October 22, 2014    //    James Feist
It’s that time of year again! Ghosts and goblins begin to run amok in celebration of the end of harvest and the shortening of daylight, which installs the seasonal chill. To most of us, Halloween is simply an unsentimental holiday strictly about harmless fun and treats. Luckily for Alexandria, there is no need to worry about that spooky chill in the air, as we have plenty of happenings to turn up your Halloween heat!
Fall could never be complete without a visit to the pumpkin patch. Experience all the fun at Erickson’s Petting Zoo, open Oct 25th (10am-5pm), 26th (12-5pm) and the week of Halloween Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. For a small entry fee you get access to a large farm with plenty to do and see. Activities include a Petting Zoo, Corn Maze, Trolley Ride, Pumpkin Patches, Pony Rides and countless opportunities for great photos!
They’re Creepy and they’re Kooky, Mysterious and Spooky! I’m talking about The Addams Family of course! Just in time to celebrate the spirit of the season, the Alexandria Area Arts Association’s production of The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy is playing downtown. Don’t miss your chance to see the world’s most famous creepy family. Find out what happens when Wednesday Addams is all grown up and has fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a “normal” family. Excellent music and great laughs! Show runs Oct 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st , and Nov 1st & 2nd. Call 320-762-8300 to secure your tickets!
It’s all Treats and no Tricks during Downtown Alexandria’s Halloween Trick or Treat! Bring the kids and little goblins to Downtown locations from 3-5pm on Halloween for fun and safe Trick or Treating. Browse around the great downtown stores and find a treasure for yourself! Next you could head down to the Viking Plaza Mall for “Mall-o-ween” Trick or Treating at participating stores from 5-7pm.
If scary is your thing, there are two area Haunted Houses that will quench your thirst for the terrifying! Frightmare Farm Haunted Barn is located a few miles north of Alexandria at 5488 Prairie Rd NE, Carlos MN. They are open Oct 24th, 25th and 31st from 7-11pm, and their rates are $5 for ages 12 and under and $10 for 13 and older.
Pope County Fright Nights is located south of Alexandria in Glenwood at 105 2nd Ave NE. This haunt runs on Oct 24th, 25th, 31st and Nov 1st from 7-10pm. Admission is $10 per person….if you dare to take the tour!
Final Fall Color Update: The Alexandria area experienced some outstanding fall colors from mid September to mid October. A combination of late summer moisture and excellent fall weather perpetuated nice colors for a long period of time. We are now past peak for colors. While many trees have dropped their leaves, you can still find some trees around town showing bright yellows and burgundy. Even though we are past peak, we still have some signature autumn attributes to enjoy… crunchy and colorful leaves under our feet on a walk…. and of course jumping in a leaf pile! Keep having fun and visit our Autumn Guide page for trails, parks and more. Happy Haunting!