Four Halloween Activities Held in Deschutes County, Oregon

First off is the Central Oregon's Pumpkin Festival, first held in 1989, They will hold their annual Halloween event on Saturday, October 21st from 10am to 4pm. This year they will have over 4,000 pumpkins for families to choose from and will offer fun for families including crafts, hayrides and farm animals. The festival features carnival booths, food and live entertainment for the public to enjoy. This is not a scary event because it is coordinated for young families to enjoy without the creepy crawlies or horror screams. For children, there is an all-activity pass available for $9 and it includes one pumpkin. Else wise it is 50 cents per activity ticket. This event will take place at Tillicum Park. Please call 541-389-7275 for more information. This event is dog free so please leave your friendly companions at home.

Also, there will be the Howling Halloween Dance for ages 18 and older held Saturday October 28th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The cost is $15 per person. The evening embarks on a scrumptious dinner, followed by dancing and a Halloween Costume contest. Come dressed in your favorite Halloween Costume and enjoy dinner and dancing to the most wanted tunes! You could possibly win this years Halloween costume contest. This event will be held at: Hollinshead Barn on 12th street in Bend. Bend Parks and Recreation provides buses to and from the event and can carry 15 passengers at a time. Also offered is a handicapped-accessible Van. Catch either on the corner of Norton and Kearny streets. Pick up time is 6pm. Please call 541-389-7275 for more information.

If you're still aching for action, the 6th annual Bend Fall Festival will be held October 7th and 8th. Saturday hours are 11am-10pm and Sunday from 11am-6pm and will be held in the streets of downtown Bend. There are displays of fine art, food, wine, music and Microbrews in The Grove Garden and will feature contests with lots of family fun. This year's contests include "Best Central Oregon Pumpkin Pie" with a top prize of $100! Pumpkin Carving is for 18 and older, and Pumpkin Painting is for 17 and younger. Please call (541) 948-7450 to pre-register for these contests as space is limited. There is a food court set up in the Wells Fargo parking lot on Wall street featuring twenty local restaurants. The streets will be closed for this event in downtown Bend beginning Friday at 10pm to Sunday at Midnight.

Finally, the Central Oregon Pumpkin Co. presents October family fun and the Maize. The Maize hours are Friday 3 to 8pm, Saturday, 9am to 8pm and Sunday, 9am-6pm. Admission as follows: Children 5 and under Free, Children 6-11, $5.00, ages 12 and over $7.00. The Pumpkin Patch hours are Monday-Friday 12 to 6 pm and Saturday-Sunday 9am to 6pm. The pumpkin Patch opens October 1st. There's a seven acre corn stalk maze named "Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald city of OZ". Thru the maize you will experience the sound track of the Wizard of Oz. And be careful as you may end up in the Witches Hay Castle. Old fashioned Hayrides are available every Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm and enjoy Horse Drawn Covered Wagon Rides pulled by beautiful Clydesdale horses! Beginning October 8th, the Central Oregon Pumpkin Company will be serving a delightful BBQ every Saturday and Sunday and coffee lovers can enjoy Hava-Java Coffee Company's espresso, lattes plus lots more. Other activities included the Pumpkin Cannon, Zoo train and Hay Forts for kids of all ages. A petting zoo set up and sponsored by local 4H groups and pony rides will also be featured. Central Oregon Pumpkin Patch Co. is located at 1250 NW Wilcox Ave, in Terrebonne. For more information please call 541-504-1414.