Celebrate autumn, Halloween with hip harvest haunts

It's the season for scary dungeons, witches balls, hayrides and harvest fests

Melody Baetens / The Detroit News

Now that the air and the leaves are getting crisper, it's time to take advantage of all the October fun Michigan has to offer.

Haunted attractions are a big deal. Adventurous types can spend their weekends in dungeons, haunted barns, zombie-infested warehouses or in spooky churches.

"It's an adrenaline rush, almost like a roller coaster," says Howard Erlich, owner of Deadly Intentions in Warren. "It's scary while you're in it, but once you're out you have the feeling of accomplishment that you actually made it out of the house."

Howard has 23 years of experience in Michigan's haunted attractions business. "We've been told that we have the best actors out of any of the haunted houses around -- the scare factor is high!"

Parties for all ages

As Halloween gets closer, adults will enjoy the nightlife with costume parties, many of which have cash prizes for the scariest and sexiest costumes. The area's biggest Halloween party is Clutch Cargo's Rave from the Grave, which has been sold out every year for a decade.

It's fun for adults to dress up, but Halloween is all about the kids (largely due to the candy factor). Gone are the days where trick-or-treating had to be done outside, or even on Oct. 31. Many area libraries, parks and museums offer indoor trick-or-treating, costume contests, pumpkin carving and other non-spooky fun.

Harvest activities

The fall season isn't all about ghouls and goblins, though.

Corn mazes, pumpkin picking and harvest festivals are fun seasonal activities suitable for people of all ages. Who can pass up fresh cider and doughnuts?

Though you may have to venture outside of your neighborhood to find one, many of Michigan's farms are chock-full of fall activities.

Westview Orchards in Washington Township has pumpkin and apple picking, a bakery and hayrides. They even have a corn maze in the shape of Michigan State University men's basketball coach Tom Izzo's head.

"He (Izzo) represents all the good things about Michigan -- the tenacity, determination and good strong values," says Katrina Schumacher, a sixth-generation owner of Westview. She says farms like hers are a good option for those who want to experience fall fun without the spooky factor.

"On Fridays, kids go through the corn maze with their flash lights followed by cider and doughnuts. That's about as spooky as we get. It's a safe, fun place."

Haunted attractions

You can bring your own flashlight, but be aware that not every place allows them.

Corn Fun and Fear Farm at Corn Fun Family Farm, noon today-Sun., Oct. 22-25 and Oct. 28-Nov. 1. $6-$15. 9391 Lindsey Lane, Casco. (586) 365-9401

Erebus, the World's Largest Haunted House in downtown Pontiac, 7-11 p.m. every Mon.-Thurs, 6 p.m.-1 a.m. every Fri-Sat. and 6 p.m.-11 p.m. every Sun. through Nov. 1. $17-$40. 18 S. Perry St., Pontiac. (248) 332-7884

Uncle Scooter's Chop Shop, 7 p.m.-midnight every Thurs.-Sat., and 7-10 p.m. every Sun. through Oct. 31, plus 7-10 p.m. Oct. 21 and 28. $13. 3115 W. Thompson Road, Fenton. (810) 955-4225

Realm of Darkness, 7:30 every Thurs. and Sun. and Oct. 26-28 and 7 p.m. every Fri. and Sat. through Nov. 1. $20, $12 children 5 foot 4 inches and shorter, $29 for VIP. 79 S. Glenwood Road, Pontiac. (248) 338-0029

Barn of Blood at Apple Charlie's, 6 p.m. every Fri. and 2 p.m. every Sat.-Sun. in October. $8 haunted house, $5 witch hayrides. 38035 S. Huron Road, New Boston. (734) 753-5308

The Haunted Castle at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School, 6-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and Oct. 23-24, 6-9 p.m. Sun. and Oct. 25. $7, $25 for family pack. 32460 Pierce Road, Beverly Hills. (248) 642-2616

The Lab, 7 p.m.-1 a.m. every Fri.-Sat. and 7-11 p.m. every Wed. and Sun. through Oct. 31. $13. 26505 Hornet Ave., Grosse Ile. (586) 291-8130

