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FIND SPIRITED FUN THIS SEASON >> FESTIVITIES ABOUND ON HALLOWEEN

Area Halloween activities for kids

Date published: 10/23/2008

By COLLETTE CAPRARA

FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR

It's Halloween season, and lions and tigers and creepy crawlers will be roaming the neighborhood.

But in one special neighborhood, those won't be costumed characters--but the real thing! That would be the National Zoo in Washington, which invites all to celebrate its 10th annual Boo at the Zoo festivities this weekend.

"It's really a fun and unique way to celebrate Halloween in a safe, educational environment," said Jackie Vinick, the zoo's corporate relations manager. "It's an opportunity to see the zoo's animals at night and have fun trick-or-treating."

Visitors, who typically come in costume, will receive snacks, toys and activity booklets at 40 stations throughout the grounds. They'll also be treated to demonstrations and hands-on activities at various animal habitats.

And they'll have an opportunity to witness amazing animal antics, such the elephants' pumpkin stomp and the "great cats" playtime with huge boomer balls.

Weeks of effort and ingenuity have been invested in decorating the zoo for the event, including special lighting effects and a Haunted Barn at the Kids' Farm exhibit.

Throughout the four days of festivities, it's anticipated that nearly 25,000 people will visit the zoo. (Last year, 800,000 treats were handed out.) Reserve tickets right away--Saturday's events are already sold out.

Halloween celebrations closer to home include longstanding traditions, as well as new offerings.

Now through Nov. 2, Bel-vedere Plantation, for its 25th year, is celebrating its Fall Harvest Festival. Activities will include such favorites as the challenging maize maze, zip-lines, the Fun-Barn (with plenty of swinging ropes over piles of hay), and the pumpkin mountain slide (which takes riders on a 100-foot, below-the-ground ride).

Special attractions will also include roaring bonfires and Clydesdale wagon rides.

On Saturday, Hazelwild Farm will also be celebrating a Fall Festival. Activities will include face paintings, pumpkin and cookie decorating, as well as a hay maze and haunted house.

Special features will include a train ride and pony ride. All activities are included with the price of admission.

This weekend, on Friday and Saturday, the Spotsylvania Family Branch of the YMCA will celebrate its annual Creepy Crawly Carnival, 7-9 p.m. There will be plenty of food, games, prizes and special attractions including a haunted house and haunted hayride.

Guests are encouraged to come in costume.

What: Boo at the Zoo Where: Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Washington When: Oct. 23-26, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (sold out: Saturday, Oct. 25) Cost: $15 for members of Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ); $25 nonmembers Info: fonz.org Tickets: 202/397-7328 What: Belvedere Plantation Harvest Festival Where: Belvedere Plantation, off U.S. 17 in Spotsylvania County When: Weekends through Nov. 2. Fridays, 5-10 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $14 Info: 540/373-4478 or belved ereplantation.com What: Hazelwild Farm Fall Festival Where: Hazelwild Farm, 5325 Harrison Road, Fredericksburg When: Oct. 25, 1-5 p.m. (Rain date: Oct. 26) Cost: $12 per child (parents are free) Info: 540/891-8751 What: Spotsylvania YMCA Creepy Crawly Carnival Where: 5700 Smith Station Road When: Oct. 24-25; 7-9 p.m. Cost: $3 carnival; $3 haunted house; $3 hayride Info: 540/ 735-9622, or family -ymca.org What: Halloween Spookover Where: Stafford Gymnastics Center, 500 Nelms Circle Cost: $30 per child (ages 5 through 12) When: Oct. 24, 8 p.m.-8 a.m. Info: 540/658-5115 or staffordparks.com What: Halloween preschool costume party When: Oct. 29, 1-3 p.m. (ages 3 through 5) Where: Stafford Gymnastics Center, 500 Nelms Circle Cost: $15 per child Info: 540/658-5115 or staffordparks.com What: Halloween Spooktacular preschool party When: Oct. 31, 10-11 a.m. Where: Rowser Building, 1739 Jeff Davis Highway Cost: $8 Stafford residents, $10 nonresidents (ages 2-50) (register by Oct. 24) Info: 540/658-4871 or staffordparks.com What: Fredericksburg's Finally Friday Peace, Love and Halloween celebration Where: Sophia Street lot at George Street When: Oct. 31, 6-9:30 p.m. Cost: $4 adults; $3 ages 13-20; $1 ages 6-12. (Drink tickets are $3.) Info: 540/372-1086 or fred ericksburgva.gov What: Ladysmith Newland Communities Pumpkin Festival Where: Ladysmith Village Outdoor Amphitheater, 17276 Camellia Drive, Ruther Glen When: Oct. 25, 1-8 p.m. Cost: Donations; benefits Life Is Good Kids' Foundation Info: 804/448-4529 or newlandpumpkinfestival.com

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Date published: 10/23/2008

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