TodayHauntings, tricks and treats come to town starting this week
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Jack Myers, of N. West Street in Carlisle, adjusts the seven foot tall Frankenstein in front of his home on Thursday morning as he gets ready for the Halloween season. (Jason Malmont/The Sentinel)
Halloween has come a long way from its origin some 2,000 years ago when the Celts celebrated the end of summer, the harvest and the beginning of winter, to today when children dressed in $20 costumes traipse from door to door expecting candy.
According to the Web site, www.history.com, the day has evolved through the ages from offering sacrifices to the Celtic deities, to honoring the Roman goddess of fruit and trees and saints and martyrs to a secular celebration of the season with parades and parties.
Halloween is second only to Christmas as America’s largest commercial holiday.
Residents of Cumberland County have lots of opportunities to celebrate Halloween:
“Undertakings: Retribution,” weekends through Nov. 1 at the Shippensburg Fairgrounds.
The event is the brainchild of Shippensburg native Riley Cameron. Cameron says that the haunted house is suitable for ages 12 and up and parents should use discretion about bringing younger children. The event is open 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Sundays.
Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 12 and under. Adults can receive a $2 discount on Fridays with a coupon, and special rates are available for groups of 10 or more people who sign up 24 hours in advance. All proceeds are used to make Undertakings bigger and better. For more information, to receive a coupon or to sign up as a group, go to www.dbdcreations.com.
“Terror Behind Bars” is held Friday and Saturday nights through Nov. 1 at the old Franklin County Jail on Franklin Farm Lane in Chambersburg. Cost is $13 for adults, $10 for children 13 and under. Proceeds benefit the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and the Stacy Reed Children’s Fund.
Haunted hay rides sponsored by Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association. Rides leave every half hour from 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, weather permitting, at the WGHSEA, 1 Steam Engine Hill. Admission is $5 per person, children under 2 may enter for free.
Make your own witch gourd for ages 16 and older, 6 p.m. Monday. The program is offered by Carlisle Parks and Recreation. Registration required in advance. Cost is $25 for residents, $29 for others.
The 13th Annual Streets of Treats will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. This family oriented event features safe trick or treating at downtown businesses, scarecrow making, a pumpkin patch and other children’s activities.
Also Saturday, Ghost Tours & More of Mechanicsburg from 5 to 9 p.m. Tours meet in front of Civil War and More near the square and will be led by John Weaver and Melissa Telesha of the Spirit Society of Pennsylvania. The event will include a wine tasting from Adams County Winery, as well as book signings by nationally known paranormal author, Mark Nesbitt. Joining him are local authors Kelly Weaver, Craig Telesha and Melissa Griffith-Telesha. An “Area Haunts” presentation will be made by John Weaver at 8:30 p.m. at 2nd Floor Gallery, 105 S. Market St.
Halloween at Pinchot Park will be celebrated from 2 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 25. The event will feature kid’s games and activities at the nature center on Saturday afternoon, followed by trick or treating through the campground at dusk. The evening will end with a bonfire on the beach at bathhouse seven.
Halloween at Little Buffalo State Park will be celebrated from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25 at the park, 1579 State Road, Newport. Enjoy ghost stories, pumpkin carving, haunted hayrides and refreshments. The free event will be held at the dam breast boat launch. Donations are accepted and large groups attending should pre-register by contacting the park office at 567-9255.
Ghost Walk Tour of Historic Churchtown, Oct. 25. Tours leave every 20 minutes beginning at 6:30 p.m. from the Church of God pavilion, 351 Old Stonehouse Rd. Cost is $5 and includes the “Haunted Alley.” Large groups should reserve space by calling 245-9005. Sponsored by the Friends of the Rural and Historic Churchtown Area.
The 5th Annual Halloween Egg Hunt will be held at 4 p.m. Oct. 26 at Village Park in North Middleton Township.
Parade line-up will begin at 3:30 p.m. with the parade following. Children ages up to 10 years are eligible to participate in the parade and egg hunt. The event will be held rain or shine. For additional information, call 243-8550.