Slaughtered at Sundown, 7 p.m.-midnight every Fri.-Sat. and 7-10 p.m. every Sun. through Oct. 31. $12, $20 for both attractions. 71800 Romeo Plank Road, Armada Township. (586) 752-7669

Corn Maze and Haunted Woods at Grandma's Pumpkin Patch, 7 p.m. every Fri.-Sat. through Oct. 31. $6. 4277 N. Eastman Road, Midland. (989) 835-8024

Phantasmagoria Terror Dome at Fun Tyme Adventure Park, 7 p.m.-midnight every Fri.-Sat. through Oct. 31 and 7-11 p.m. Oct. 22 and 29. $10 per haunt, $15 for all three. 3384 James Phillips Drive, Okemos. (517) 882-FEAR

Urban Legends at Cass Community United Methodist Church, 7-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 7-10 p.m. Sun., Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 30-31. $10, $8 children 5 or older. 39801 Cass Ave., Detroit. (313) 833-7730

Night Terrors at Wiard's Orchard, 7-11:30 p.m. every Fri.-Sat. and 7-11 p.m. every Sun. and Oct. 29 through Oct. 31. $15, $29 for all six attractions. 5565 Merritt Road, Ypsilanti. (734) 482-7744

Haunted Winery, 7:30 p.m.-midnight every Fri.-Sat. and 7-10 p.m. every Sun. through Oct. 31, and 7-10 p.m. Oct. 29. $10, $5 for kids 5 foot 2 inches and shorter. 31505 Grand River Ave., Farmington. (248) 477-8833

Rochester Area Jaycees Tunnel of Terror at Rochester Municipal Park, 7:30-10:30 p.m. every Fri.-Sat. in October. $10. 208 Seventh St., Rochester. (248) 377-3300

Deadly Intentions -- City of the Living Dead at County Line Trade Center, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sun., Oct. 15-18 and Oct. 22-31. $14, $8 children, $20 line jump, $25 season pass. 20900 Dequindre Road, Warren. (248) 797-0676

Zombie Hunting at Michigan Tactical AirSoft Center, 8 p.m.-midnight every Fri.-Sat. and 7-11 p.m. every Sun. through Oct. 31. $15. 14009 Achyl Ave., Warren. (248) 569-6831

Urban Legends at Bel Air Centre, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sun. and every Thurs.-Sun. Oct. 15-31. $25, kids 48 inches and shorter are free. 9810 Eight Mile, Detroit. (313) 893-2227

Nighttime Spooky Hayride and Three-story Haunted Barn at Blake Farms, dusk every Fri.-Sat. in October. $12.95 or $8.95 for children for haunted barn, $15.95 or $11.95 for children for haunted hayride, $19.95 or $15.95 for children for combo pack. 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada Township. (586) 784-5343

Tombstone Tour in Livonia, 1 p.m. Sun., Oct. 25 and Oct. 31. $30. Departs from 39293 Plymouth Road, Livonia. www.hauntedhideaways.com

Haunted Forest at Wojo's Greenhouse, 7-11 p.m. Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 30. $6. 2570 Oakwood Road, Ortonville. (248) 627-6498

October's Other Side with séance and lecture at Dundee Old Mill, 7-10 p.m. Oct. 24. $40. 242 Toledo St., Dundee. www.hauntedhideaways.comBeyond the Doorway séance and ghost stories at Straight Farmhouse, 7-10 p.m. Oct. 30. $40. 6221 Merriman Road, Garden City. www.hauntedhideaways.com

A Victorian Haunting Experience at McFadden Ross Museum, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 30-31. $50. 915 Brady St., Dearborn. (313) 565-3000 or www.amywilliamson.net

Adult Halloween parties

The Haunting: A Pre-Halloween Celebration at MBarGo, 8 p.m. Oct. 23. $10. 44325 12 Mile, Novi. (989) 284-0378

The Haunted Kingdom at Rock Financial Showplace, 9 p.m. Oct. 24. $20-$149. 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi. (248) 566-4499

Witches Ball at Clutch Cargo's, 9 p.m. Oct. 24. $7.50. 65 E. Huron St., Pontiac. (248) 333-2362

