Nebraskaland

56 Nebraskaland • October 2023 MIXED BAG Experience Halloween in a unique way — at a Nebraska state park. Upcoming events across the state combine all the fun of Halloween with a beautiful, scenic outdoor setting. From haunted hayrack rides to pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating and ghostly trails, there is something for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Here are some of our favorite events this year. Friday, Oct. 13 Trick-or-Treat at the Town – Indian Cave State Park 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. – Follow the decorated trail through the old town of St. Deroin to find candy and perhaps a ghost or two. Saturday, Oct. 14 Brewing with Fun – Eugene T. Mahoney State Park 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at Kountze Memorial Theater – Get dressed up in your favorite costume and join the costume parade. Stay to carve pumpkins and check out the decorated campsites. Halloween at Fremont Lakes – Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area 5 p.m.-7 p.m. – Can your campsite come out on top in the decorating contest? Kids are invited to participate in trick- or-treating as well. Hallowfest – Ponca State Park From a pumpkin roll obstacle course to haunted hayrack rides, you don't want to miss the 25th anniversary of Ponca's Hallowfest. Campsite and cabin decorating contests will take place as well. Reserve your spot for the hayrack rides on Monday, October 9, at 8 a.m. Halloween Haunt – Johnson Lake State Recreation Area This event features plenty of fun for the kids in the family, with everything from pumpkin painting to kids' games and trick-or-treating. Small prizes will be awarded to winners of the campsite decorating contest. Saturday, Oct. 21 Pumpkin Carvers Event – Calamus State Recreation Area 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. – Pumpkins are the star of the show at this event, with a pumpkin rolling competition and pumpkin carving. Visitors can also enjoy decorated campsites and trick-or-treating. Jack-O-Lantern Junk and Craft Market – Indian Cave State Park 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Find a unique treasure at this event, where vendors will be selling everything from A to Z. At 11 a.m., the Pink Pumpkin Walk will raise money for cancer. Join us from 3:30-5 p.m. for the Trick-or-Treat by the Buses event. Halloween in the Hollow – Ash Hollow State Historical Park 2 p.m.-6 p.m. – Celebrate Halloween with the ghosts of the Oregon Trail. Events include pumpkin picking, hayrack rides and a scavenger hunt. The costume contest begins at 4:30 p.m. At 5 p.m., Trunk or Treat, sponsored by Game and Parks conservation officers, area EMS and law enforcement, will begin. Spooktacular – Branched Oak State Recreation Area 3:30 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Middle Oak Campground – Bring the whole family to enjoy pumpkin rolling and carving, a costume contest and a campsite decorating contest. There will also be a haunted hayrack ride, but tickets must be purchased in advance. Call 402-783-3400 for more information. Hallowfest – Ponca State Park The second weekend of Ponca's 25th anniversary of Hallowfest will also include a pumpkin roll obstacle course, campsite and cabin decorating contests and haunted hayrack rides. Reservations for the hayrack rides take place on Monday, October 9, at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28 - Saturday, Oct. 29 Vintage Halloween – Arbor Lodge State Historical Park 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Step back in time to see Halloween history, customs and games at Arbor Lodge Mansion, the jewel of this beautiful, and spooky, state historical park. Haunted Camping – Enders State Recreation Area Wander the haunted trail, enjoy fall breezes on a hayrack ride and compete in a campsite decorating contest at the Area A campground. Please note: These aren't the only areas in Nebraska's state park system that will be hosting Halloween events this year. For a complete list, visit Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. And always remember — where there are campsites, there are campsite decorations. Visitors take part in the pumpkin roll contest during the annual Spooktacular event at Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Lancaster County. ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND OFF THE SPOOKY PATH By Renae Blum and Jeff Kurrus

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