Community

A guide to October events across the U.P.

ESCANABA -- From haunted attractions and fall festivals to costume contests and Halloween parties, the Upper Peninsula offers plenty of ways to embrace the spooky season this October. This list highlights area Halloween and autumnal events:

BARK RIVER

The all-new Halloween Carnival, put on by Ever After Decorating, will be held Saturday, Oct. 31, from 3 to 5 p.m. in Bark River-Harris High School's old gym, W471 US Highway 2, US-41. The event will feature an adult and children’s costume contest, games, music and dancing, a selfie station, crafts, balloon twisting, gourd decorating and more. There is a fee to enter.

CORNELL

This year, Rappette's Haunted Corn Maze at 4641 21st Rd in Cornell will occur on Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, from 7:30 to 11 p.m. There is an admission fee for all ages.

ESCANABA

The third annual EscanaBOO Festival at the UP State Fairgrounds, 2401 12th Ave N, will be held Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature an autumnal market with over 100 vendors, food trucks, fall photo opportunities, a children's scavenger hunt, costume contest and children's prizes. There is a fee to enter, though children 10-years-old and under enter free. For vendor information, contact Kathleen Blanchard at (262) 894-3410.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resource's Escanaba Pocket Park within the UP State Fairgrounds, 2401 12th Ave N, will host a Halloween Bash on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 2 to 6 p.m. The event will include a Trick-or-Treat Trail, haunted house, games and costume contest. Prizes will be awarded to the winner of different age categories: newborn to three, four to eight, nine to 13 years old and 14 years and older.

GWINN

Haunted hayrides, presented by Anna Dravland, will be offered on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., as well as Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at the Marquette County Fairgrounds, 715 State Highway M553 in Gwinn. Children under the age of six are discouraged from attending, and carry ins are prohibited.

GLADSTONE

In partnership with Saunders Point Brewing and Michigan State University (MSU) Yooper Forestry -- MSU Forestry Innovation Center -- the City of Gladstone will host the Great Gladstone Harvest Festival on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 2 to 6 p.m. in Downtown Gladstone. Attendees can enjoy an autumnal farmers market, a pumpkin path, photo opportunities, trick-or-treating and fall themed activities hosted by downtown businesses. Costumes are welcome.

IRON MOUNTAIN

The Downtown Iron Mountain Pumpkin Walk, presented by DTE Energy Foundation and Sanford Health-Marshfield Clinic, will take place Saturday, Oct. 24, from 12 to 3 p.m. beginning on the corner of A Street and Iron Mountain Street. The event will feature a lively costume contest, face painting by D's Creative Faces, mini-pumpkin painting, a costume contest for children and Ghoulie Glowing Golfing at the Dickinson County Library across the street. It should be noted that Iron Mountain Street is not closed during the event — attendees are advised to watch for cars when crossing from the parking lot to the library.

MANISTIQUE

Haunted lighthouse tours will be held at the Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse, 905 S. Seul Chiox Rd in Gulliver, on Saturday, Oct. 17 and 24 from 6 to 10 p.m. The non-scary tour is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m., with the scary tour from 7 to 10 p.m. There is a fee to enter. The event is sponsored by the Gulliver Historical Society, Inc.

Habitat for Humanity HiawathaLand, located in the Blanchard Center at 401 Deer St, will be hosting their annual Haunted House Fundraiser from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23; Saturday, Oct. 24; Friday, Oct. 30; and Saturday, Oct. 31. There is a fee to enter. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Along with trick-or-treating, the Highway 2 Community Drive-In Theater, located east of Manistique on US-2 across from the Schoolcraft County Airport, will be screening two movies for the 11th annual Fright Night on Saturday, Oct. 24. At dusk, the theater will be screening the PG film "Goosebumps" (2015), followed by the R-rated film, "Saw" (2004). The Manistique Area Kiwanis will be operating concessions.

The Kewadin Manistique Casino, 5630 W US-2, will be hosting their All Hallows Eve event Saturday, Oct. 31, beginning at 1 p.m. The event will include live music by Blacklist, drink features, a costume contest and cash prizes.

A Halloween scavenger hunt will be held at Campfire Shores, 6596 US-2, on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 3 to 5 p.m.

MARQUETTE

Lasers on the Ore Dock, a free laser-art show presented by Fresh Coast Light Lab and Travel Marquette, will go from Thursday, Oct. 29 through Saturday, Oct. 31, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 200 N Lakeshore Blvd.

The annual Queen City Trick or Trot 5K/10K will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon to 3 p.m. (EDT), beginning on the 100 block of Washington Street. Race-day registration closes at 11:30 a.m. The Kids Monster Mile, open to children ages 1 through 12, will run from 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 31. The Kids Monster Mile will begin on the bike path in front of Thill's Parking Lot, near the Old Ore Dock. Registration for the Kids Monster Mile closes at 10:30 a.m. on race day. Registration fees apply to all races. Participants in the 5K and 10K will receive a medal, custom socks and a free scoop of gelato courtesy of Provisions MQT. Kids Monster Mile participants will receive a Monster Mile medal. Proceeds from the event will benefit JJ Packs and the Negaunee High School Athletics Booster Club, and tickets are available through RunSignup online. Costumes are encouraged, and participants can compete in a costume contest. Due to the event being on Halloween, there will be no Post Race Party.

The Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum, 123 W Baraga Ave, will host their adults-only Never Grow Up Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 30, from 7 to 10 p.m., featuring music, drinks, food, games, museum-wide activities and a costume contest. A ticket includes light food and two drinks, and more drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased on the museum's website.

MENOMINEE

The Menominee Recreation Department will host this year’s Pumpkin Patch: A Free Halloween Party to take place Sunday, Oct. 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Henes Park 3rd Pavilion for children ages three to 10 years old. Games, prizes, bounce houses and a scavenger hunt will be available. Registration is required. To register, email a child's name, age and a phone number to parksandrec@menomineemi.gov. Henes Park will be closed to vehicular traffic from 12 to 5 p.m.

RAPID RIVER

An elementary Halloween Carnival sponsored by the Rapid River Key Club will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria and Rocket Hub room of Rapid River School, 10070 U.S. 2. There is an entry fee to attend. Game tickets will be available for purchase, as well as concessions from the Rapid River Sports Boosters.

——

Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021, ext. 148, or svogelmann@dailypress.net.