Masquerade Ball at Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 7 p.m. Oct. 30. $62 in advance, $82 two weeks ahead, $200 VIP. 350 Madison St., Detroit. (313) 887-8500 or www.maskme.org

Boo Bash '09 with Killer Flamingos at Royal Oak Music Theatre, 7:45 p.m. Oct. 30. $27 in advance, $32 at the door (includes some drinks). 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak. (248) 399-2980

All Hallow's Eve Party at Longacre House, 8 p.m.-midnight Oct. 30. $30, $50 per couple. 24705 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills. (248) 473-1848.

Dance With the Devil with DJs Mike Anthony and Tom T. at MGM Grand Detroit, 9 p.m. Oct. 30. $15. 1777 Third St., Detroit. (248) 566-4499

Blak-Out with DJ Dan, Gabe Real, Brian Gillespie, Terrance Parker and more at Bert's Warehouse, 9 p.m. Oct. 31. $10-$30 general, $100 VIP. 2739 Russell St., Detroit. (313) 393-3233

Rave from the Grave, 9 p.m. Oct. 31. $15. 65 E. Huron St., Pontiac. (248) 333-2362

Thriller III at Dirty Martini, 9 p.m. Oct. 31. $10, $250 for VIP booth. 42705 Grand River Ave., Novi. (248) 840-4078

Haunted in the House at Detroit Opera House, 10 p.m. Oct. 31. $35, $75 VIP. 1526 Broadway St., Detroit. (313) 237-SING

Vampire's Ball at MGM Grand Detroit, 10 p.m. Oct. 31. $10, no cover if you donate blood to the American Red Cross in October. 1777 Third St., Detroit. (313) 465-1650

Live music

Big '80s Flashback Halloween Bash with Bullcock, the Luckouts, Red September and the Walkin' Talkin' Toxins at Paycheck's Lounge, rock, 9 p.m. Oct. 24. $6. 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck. (313) 874-0909

Halloween concert with Kevin Miller and the EMU Symphony Orchestra at Pease Auditorium, classical, 7 p.m. Oct. 30. $10, $8 students and seniors, $6 children. College Place and West Cross Street, Ypsilanti. (734) 487-2282

Type O Negative at Harpo's, metal, 5 p.m. Oct. 31. $20. 14238 Harper Ave., Detroit. (313) 824-1700

Halloween (the band) at Emerald Theater, rock/metal, 7 p.m. Oct. 31. $10. 31 N. Walnut St., Mount Clemens. (586) 913-1920

Insane Clown Posse at Fillmore Detroit, rap/rock, 7 p.m. Oct. 31. $30. 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit. (313) 961-5450

Creepy Cheapy Halloween with Wolfman Mac, Prussia, Childbite, Allan James and the Cold Wave, Silverghost and more at Crofoot Ballroom, pop/rock, 8 p.m. Oct. 31. $5. 1. S. Saginaw St., Pontiac. (248) 858-9333

Harvest and fall festivals

Harvest Fest at Apple Charlie's, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. every day through Oct. 31. Free. 38035 S. Huron St., New Boston. (734) 753-5308

Corn Maze and Harvest Days at Maybury Farm, 5 p.m. every Fri. and 1 p.m. every Sat.-Sun. in October. $8, $6 ages 3-9. 50165 Eight Mile, Northville. (248) 797-9046

Fair in Fall in downtown Grosse Pointe, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat. Prices vary depending on events. Kercheval and Mack avenues, Grosse Pointe. (313) 881-4722

Coach Izzo Corn Maze at Westview Orchards and Adventure Farm, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun., Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1. $8-$11. 65075 Van Dyke Road, Washington Township. (586) 752-3123 or (866) 986-4386

Harvest Festival at Jollay Orchards, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. every Sat.-Sun. through Nov. 1. $6, free for seniors. 1850 Friday Road, Colomo. (269) 468-3075

Upland Hills Farm Harvest Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun., Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31. $8. 481 Lake George Road, Oxford. (248) 628-1611

