;” psychics; an exorcist; paranormal investigators and more. A vendor expo, costume party, and optional tour of Archer Avenue round out the multiday event for paranormal enthusiasts.
Cost: $80 for three-day pass. See website for additional details and costs for associated events.
Orland Park
Dark in the Park, 7 to 11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, Oct 9-24
Address: 148 Ravinia; 708-675-7403, www.orlandparklionsclub.com
Enter the Haunted Woods, courtesy of the Orland Park Lions Club. Proceeds support the Lions Club mission.
Tickets: Admission is $12 or save by bringing non-perishable food donations. VIP pricing also available. Tickets available online or at the gate; none sold after 10 p.m. each night. Dark in the Park’s Trick-or-Treat Trail runs from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 24 for children 8 and younger. Admission is $3 per child.
Palos Park
Ladies’ Halloween Tea
When: 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 9
Address: The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway; 708-361-3650, www.thecenterpalos.org
Halloween-themed tea with humorous professional storyteller. Witch hats welcome.
Tickets: $30, reservations are required.
“The Haunting” Hayride
When: 6:30, 7:15 and 8 p.m. Oct. 23 and 24.
Address: The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway; 708-361-3650, www.thecenterpalos.org
Listen to a theatrical, creepy tale and then board a hayrack for an evening ride around the farm trails.
Tickets: $10 and must be purchased in advance.
The Children’s Farm at the Center
When: Sept. 26-Oct. 31.
Address: 12700 Southwest Highway; 708-361-3650, www.thecenterpalos.org/pumpkins.html.
Tickets: $8 for Pumpkin Play Land. Hours are noon-5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends plus Columbus Day. The pumpkin patch is open weekdays with pumpkins, gourds, mini pumpkins, straw bales, local honey and corn stalks. Pumpkin Play land is open on the weekends with hayrack rides, straw bale climber, a giant corn box, petting zoo, Crazy Maze-y and haunted wood shed.
Romeoville
Zombie make up effects lesson, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Oct. 11.
Address: White Oak Library, Romeoville Branch, 201 W. Normantown Road; 815-886-2030, www.whiteoaklibrary.org
Get ready for the big day with a lesson in creating realistic latex zombie wound effects. Materials provided, advance registration required online or by phone. For ages 13 and older; parents must sign waivers for children younger than 18.
Cost: Free.
Romeoville, Crest Hill, Lockport
White Oak Library District teams up with TnT Paranormal Investigators for three Thursday evening programs. Registration requested; walk-ins welcome. www.whiteoaklibrary.org.
Paranormal 105, 7 to 8 p.m., Oct. 8, Romeoville Branch, 201 W. Normantown Road, a virtual tour of reportedly haunted Illinois locations. 815-886-2030
Paranormal 101, 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 15, Crest Hill Branch, 20670 Len Kubinski Dr. 815-725-0234. A look at how paranormal investigators collect data into unexplained activity. 815-725-0234
Paranormal 104: Investigator for a Day. Learn about reportedly haunted locations throughout the United States, including a few local haunts. 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 22, Lockport Branch, 121 East Eighth St. 815-838-0755
Tinley Park
Haunted Halloween Happenings
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 24
Address: Bettenhausen Recreation Center, 8125 W. 171st St.; 708-342-4200, www.tinleyparkdistrict.org
Freaky fun family event geared toward children 12 and younger includes games, ghost stories, face painting, crafts, live creepy critters and a kiddie inflatable haunted house. Costumes optional.
Cost: Free.
Boo Bash
When: noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 25
Address: Oak Park Avenue Train Station, 6700 South St.; 708-444-5678, www.downtowntinley.com
Fun for kids includes “mad science,” raptor display, interactive bubble displays, stories, DJ, games and crafts, costume contest, trick-or-treating at local business booths, food and drinks for sale.
Cost: Free.
Odyssey Fun Farm
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
Address: 19112 S Oak Park Ave.; 708-429-3800; www.odysseyfunfarm.comhttp://Odysseyfunfarm.com.
Tickets: $11; zombie hayride, pony rides and zipline extra. Located across the street from Odyssey Fun World, this farm has a 13-acre pumpkin patch and a 15-acre corn maze; plus inflatable Kidz Zone, corn cannon, cow train rides, a flashlight maze, ziplines, hay bale maze, pig races, jumpy pillow, hay rides and pony rides on weekends. The Zombie Safari Hay Ride runs from 7 p.m. to midnight every Friday and Saturday and 7-11 p.m. Sunday in October.
Cost: $22.
Forest View Farms
When: Oct. 3-30.
Address: 16717 S. Lockwood Ave. (5300 W. 167th St.); 708-560-0306; www.fvfarms.comhttp://fvfarms.com.
Tickets: $7-$10. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday and Columbus Day. This equestrian farm offers a fall festival with a pumpkin patch and hay rides, plus no-scare and full-scare haunted rides.
Paige Fumo Fox is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
