Area attractions offer Halloween fun for everyone

Everywhere you go these days, it's looking very "spooktacular." With Halloween just around the corner - whether your plans call for getting dressed-up or doing a bit of hobnobbing with family or friends - now is the time to set your sights on some ghoulishly-good fun.

For centuries, Halloween has been observed on Oct. 31. In ancient times on this occasion, fires were lit across hilltops to ward off evil spirits, and it was believed souls of the dearly-departed visited their former residences. Autumnal festivals took on sinister significance as ghosts, goblins, witches and black cats came out to play.

Pagan festivals influenced the Christian observance of All Hallows Eve, both being celebrated on the same day. And, Halloween became the most favorable time of the year for fortune tellers to predict the future regarding birth, marriage, luck, health and death.

Over time, Halloween evolved into a more secular observance and it is thought Irish immigrants introduced many of today's customs in America during the late 19th century.

At one point, mischief-making and vandalism often occurred on the last day of October. Fortunately, these pranks changed as the observance developed into a day for kids to dress up in costumes, going from house to house asking for treats rather than tricks.

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, so if you're staying home, get ready for plenty of trick-or-treaters. Until then, here's a look at some of this year's Halloween action at a variety of haunts around the area:

Tonight, tomorrow and Saturday and Oct. 28-31 - Annual Morgue Manor Haunted House sponsored by the Deale Volunteer Fire Department, 6007 Drum Point Road. The schedule, weather permitting: weeknights, 7:30 to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. This spooky experience is filled with ghastly excitement guaranteed to entertain every participant. Non-refundable admission is $12; (children under age 5 admitted free). Proceeds benefit the fire department. For more information, call the Haunted House hotline at 410-867-9374 or the firehouse at 410-867-1350.

Tonight and tomorrow through Sunday and Oct. 28-31 - Bennett's Curse, 7000 Arundel Mills Circle (adjacent to the shopping center) in Hanover.

Tonight and tomorrow through Sunday and Oct. 28-31 - Bennett's Curse, 7000 Arundel Mills Circle (adjacent to the shopping center) in Hanover. Wednesdays, 7 to 11 p.m.; Thursdays-Sundays, 7 to 10 p.m. Afraid of the dark? You may well be once you have visited this horrifying place. Recommended for adults and children over age 10, it is attracting more and more thrill-seekers every year. The crazy venue, featuring such scary areas as the "Sanctuary of Insanity" with its "Dominion of Darkness," and the "House of Vampyres," is bound to scare your socks off. General admission is $20. (Credit cards are accepted for online ticketing only at www.bennettscurse.com. Tickets are cash only at the box office.) For more information, call 410-538-6461.

Tomorrow and Saturday and Oct. 30 - Wicked Woods at Monsignor Slade Catholic School, 120 Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie. Hours: 7:30 to 11 p.m. Now in its 11th year, this Halloween favorite will again feature the main trail filled with special lighting and sound effects, stage sets, mechanical props and costumed actors. The supervised Wee Kids Maze is suitable for children younger than age 9. Admission is $10 for the trail and $4 for the children's activity area. For more information, call 410-766-7130 or visit www.msladeschool.com

Tomorrow and Saturday and Oct. 30-31 - "The Asylum" Haunted House at the Bowie Baysox Prince George's Stadium, 4101 Crain Highway in Bowie. Hours: 6 to 11 p.m. Now in its 23rd year, this popular show, recognized as the area's longest running haunted house, will feature the best in terrifying Halloween craziness. The non-refundable admission is $15. The production is not suitable for children under age 13. For more information, call 301-464-4880 or visit www.baysox.com

Tomorrow and Saturday and Oct. 30-31 - Family-style Ghosts of Annapolis Tours are departing each night from the Maryland Inn, Main Street at Church Circle, at 5 p.m. Tailored for Halloween, every age will enjoy this fun-filled guided stroll about the capital city in search of its "spirited" residents from long ago. Tickets are $10 regardless of age and advance reservations are required. For more information, call 1-800-979-3370 or visit www.annapolisghosts.com

Note: This company also offers a Haunted Pub Crawl of Annapolis. On Friday and Saturday nights (year-round), a tour departs from the Maryland Inn at 9 p.m. Over the course of 2 to 2½ hours, participants (must be age 21 or over) are guided on a raucous romp through the Historic District, visiting three to four establishments. Stories about each pub and its resident ghosts will keep the heart pounding. Tickets are $20 and advanced reservations are required. For more information call 1-800-979-3370 or visit www.hauntedpubcrawls.com.