Family Fall Fun Fest at Deneweth's Garden Center, noon-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. and Oct. 24-25. $10 per child, free for adults. 16125 22 Mile, Macomb Township. (586) 247-5533

HarvestFest at Eastern Market, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. Free. Russell Street between Mack Avenue and I-75, Detroit. (313) 833-9300

Pick Your Pumpkin Hayrides at Kensington Metropark, noon-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31. $5, $3 seniors and kids. 2240 W. Buno Road, Milford. (248) 685-1561

Applefest at Lewis E. Wint Nature Center, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sun. $3. 9501 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston. (248) 625-0877

Harvest Beer Festival at Eastern Market, 1-6 p.m. Sat. Oct. 24. $35 in advance, $40 at the gate. (877) 772-5425

Kids

Ghosts & Goodies at Crossroads Village, 5-9 p.m. Fri., Oct. 23 and Oct. 26-30 and noon-9 p.m. Sat.-Sun., Oct. 17-18, Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31. $10 trick or treat only, $13 trick or treat and train ride. 6140 Bray Road, Flint. (800) 648-7275 or www.geneseecountyparks.org

Zoo Boo at Detroit Zoo, 6-9 p.m. Fri.-Sun., Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 29-31. $6. Woodward Avenue at I-696 Freeway, Royal Oak. (248) 541-5717

Hallowe'en at Greenfield Village, 6:30-9 p.m. Fri.-Sun. and Oct. 23-25. $15, $12.75 for members. 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn. (313) 982-6001

Special Halloween Mystery Tours at Detroit Institute of Arts, 6-9 p.m. Fri., Oct. 23 and 30. $8, $6 seniors, $4 children. 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit. (313) 833-7900

Halloween Festival at Hines Park, 1-3 p.m. Sat. Free. Hines Drive, east of Ann Arbor Trail, Westland. (734) 261-1990

Fun on the Farm Halloween Party at Kensington Metropark, 10 a.m. Oct. 22. $5 includes hayride and pumpkin. 2240 W. Buno Road, Milford. (248) 684-8632

Halloween Hoot at Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, 6:20 p.m. Oct. 23-24 and 6:10 p.m. Oct. 25. $7 (must be purchased in advance). 333 N. Hill Circle, Rochester. (248) 656-0999

Tots Halloween Fun at Metro Beach Metropark, 1 p.m. Oct. 24. $4. 31300 Metro Parkway, Clinton Township. (586) 463-4332

Little Kids Halloween Party at Indian Springs Metropark, 1 p.m. Oct. 24. $5. 5200 Indian Trail, Clarkston. (248) 625-7280

Treats in the Streets at Detroit Historical Museum, 1-4 p.m. Oct. 25. $6, $4 seniors and kids. 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit. (313) 833-1805

Little Goblins' Night Out at Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 25-26. $9. 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores. (313) 884-4222

Halloween Parade at Sterling Heights Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Oct. 27. Free. 40255 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights. (586) 446-2669

Halloween Storytime at Farmington Community Library, 7-8 p.m. Oct. 28. Free. 32737 W. 12 Mile, Farmington. (248) 553-0300

Halloween Parade in downtown Grosse Pointe, 3:30-4:45 p.m. Oct. 30. Free. Kercheval Avenue between Cadieux Road and Neff Street, Grosse Pointe. (313) 886-7474

The Great Pumpkin Caper at Kellogg Park, 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 30. Free. Registration for costume contest is 5 p.m. West Ann Arbor Trail and South Main Street, Plymouth. (734) 453-1540

Halloween Hijinks at Environmental Interpretive Center, 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 31. Free. University of Michigan-Dearborn campus, Michigan Avenue at Schaefer Highway, Dearborn. (313) 583-6371

Halloween History at Oakwoods Metropark, 11 a.m. Oct. 31. $2. 32911 Willow Road, New Boston. (734) 782-3956

Halloween Hulabaloo at Southfield Public Library, 2-3 p.m. Oct. 31. 26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield. (248) 796-4200

mbaetens@detnews.com (313) 222-2402 Read Melody's blog at www.detnews.com/ melodyblog