Guide to Celebrating Halloween in Fresno, CA

It's almost that time of year when we go out to find a screaming good time. There are several haunted houses, a haunted forest and a corn maze to enjoy, as we get closer to celebrating All Hallows Eve.
It's almost that time of year when we go out to find a screaming good time. There are several haunted houses, a haunted forest and a corn maze to enjoy, as we get closer to celebrating All Hallows Eve.

I had the experience of going through a new haunted house located in downtown Fresno a couple of weeks ago. It was very incomplete but I could tell how effective and downright scary it will be when it's completed. My girlfriend's daughter will be working there for a few nights as an actress in one of the venues. The couple that owns this house used to put on quite a scary show at their home in Clovis for the past few years. In fact, they won a national award last year for the best "non-commercial" haunted house.

Perhaps the most well know haunted house in this area is not a haunted house at all. It's a haunted forest locating near a river in a small town about 30 minutes south of Fresno. Satterstrom Farms offer daytime activities starting on Oct. 1 this year. That's a Sunday, and I think they might actually open on Sat. Sept. 30th. However, there was no answer when I called to ask about this. These activities include an animal zoo, Goblinville - bounce houses and playground, horse-drawn hayrides and shopping for crafts and novelties. There are also snacks available and a pumpkin patch with pumpkins of all sizes and shapes. The spooky and scary nighttime activity starts on the second Friday night in October. If you dare venture out after dark, you may experience a walk through their Haunted Forest. I found it scary during the daytime! So I can't even imagine walking through it on a foggy night. It's near a river so the valley fog makes it even spookier. They also have a Howling Haunted House and Spooktacular Hayride. It's not recommended for children under the age of ten. Be prepared to wait quite awhile to get in, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. They have crafts and novelties for you to buy and snacks available while you wait. (Visit them at satterstrom.com for more details.)

The Corn Maze at Historic Cobb Ranch opens on Sept. 24 and remains open through Halloween Night. They will also have a special fall festival, the Great Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 16 and 17. In addition to a pumpkin patch, they'll have arts and crafts, an animal farm, mini mazes, contests and other activities. Cobb Ranch is located on north Hwy. 41, between Fresno and Madera. You can print discount coupons off of their website. (Go to cornfieldmaze.com for the coupon and more information.)

Next is a haunted house located in Sanger, called Hobb's Grove. Again, the valley fog will be swirling around in the nighttime hours making it very ghostly indeed. Here is what they have to say on their website -
"Hobb's Grove has a Halloween atmosphere that is unsurpassed. Nighttime brings you the dreaded Zylo's Woods, filled with beings tucked in every fold of the forest. The twisted trip through Hobb's Back Woods Home has one wrong turn after another and the Hayride into Shadows' Keep holds many fun and frightening encounters. The spirits at Hobb's Grove transform things from season to season in order to keep their prey unsettled."

It turns out they're not too far from my house so I think I'd better check them out so none of those 100 ghosts and goblins wander over my way. Adults are asked not to dress in costume so they are not mistaken for Hobb actors; children age ten and under are encouraged to dress up. (Visit their website at hobbsgrove.com for more details.)

I'm sure there are other haunted houses I'm not aware of and many businesses, organizations and churches will be sponsoring Halloween parties and, of course, there is always the "trick or treat" on Halloween Night.

For your Halloween's supplies, you'll find several "Spirit" stores all around Fresno and Clovis. The Dollar Tree Stores always have a great selection of items for a great price and Valley Novelty has relocated to North Blackstone on the west side of the street between Ashlan and Herndon. Then, there are also the Michael's Crafts Stores and JoAnn's and Hancock Fabric stores.

Happy Hauntin'