LITTLE ROCK — Whether it's finding the perfect pumpkin, eating candy apples or running screaming out of a haunted house, Halloween in the Tri-Lakes area is in full swing. Listed below are several local haunted houses, fall festivals and Halloween activities for the entire family.
ARKADELPHIA
Trunk or Treat - Second Baptist Church is hosting its annual event from 6-9 p.m on Halloween, Friday, Oct. 31, in the church parking lot. There will be games and prizes. For more information call the church at (870) 246-4371.
Glow Festival - This free festival will take place in the First Baptist Church gym from 6-7:30 p.m. on Halloween. Meet in the fellowship hall for games, snacks and prizes. Costumes are welcome. For more information call the church at (870) 246-5587.
Trunk or Treat - Visit the Park Hill Baptist Church parking lot from 6-8 p.m. for games, food, candy and prizes. For more information call the church at (870) 246-4802.
Haunted House - Visit the Joan Fire Station on Arkansas 51 north beginning each night at dark on Tuesday through Friday, Oct. 31, for its annual haunted house. Admission to the house is $4 and it benefits the East Clark County Volunteer Fire Department.
Halloween Happenings - The Crystal Palace Skate Center, 102 Crystal Palace Drive, will have skating parties with costume contests, candy scramble and scary movies beginning Saturday through Halloween night. For more information visit the Web site at www.crystalpalaceskatecenter.com or call (870) 245-3800.
Henderson Halloween - Hen-derson State University's student organizations will hand out candy in the Garrison Center from 5:30-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31. For more information call (870) 230-5000.
BENTON
Teen H a l loween Mov ie Night - Teens ages 13-18 are invited to watch scary movies at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30. Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite NBC character. For more information call (501) 778-4766.
Monster Mash - Children ages 7-12 are invited to the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Librar y from 3:30-5 p.m. on Halloween for monsters and fun. Children ages 3-7 are also welcome to a Halloween Carnival at the same time. From 2-5 p.m., a pumpkin-carving contest will take place, pumpkins and some tools will be provided. Parents are encouraged to participate. For more information call (501) 778-4766.
Ghost Stor ie s P rog r a m - Benton resident Alma Joyce Hahn will present Arkansas Ghost stories at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library at 6:30 p.m. Monday. This program is free and open to all ages.
"Benton is a haunted little town," Hahn said. "These are stories people tell for the truth, not just fun and games, though they are quite fun. The intriguing part is how much these stories reveal about the culture of an area and how frequently they change to reflect the current culture."
Hahn said the program will feature new ghost stories from last year's program, and she said the program is family-friendly.
"I always tell people I don't know if I believe in ghosts, but whether the ghosts exist or not, the stories are important to the history of the area and reveal much about its people, both past and present," Hahn said. "I invite interested residents of all ages to come out for a fun, spooky and informative evening of ghost stories."
For more information call the library at (501) 778-4766.
Benton's Haunted Attraction - Parents and kids of all ages are welcome to this familyoriented haunted house at 703 W. South St., east of the Benton Skating Rink. Admission is $10 and the house opens at 7 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 1. The house closes at 9:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and is open Friday and Saturday nights until 12:30 a.m. It is open 2-5 p.m. Sunday afternoons.
The Torture Chamber - This haunted house continues until Sunday, Nov. 1, at 3805 Benton Parkway, two miles south of Alcoa Road. It opens each night at 6:30. It is not suggested for children or people with heart or asthma problems. Also visitors must be able to crouch or crawl in tight spaces. Admission is $12. For more information call (501) 315-8300 or visit www.torturechamberbenton.com.
Spook City - Visit downtown Benton 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, for this annual Halloween carnival. It features face painting, costume show, live entertainment, amusement area and candy.
Admission is free and for more information call (501) 551-1100.
Hereafter House - This Halloween event at Holland Chapel begins Saturday and ends Halloween night. It's open from 4-6 p.m. on weekdays and 4-8 p.m. on weekends. Admission is free.
Youth pastor Nick Calaway said visitors will experience heaven and hell during a 40-minute tour.
"The tour begins after a tornado and it follows the victims as they enter heaven or hell," Calaway said. "It may be intense for small children, because they will be confronted with spiritual events that they may be too young to understand."
Calaway said the 15th annual event has seen 30,000 visitors. Groups are asked to make reservations at the church by calling (501) 778-4546. The church is located at 15523 Interstate 30.
BRYANT
Fall Festival - This Halloween event features games, inflatables and candy from 7-9 p.m. on Halloween night in the parking lot of the Family Church. Food will be for sale as well. For more information call the church at (501) 847-1559.
Monster Madness at Mills - This year's mash, hosted by the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce and the Boys and Girls Club of Bryant, is from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at Mills Park. The event will feature carnival games, inflatables, a costume contest, hot dogs, hot chocolate, crafts, a haunted trail and a bonfire. The haunted trail begins at 6:30 p.m. and is $5.
