Halloween Attractions and Events: Central New York (2008)

With the goblins and ghosts preparing to rise on October 31st, Central New York offers plenty of activities and attractions to enjoy for the Halloween season. Whether it's holding your breath while traveling throughout a frightening haunted house, bopping for apples, or bundling up as you enjoy the bumpiness of a hayride, you're sure to take pleasure in the following events happening before, on and even after the witches and black cats take advantage of their special day:

Fayetteville Library CarniFall: This year, the Fayetteville Free Library will host their first annual CARNIFFALL - an exciting carnival with a Halloween theme - just for one afternoon on Saturday, October 25th. With fun activities to entice the whole family, from parents to older kids to toddlers, the carnival supplies games, prizes, spooky Haunted House, and a chance to tackle the Wii. A contest offers an opportunity to show off your pumpkin decorating and carving skills. Guests are encouraged to come in costume as well. Other activities include: Nail Art, Dancing in the Dark, Mystery Box, Balloon Animals, Spider Cups, and Hair Beads.

Date: Saturday, October 25th

Time: 11am to 3pm

Location: 300 Orchard Street (Fayetteville, NY)

Price: Free

Zoo Boo: What better place to search for things that go 'bump' in the night than to spend an evening at the creature-filled highlight of Syracuse that provides a family-friendly outing with a hay bale maze, interactive critters, and treats for kids that exit the zoo. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 315- 435-8511 (x113).

Date: October 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th

Time: 6pm - 8:30pm

Location: Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Pl # 1 (Syracuse, NY)

Price: Advance sale member ($3.50), Advance sale non-member ($4), At the door ($5), Children under three (free).

Fright Nights at the Fair: Four haunted houses await your curiosity and bravery, as the State Fairgrounds opens up to present the Crypt, Frankenstein's Mansion, the Circus of Horror, and CarnEvil Macabre. Keep in mind that this attraction is recommended for ages 9 or older.

Date: September 28th - October 31st

Time: (Fridays and Saturdays- 7pm - 11:30pm; Sundays - 7:30pm - 11pm)

Location: Empire Expo Center/NYS Fairgrounds (581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse NY)

Price: Single Attraction Ticket - $10 ($8 group price); Multi Attraction Ticket - $15 ($10 group price)

Halloween in the Park: With magicians, live music and other entertainment promise to bring in the holiday on the right foot, the Longbranch Park will welcome visitors of all ages to enjoy a pre-celebration of the Halloween season. Some of the activities to look forward include hayrides led by tractors, carnival games, tasty edibles, and costume contests for humans and their furry companies.

Date and Time: October 26th (3pm to 9pm) and October 27th (10am to 9pm)

Location: Longbranch Park, Longbranch Road (Liverpool, NY)

Price: Adults ($7); Kids 6 to 8 years old ($5); Under 6 years old (free)

Halloween Party for UNICEF: Donations are being accepted at this Halloween extravaganza organized by the Catholic Single Adult Ministry, where guests are treated to bobbing for apples, snacks, drinks, costume contest, and haunted house. All proceeds will go to benefit UNICEF.

Date: October 25, 2008

Time: 7pm - 9pm

Location: Holy Trinity Parish Center, 501 Park Street (Syracuse, NY)

The Last Ride Haunted House & Hayride: Family fun is taking place every weekend in October with the Last Ride Haunted House & Hayride, where a haunted house, rousing hayride, and the latest addition to this Halloween attraction - VIP hearse rides are ready to bring delight.

Time: 7pm to 11pm

Location: 291 Johnson Road (Palermo, NY)

Price: $7

Motorcycle Enthusiast Halloween Party: You don't have to be a member of ABATE of Onondaga County to enjoy the Halloween get-together that awards prizes for the best costume. For more details, call 315-455-1073.

Date: October 25th

Location: Loop Grill, 1114 Wolf St (Syracuse, NY)

Price: $5 Donation (Members), $7 Donation (Non-members)

Red Bull Trick Or Treat: For the BMX enthusiast or any wide-eyed child that enjoys high-flying stunts, the Halloween event kicking off in Rochester, NY will prove quite rewarding. More than 30 of the best BMX riders will take into the air and treat guests to many tricks. The Rochester Main Street Armory will transform into Halloween themed obstacles, including coffin-shaped barriers and gravesite decorations.

Date: October 25th

Time: 7pm-9:30pm

Location: Rochester Main Street Armory, 900 East Main Street (Rochester NY)

Price: Free

Halloween Massacre: Enjoy the sounds of Under the Gun, Dead Rose, Whiskey Mae, and 3 Inch Fury and The Reissues for a 95X and Labatt hosted post-Halloween bash that allows you to make good use of your costumes more than one time around.

Date: November 1st

Time: 8pm

Location: Landmark Theatre (Syracuse, NY)

Ticket Prices: $12 (in advance), $15 (at the door)

Need a Pumpkin? Local Pumpkin Patches

In order to truly get into the holiday spirit, the pumpkin serves as one of the most recognizable images of the Halloween season. In case you were wondering about places to get pumpkins in Central New York, consider the following local haunts, which also offers additional activities and attractions to enjoy:

• Abbott Farms: 3275 Cold Springs Road, Baldwinsville, NY - pumpkin patch-pick in the field, corn maze, wagon rides, and petting zoo
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• Hourigan Family Dairy: 3427 Amber Road, Syracuse, NY - pumpkin patch, horse-drawn hayrides, and tractor-pulled hay rides
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• The Pumpkin Patch: 7169 Island Road, Cicero, NY - pumpkin patch, corn maze, and tractor-pulled hay rides
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• Critz Farms: 3232 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia, NY - pick-your-own-pumpkin and the Haunted Barn for Little Monsters
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