Local haunts and happenings hotspots in the Pocono Mountains have geared up to deliver a spectacular assortment of Halloween hullabaloo. With the holiday falling on a Friday, the potential for a weekend long costumed celebration for all is inevitable; but why start there?
Many destinations are ringing in the holiday with festivities planned in advance. On one hand, you’ve got area establishments focused on mature mayhem; the other, entertaining the youngsters is, after all, a Halloween must! Fido-friendly fun also fell within our radar as well!
As age yields its benefits, let’s start with an assortment of area haunts for spectacular parties and scary thrills not for the young or young at heart…
Nightmare on Grange Road Haunted House and Trail is sure to serve up some night-time shrieks in Memorytown USA Fridays through Sundays until November 2. Their coupon on page 20 helps ease the intense anticipation with a little cold cash savings on the two attractions. www.nightmareongrange.com
The Haunting Waldorf Hotel invites guests to check-in at Lehighton’s Country Junction Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to 11 p.m. in October for a chilling hayride and walk-thru not intended for the squeamish. www.countryjunction.com
Through October 25, Fridays and Saturdays Eckley Miners Village Museum hosts hour long Haunted Halloween Lantern Tours with the mining town continuing the ominous holiday tradition stirring things up for over 15 years. www.eckleyminersvillage.com
Barley Creek Brewing Company’s Haunted Brewhouse returns to Tannersville off Camelback Road October 31. Watch out for lunging pumpkins, skeleton dogs and swinging zombies with some of the coolest costumes and decor in town; matched by live music, food and drink! What will Trip dare to don this year? Seeing is believing! www.barleycreek.com
Halloween turns Van Gilder’s Jubilee into Pocono Pines’ Pocono Find for a party to remember November 1 with music, costumes and libations into the evening. The holiday may end the night before, but Saturday’s the time to play here! www.breakfastking.com
An annual Halloween Party tradition Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Restaurant set October 31 after 5 p.m. as the time to pass up handing out Trick or Treats, opting to meet friends and “Sit for a spell.” They’re brewing up fun with live music daring all to dress up and be judged! www.ehrhardts.com
Family friendly Halloween excitement is on the horizon with sites taking time to stir up festivities well in advance…
Memorytown USA’s Octoberfest continues to be a local favorite with hay rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin patch and more Saturdays and Sundays, now through October 26th. www.memorytownusa.com
Country Junction continues The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival everyday through October 26 with carnival rides on the Midway, bouncies, even gourd grenade and paintball! www.countryjunction.com
Little goblins and ghouls can hit the farm; with Quiet Valley in Stroudsburg dishing out three days of spooktacular festivities Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Check out these Spooky Days on the Farm. www.quietvalley.org
What a better time than Halloween to unleash the imagination! Amazon Art Studio off SR940 in Pocono Pines hosts a Halloween Art Show 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, October 25 with a Halloween Art Party Friday, October 31 from 4 to 6 p.m. inviting all to “Craft and Treat!” www.amazonartstudio.com
Friday, October 31’s Halloween Trick or Treating is set for area municipalities…
- Coolbaugh Township 5 to 8 p.m.
- Smithfield Township 5 to 8 p.m.
- Tunkhannock Township 5 to 8 p.m.
- The Borough of Mount Pocono 6 to 8 p.m.
- Tobyhanna Township 6 to 8 p.m.
- Ross Township 6 to 8 p.m.
Evidently, there’s plenty of fun on the horizon for everyone— even pets!
Dress ’em up and Leash ’em up then join in this festivity…
VanBushkirk/Haney Park in Saylorsbug hosts pets and their owners as they join the West End Costumed Pet Parade Saturday October 25 at 11 a.m.
Most Original, Cutest, Scariest and Owner Look-a-Like are categories ready to split sides with laughter! bkozen@weposc.org
But wait…there’s more:
Tobyhanna Elementary Center hosts its annual Halloween parade and Trunk of Treat Saturday, November 1 starting at 2 p.m. Scary weather forecasts didn’t frighten organizers who shifted the fun to the afternoon from original plans for a morning gathering just off Old Route 940 in Pocono Pines.
