Halloween Contest: Local Attractions

If you noticed the craved pumpkins on neighbor's doorsteps, the witch's hat and fake cobwebs in the area, it should tell you Halloween is around the corner. You can expect people dress in the wildest costumes like their favorite celebrities or who they're voting for president. You can also expect the kids to join in on the fun too. Here are some great Halloween Events in DC and Suburban Maryland.

Freight Fest at Six Flags: Every October, Six Flags in Largo, MD holds one of the Washington, DC Area's largest Halloween Celebration. For this year's festivities, the events include a haunted hay ride, a freighting disco inferno, magic shows, ghost walkers and more. The event takes place Saturday and Sunday from October 4^th to November 2^nd. Operating hours are: Friday: 5-10 p. m., Saturdays and Sundays: 12 noon - 10 p. m. You can order your tickets in advance by clicking this link.

Boo At The Zoo: We all know the National Zoo in Washington, DC is home to some wild animals like Pandas, tigers and more. However, Creatures that go bump in the night are making their way to the Zoo for Halloween. From October 23-26, Boo at the Zoo is a safe and fun way for families with children ages two to 12 to enjoy the fall holiday. This event will have the traditional spiders, owls, and other animals on hand every day. Plus the Zoo's traffic-free walkways and many animal houses will make trick or treating a kid-friendly activity. In addition, you can check out the new Asia Trail. Tickets are $13 FONZ members (limit of six tickets per order), $23 for non FONZ members, and kids under two are free. It's one family friendly event you can't miss.

Bennett's Curse: Entering its 8^th year, Bennett's Curse has quickly established itself as Maryland's "must see" Halloween event. It tells the story of rise and fall of Castle Bennett. This year's attraction in the House of Vampyres includes Dominion of Darkness and Sanctuary of Insanity. Bennett's Curse takes place on the Weekends starting September 26 through November 1. It's located in Arundel Mills Mall on 7000 Arundel Mills Circle in Hanover, MD. Tickets are $20, or you can get your speed pass for $30.

Goatman Hallow: Inspired by the Urban Legend of the GoatMan of Prince Georges County Maryland, Goatman Hallow uses movie effects and studio lighting; our haunt tells an involving story, performed by outstanding improvisational actors along with mystifying illusionists and set in a wonderfully creepy location, complete with hot and cold running chills. This venue has been featured on television shows like The Outdoor Life Network: Creepy Canada, Living TV: 666 Search For Satan and The Travel Channel: Americas Scariest Halloween Attractions 2 (2007). This haunted attraction runs from October 3^rd to November 1^st. This attraction is intended for adults and children over the age of 9 due to its graphic content. Goatman Hallow is located in the old John C. Dorsey building on 6100 Rhode Island Ave., Riverdale MD. 20737. Tickets are $10, and they be purchased on this link.

Markoff Haunted Forest: Since 1993, it has become one of the hottest Halloween destinations in the state of Maryland. It's one of the few haunt in the DC area that year after year gets the best reviews! Among the featured activities at the Haunted Forest include: Haunted Hayrides, Spider Walk, Bat Fight, Death Jump and the Haunted Bus. The forest is on 19120 Martinsburg Road in Dickerson, MD. The event runs from October 4^th to November 1^st. It opens from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weeknights and 6 p.m. to 10: 30 p.m. on weekends until Halloween. Ticket prices range from $10-$25 depending on when you attend this show.

Tulip Gulch Productions presents Country Terror: One of the longest running haunted houses in Prince George's County returns to Prince George's Stadium in Bowie, MD. This year's event features a VERY INTENSE Haunted House located INSIDE on the Upper Deck level of the Stadium and showcases 40 UNDEAD actors, SCORES of props and THOUSANDS of screams! (Waiting area is located under cover on our concourse. This Halloween event is rated PG-13 because to images and themes not suitable for young guests. County Terror runs weekends from October 10^th to November 1^st. Tickets are $20, and the gates open at 6 p.m.

FearGrounds: Merriweather Post Pavilion is your home for Halloween fun. For the kids, there is Pumpkinfest. It's family friendly event that includes games prizes, music, baby disco, obstacle course and more. For teens and young adults, we have Hauntfest. Attractions for this event include 2 haunted attractions, various entertainers and a scary movie feature each night. FearGrounds runs from October 9^th to November 1^st. The Pumpkin Fest runs from 4-7 p.m., while Haunt Fest runs from 7-11 p.m. Tickets for Pumpkinfest are $10 for Adult and $8 for Kids ages 4 to 12 years. Tickets for Hauntfest is $10, $30 gives you the R.I.P Pass that gives to cut the line admission for Fridays and Saturdays. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.

Field of Screams: Field of Screams returns for more spooky good times as it heads back to Olney, MD. The main attractions for this year's event include Corn Maze of Mayhem, Haunted Lands of Olney, A Haunted Hayride and Blazing Bonfires. The Field of Screams is located on 4501 Olney-Laytonsville Road in Olney Maryland. The event runs from October 3^rd to November 1^st. Tickets vary based on attraction. The Field of Screams is a fundraising event for the Olney Boys & Girls Community Sports Association.

National Building Museum Ghost Tour: National Building Museum is known for exhibits on buildings and built environments. However, most don't know about the building's haunted past. This Halloween Season, you'll see the other side of this amazing building. Guests will explore who are the irritable rider on horseback and the footless figure. Why are there mysterious faces swirling in the 75 foot Corinthian columns? And, why do these ghosts (and more!) call the National Building Museum their home? All will be revealed on this behind-the-scenes tour of the mysteries of the Museum. The Ghost Tour runs from October 17^th to October 28^th. Tickets are $12 for its members and $18 for its non-members.

Halloween Magic at Discovery Theater: Discovery Theater has something magical for the kids this Halloween. This year's Halloween event features a tricks-�â'¬Ëœn'-treats Smithsonian magic show with the amazing prestidigitators (wizards, illusionists, or just cool magic guys!) of 'D's Magic'. Lead by Dave Thomen, his visual show that combines comedy and magic, illusions choreographed to music, and audience participation. Dave's magical style draws from his playful, interactive relationship with the audience: always humorous and guaranteed to amuse, he thrills the participants on stage as they experience magic first hand. D's Magic will be at the Discovery Theater from October 23-25.

Orchestra From Planet X at the Kennedy Center: As part of the NSO Family Concert Series, the Magic Circle Mime Company returns to perform their program with the Orchestra that unique mash up of sci-fi thriller and an exploration of American music. See what happens when two devious but somewhat bumbling space creatures try to take over an NSO performance and then, the world! It's an entertaining show at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall on October 12^th. Tickets are $15-18.

Mermaids, Monsters and the World Painted Purple at the Kennedy Center: Award-winning Latino playwright Marco Ramirez returns to the Kennedy Center with 5 five imaginative stories capture the spirit and heart of his rich, distinctive culture. Stories include a video game versus a monster on subway, a girl who battles the devil to save her dad and many more. This performance runs from October 10^th to 26^th at Kennedy Center Family Stage. Tickets are $18, and the performance is intended for viewers 9 years and older.