Tomorrow and Saturday and Oct. 30-31 - Haunted Ghost Tours of Annapolis departing from Historic Annapolis Foundation's Museum Store, 77 Main St. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Colonial-attired Watermark (originally Chesapeake Marine Tours) tour guides will take participants on a spine-tingling trek through the historic - many say haunted - streets of Maryland's capital, sharing tales about spirits who may linger in the darkness. The magnificent William Paca House will be visited and mysterious family stories will be revealed. Admission: adults, $20; children ages 3-11, $14; ages 2 and under admitted free. Tickets are available online at www.watermarkspecialevents.com, by calling 410-268-7601, Ext. 100; or on a walk-up basis each night of the tour.

Tomorrow through Sunday and Oct. 30-31 - Halloween Happening Haunted Barn and Hayride at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds, 1450 Generals Highway (Route 178) in Crownsville. Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m., Sundays from 7 to 9 p.m. This family-friendly activity promises plenty of fiendish ghouls and loathsome characters to scare up Halloween excitement. Proceeds benefit county fair programs. Admission: $10; children under age 5 admitted free. For more information, call 410-923-3400 or visit www.halloweenhappening.com

Tomorrow through Sunday and Oct. 30-31 - The Haunt at Sunrise Farm, Dairy Farm Road and Route 175, Gambrills. Haunted hayride and scary barns. Children under age 10 should be accompanied by a parent; no refunds if you get too scared. Hours: 7:45-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7:45-10 p.m. Sunday. $22 (cash only).

Saturday and Sunday - Second Annual Haunted Holy Grounds event adjacent to the Severna Park Community Center, 623 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd, Severna Park. Hours: 7-11 p.m. Saturday; 6-9 p.m, Sunday. Enjoy a family tour through the spooky grounds and graveyard. Admission: 5. For more information, visit www.severnaparkcommunitycenter.com/special_events.shtml or call 410-647-5843.

Saturday and Sunday and Oct. 30, 31 and Nov. 1 - Fright Fest 2009 at Six Flags America, located on Route 214 in Largo. Hours: Oct. 24 and 31, 1 to 10 p.m.; Oct. 25, 1 to 9 p.m.; Oct. 30, 5 to 10:30 p.m.; and Nov. 1, 1 to 8 p.m. The region's largest family-friendly theme park will feature Halloween-inspired thrills by day and chills by night aboard mild-to-wild rides and roller coasters. Special attractions, including the Trick or Treat Trail, Not-So-Scary Kiddie Hay Rides, the Scare Zones, Claw's Revenge and the Monster Mash Bash will add to the fun. The Haunted Train - themed Paranormal Studios - will provide a spine-tingling glimpse at a decrepit movie studio known for some of cinema's most chilling productions. Admission: $49.99 plus tax or free with a 2009 Play Pass. For more information, call 301-249-1500.

Oct. 30 - Halloween-style silent film presentation at St. Anne's Episcopal Church on Church Circle in Annapolis. Show begins at 7 p.m. "Phantom of the Opera," the 1925 film starring Lon Chaney, will be headlining the evening's entertainment. Throughout the movie, live music, courtesy of organist Larry Molinaro, will be played on St. Anne's pipe organ. Admission: $15 adults; $10 students (plus a $3 per-ticket Maryland Hall service charge). For more information, call 410-280-5640 or visit www.marylandhall.org

Oct. 31 - Fourth annual 5K Run and Halloween Fun Walk starting at the Robert A. Pascal Youth and Family Services Inc. offices located behind the Park Plaza Shopping Center, 570 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park. The run will start at 8:30 a.m. with the walk beginning at 9 a.m. along the B&A Trail. The non-refundable entry fee is $20. Everyone is encouraged to wear costumes for this lively happening that will benefit the agency's programs for families residing in and around Anne Arundel County. For more information, call 410-975-0067 or visit www.rpascal.org

Oct. 31 - Eighth Annual Howl-O-Ween Barkin' Bash at Quiet Waters Park, located at 600 Quiet Waters Road in Annapolis. Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain or shine). Join the fun that will be happening at the stage area. Doggie costume contest, games, displays, demonstrations and entertainment will be part of this happy event. Admission is free and there is no park entrance fee. Proceeds benefit Quiet Water's beach and dog park. For more information, call 410-222-1777 or visit www.pawsannapolis.com

Oct. 31 - Halloween celebration at Westfield Annapolis mall. Hours: 1 to 3 p.m. Costumed children will be welcome to trick-or-treat. Stop by the West Atrium near Crate & Barrel to pick-up a free goodie bag and list of participating stores. For more information, call 410-266-5432 or visit www.westfield.com

Through October - The Anne Arundel County Public Library is presenting terrific Halloween-inspired programs at their various libraries. Call a library near you for more information about events, dates and times or visit www.aacpl.net

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In addition to these events, many area bars and restaurants will offer Halloween costume contests next weekend. Check our After Dark column next Thursday for details.

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Margaret Horton Edsall is a nationally-known freelance writer who resides in Edgewater.