As the wind rustles the fallen leaves and blows misty clouds across the moon, the veil between the worlds grows thin. Take advantage of this haunted time of year with a trip to one of the area’s frightful Halloween attractions.
• DESTINATION HAUNT — Evil lurks in the woods of Lebanon. Along the Twilight Trail, the Buried Alive Cemetery, the Execution Center and the Lebanon Laboratory, the dark events of days past continue to be felt. As you dodge the Angel of Death and tiptoe through Hangman’s Hallow, you’re sure to come face to face with the paranormal. With such scary thrills, children under age 13 are advised to stay home.
WHEN: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Sunday; 6:30 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
WHERE: 249 Lord Road, Lebanon
HOW MUCH: $15 Thursday; $20 Friday to Sunday
INFO: destinationhaunt.com
• THE ORIGINAL HAUNTED HAYRIDES — Inside a gloomy forest, undead creatures and restless goblins lurk. As you pass through the forest on a rickety old wagon, be prepared for the unexpected to reach out and grab you. If you make it out alive, you’ll enjoy free spider soda and poisonous popcorn at the Witches Caldron.
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Thursday to Sunday
WHERE: Scarborough Downs Road, Scarborough
HOW MUCH: $13 adults; $9 ages 6 to 12; reservations recommended
INFO: www.hauntedhayridesmaine.com
• THE GAUNTLET — Dodge the Turner Beast, killer clowns, giant spiders and crazed kidnappers as you attempt to run the Gauntlet and make it out alive. Those who take this ride through the deep woods also must be alert for the legendary Lady in White, who is said to haunt Route 26.
WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Sunday; 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
WHERE: Harvest Hill Farms, Route 26, 125 Pigeon Hill Road, Mechanic Falls
HOW MUCH: $15
INFO: www.harvesthillfarms.com/Gauntlet.html
• HALLOWEEN HAUNTED MAIZE — Anyone who’s ever roamed a cornfield at night knows how truly unnerving and creepy they can be. Add in the naturally spooky atmospherics of Halloween weekend, and you have the perfect recipe for a frightful experience.
WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
WHERE: Sandy River Farms, 560 Farmington Road, Farmington
HOW MUCH: $6
INFO: www.sandyriverfarms.com
• HAUNTED SCHOOLHOUSE — Evil headmistresses, demented janitors and sadistic gym teachers: You might encounter any of these characters and more as you prowl the halls of this haunted academic building. Children who can’t handle the horror can retreat to the child safe room.
WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Schoolhouse Arts Center, 16 Richville Road, Standish
HOW MUCH: $8 adults; $5 students
INFO: www.schoolhousearts.org
• WICKED WALKING TOURS — Stroll the dimly lit, narrow streets of Portland’s Old Port district and hear tales of untimely deaths, ghostly pirate ships and disembodied divas. Bring your camera and capture your own evidence of Portland’s paranormal side.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
WHERE: Bell Buoy Park, near Casco Bay Lines, Commercial Street, Portland
HOW MUCH: $15 adults; $13 seniors and children under 12
INFO: www.wickedwalkingtours.com
• WALK AMONG THE SHADOWS III — Inside the wrought iron gates of the Eastern Cemetery, more than 4,000 souls found their final resting place. Among those buried here are men who fought in the Revolutionary and Civil wars, sea captains and congressmen. Do their spirits still roam the grounds? Take the tour and find out.
WHEN: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday
WHERE: Eastern Cemetery, 224 Congress St., Portland
HOW MUCH: $10 adults; $5 children 12 and under
INFO: www.spiritsalive.org
• UNITED VOLUNTEERS OF MAINE HAUNTED HOUSE — As the door creaks open to the former Circuit City building, you’ll be immersed in a spooky, hazy world. Will you encounter the ghosts of psychotic bag boys or crazy cashiers? It’s hard to say. But one thing is for sure — when a haunted house is located on Stephen King Drive, you’re bound to encounter your fair share of horror.
WHEN: 6:30 to 9 p.m., Thursday to Saturday; 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Augusta Marketplace, Stephen King Drive, Augusta
HOW MUCH: $10
INFO: uvm.wikidot.com/projects-hh
Staff Writer Avery Yale Kamila can be contacted at 791-6297 or at:
akamila@pressherald.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