New this year is the chili cook-off. Registration for the cook-off is $25. For more information call (501) 847-4702.
Teen H a l loween Mov ie Night - The Bryant Library invites teens, ages 13-18, to the library for a night of scary movies beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite NBC character. For more information call (501) 778-4766.
Family Fun Fall Fest - Children ages 12 and under are invited to the Bryant Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, for a fall festival with face painting, pumpkin ring toss, pick-a-duck, monster walk, fish pond and a special storytime from 6:45-7 p.m. Costumes are welcome and prizes and refreshments will be provided. For more information call (501) 847-2166.
Ghost Stor ie s P rog r a m - Benton resident Alma Joyce Hahn will present Arkansas Ghost stories at the Br yant Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. This program is free and open to all ages. For more information call the library at (501) 778-4766.
Haunted Hotel - The sixth annual event features indoor blood pools and a red meat buffet at the 3600 AR 5 at Springhill Road location. Full concessions are provided and the house is handicap and wheelchair accessible. The haunted hotel is open 7-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and it stays open until the last customer leaves on Friday and Saturday nights. Admission is $10.
Howloween Costume Contest - On Sunday, Oct. 26, visit K-9 Splash and Dash for a pet costume contest. Registration begins at 2 p.m. and the contest begins at 3 p.m. Prizes will be given away in several categories and there will be free hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks and treat bags for the pets. For more information call (501) 847-7336.
HOT SPRINGS
Tractor Treat - From Friday, Oct. 31, to Sunday, Nov. 2, view tractors on display at the picnic pavilion. In addition enjoy hay rides and trick-or-treating at the tractors. Admission is free. For more information contact the park at (501) 844-4176.
Hau nted House - This house at 211 Catlett Lane, is open weeknights from 7-10 and weekends until the last customer leaves. Admission is $5 and it's not recommended for children under 10. For more information call (501) 609-9814.
2nd Annual Cedar Glades Park Fall Festival and Haunted Hay ride - The event opens at 5 p.m Wednesday, Oct. 29, featuring the haunted trail ride that begins at dusk. Free admission to the exhibits, live music, games and storytellers. Various concessions will also be available. The event takes place at 461 Wildcat Road. For more information call (501) 622-3655 or (501) 282-1872.
Amityroad Horror - This haunted house is $10 per person through Sunday, Nov. 1. The house is eight miles down Amity Road. Proceeds benefit the American Red Cross Garland County Chapter. For more information call (501) 520-8391 or (501) 617-0850.
Magic Screams - T his event ends Thursday, Oct. 30, at Magic Springs. Visit the spooky haunted house, walk the scary trail and ride the rides. Younger guests can enjoy a scare-free zone with pumpkin painting. Admisssion is $36.99 for a oneday pass.
Hau nted House - This haunted house is sponsored by Mid-America Museum, Piney Fire Department and Spencer's. The event will be open 6-9 p.m Friday and Saturday, Thursday, Oct. 30, and Friday, Oct. 31, at the museum. Admission is $5 and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Hot dogs, chips and soda will be available for purchase at the entrance bridge.
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE
Halloween Party - On Saturday, the Hot Springs Village Property Owners' Association Recreation Department is sponsoring a Halloween Party at the DeSoto Family Recreation Area from 5-10 p.m.
Hot Springs Village property owners may bring guests ages 13 and up. Hot dogs, chips, dip, cookies and drinks will be available. Admission is $5. For more information call (501) 922-5055.
MALVERN
R E A D H a u nt e d Hou s e - This 10,000 - square-foot haunted house, hosted by the Arkansas Literacy Council of Hot Spring County, will take place at 123 Locust St. The house will be open from 7 p.m. until the last customer leaves on Friday and Saturday nights through Nov. 1. Admission for kids 12 and under is $3; adults, $6. For more information call (501) 332-4039.
Costume Contest - The Malvern library will host several events free to the public, beginning 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday. Children ages 5-12 are invited to decorate their own trick-ortreat bag.
On Halloween from 3 - 6 p.m., children of all ages are invited to trick-or-treat and there will be a costume contest from 5-5:30 p.m. with prizes awarded in two categories, ages 2-6 and ages 7-12.
For more information call the library at (501) 332-5441.
HASKELL
Halloween Carnival - The Harmony Grove Halloween Carnival, sponsored by the Harmony Grove Music Boosters, is from 4-8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are five for $1 before the carnival or four for $1 the day of the carnival. There will be a costume contest for children ages preschool through middle school. For more information call (501) 315-4602.
- epannell@ arkansasonline.com
Tri-Lakes, Pages 59, 65 on 10/23/2008