Kregel’s Pumpkin Patch open for the season
Kregel’s Pumpkin Patch, featuring a corn maze and tractor-pulled hayrides out to the pumpkin patch, is open now through Oct. 30 at 7705 W. 159th Ave., Lowell. Admission to the maze and Barn Yard Activities can be purchased from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and from Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Farm closes at 6 p.m. Fee-based activities include: unlimited hayrides to the pumpkin patch; the pumpkin peak slide; the rat roller; the barrel train ride; the pedal car ride; the petting zoo; and the corn maze. The Farm Market sells freshly made kettle corn, hot apple cider and three varieties of donuts that can be enjoyed in the adjacent picnic area. The farm stand carries local honey, hand-painted pumpkins, gourds, mums, straw bales and corn stalks. More information is at 219-690-1503 or at www.kregelspumpkinpatch.com.
Gabis Arboretum hosts second annual Hallo-Weekend
Gabis Arboretum at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is celebrating the Halloween spirit with its second annual Hallo-Weekend on Friday and Saturday at 450 W 100 N, Valparaiso. The festivities include two nights of outdoor movies; one for adults with an add-on ghost hunting tour, and one night for families with trick or treating. Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday for a screening of “The Conjuring.” The film starts at dusk. Tickets are $10 for adults. Visitors must be 18 years or older. Northwest Indiana Paranormal and the PNW Paranormal Club will lead a 45-minute guided ghost hunt through the arboretum woods with equipment to collect potential evidence of the paranormal. Guests can add on the activity for $10 in addition to the movie ticket. The ghost hunt tour will start around 9 p.m. after the film’s conclusion. Gates open at 6 p.m. again Saturday for a screening of “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” which will start at dusk. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Kids ages 3 and younger are admitted free, but will need a ticket. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in costumes and bring bags for trick or treating at the arboretum before the film. PNW alumni are eligible for a discounted $5 admission fee for each film screening. Alumni interested in attending can contact PNW’s Alumni office at alumni@pnw.edu for a redemption code to use with ticket purchases. Snacks, beer and wine will be available for purchase with cash only from local vendors on both nights. No outside food or beverages are permitted. No dogs, except service animals, are permitted. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for the outdoor film screenings. For more information, visit pnw.edu/hallo-weekend and the arboretum’s Facebook page.
Litter cleanup event in downtown Valparaiso
The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will partner with Valparaiso University and Mermaid Straw to host a litter cleanup event from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Rotary Library Garden, 106 Jefferson St. Valparaiso. This family-friendly cleanup will feature free coffee, sweet treats and a water refill station. A reusable drinkware scavenger hunt sponsored by Mermaid Straw will be held, and photo opportunities will be available for the Mermaid Karina mascot meet and greet. Participants are urged to bring their own gloves and buckets. Register to attend at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLpMAXiW3gOItUuML1KFV9wAkVEjfctKXe4ysLJTpxaWbRag/viewform?usp=sf_link. More information is at https://fb.me/e/aervjCCFc or call 219-465-3694.
Crown Point Fire Rescue to host Open House
Crown Point Fire Rescue will host its annual Fire Prevention Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Fire Station, 126 N. East St. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “Cooking Safety Starts with You: Pay Attention to Fire Prevention.” The open house will have a variety of activities, including practice fire drills, a fire extinguisher demonstration, a junior firefighter obstacle course, a kitchen fire demonstration and rides on the department’s 1949 American LaFrance pumper. There also will be booths from community partners, including Crown Point Emergency Management Agency; Crown Point Police Department; Dean and Barbara White Southlake YMCA; Franciscan Health Crown Point Trauma Department and Cardiac Department; Lake County 911; Lakes of the Four Seasons Fire Department; and NIPSCO. Food, beverage and Crown Point Fire Rescue merchandise will be available for purchase. More information is at 219-662-5634.
