Fall fun without fear: Family-friendly seasonal events in full swing around the region
Oct. 18—Halloween can be a scary time for little ones.
For those who don't look forward to feeling spooked, check out suggestions for the biggest family-friendly attractions and events in Northeast Pennsylvania where kids can have fun without fear.
Just make sure to check with individual venues before you head out for pricing and up-to-date information. Don't forget to top off the month with candy and other goodies at trunk-or-treat events. Find a full list of events online.
Roba Family Farms
Where: 200 Cranston Ave., North Abington Twp.
When: Open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3 to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Details: Find more than 30 attractions, including the new Glowing Pumpkin Trail, through Oct. 29. The weekend before Halloween there are costume contests, trick-or-treating and more. (robafamilyfarms.com, Roba Family Farms on Facebook)
Lakeland Orchard & Cidery
Where: 1649 Lakeland Drive, Scott Twp.
When: Open Thursdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Details:: Pick your own apples, ride the Lakeland Express and see the Halloween Light Show through Oct. 29. (lakelandorchard.com, Lakeland Orchard & Cidery on Facebook)
Ritter's Cider Mill
Where: 117 Wimmers Road, Jefferson Twp.
When: Open daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Details: Enjoy homemade cider and baked goods, as well as attractions like a corn maze, hay rides and an apple slingshot. There's no cost of admission, but prices and availability vary for attractions. (ritterscidermill.com, Ritter's Cider Mill on Facebook)
Ritter's Farm Market
Where: 991 Hamlin Highway, Lake Ariel
When: Open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (market only, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Details: Ritter's Farm Market presents its inaugural Fall Festival through Oct. 28 with a corn maze, pumpkin picking, cornhole competitions and other activities. (rittersfarmmarket.com, Ritter's Farm Market on Facebook)
Whistle Pig Pumpkin Patch
Where: 3369 Route 29, Noxen
When: Through October, open Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m.; moonlight corn maze, Fridays and Saturdays, 5 to 9 p.m.
Details: Attractions include hayrides, pumpkin picking, a corn maze and more. (whistlepigpumpkin.com, Whistle Pig Pumpkin Patch on Facebook)
Brown Hill Farms
Where: 405 E. Avery Station Road, Tunkhannock
When: Check the Brown Hill Farms Facebook page for hours.
Details: There's lots to do at the farm, from the corn maze and pumpkin picking to potato cannons. New attractions this year include a corn pit and a giant sandbox. (brownhillfarms.com)
Maylath Farm & Orchard
Where: 608 Rock Glen Road, Sugarloaf Twp.
When: Through October, open Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Details: Ride the new Mega Ride-N-Slide and find classic attractions like a corn maze, hayrides and more. (maylathfarm.com, Maylath's Farm & Orchard on Facebook)
Pumpkin Walk
When: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Oct. 31
Where: Creekside Gardens, 4 Village Lane, Tunkhannock
Details: See hundreds of pumpkins on display at Creekside through Halloween for no cost of admission. Visitors can purchase an "I Spy" card for $5. (creek sidegardens.com, Creekside Gardens on Facebook)
Pumpkin Patch Express
When: Weekends in October
Where: The Stourbridge Line, 812 Main St., Honesdale
Details: Take a train ride to a pumpkin patch for outdoor games like pumpkin bowling, photo-ops and picking your own pumpkin. (thestourbridgeline.net or The Stourbridge Line on Facebook)
Excursion to Fall Foliage Festival
When: Weekends in October
Where: 718 N. Main St., Pittston
Details: Take a train ride from Pittston to the Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival for scenic autumn views, live music, downtown shopping and more. (rbmnrr-passenger.com or 610-562-2102)
Halloween Fest
When: Saturday, Oct. 21
Where: Electric City Trolley Museum, 300 Cliff St., Scranton
Details: Trolley rides featuring Melinda the Magical Witch depart at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., and 12:45 and 1:30 p.m. From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the museum will have special activities and a costume contest, with winners announced at 12:30. (ectma.org or Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton, PA on Facebook)
Halloween Storytime with the Animals
When: Friday, Oct. 27, and Tuesday, Oct. 31, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, 336 Oak Drive, Dalton
Details: Join the rescue farm animals at Indraloka for a spooky storytime. Registration is required. (indraloka.org or Indraloka Animal Sanctuary on Facebook)
"Ghostbusters" (PG)
When: Friday, Oct. 27, 1 and 7:30 p.m.
Where: F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, 71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre
Details: There's something strange in the neighborhood. Audiences will have two chances to see the 1984 classic before Halloween. (kirbycenter.org or F.M. Kirby Center on Facebook)
Excursion to "Ghoulsboro"
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m.
Where: Steamtown National Historic Site, 350 Cliff St., Scranton
Details: Hop on the train to celebrate Halloween in Gouldsboro. Costumes are encouraged. Riders will return to Scranton by 3 p.m. (nps.gov/stea or Steamtown National Historic Site on Facebook)
Thrill the World: A Worldwide "Thriller" Flash Mob
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m.
Where: Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, 420 N. Washington Ave.
Details: Join the SCC as it attempts to break a world record for the "Largest Simultaneous Dance to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller.'" Participants of all ages can learn the dance Thursday, Oct. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m., and Thursday, Oct. 26, from 6 to 7 p.m. (advanced class) or through video tutorials on their own. Dancers must pay a $20 fee. (scrantonculturalcenter.org or Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple on Facebook)
Trunk-or-treats
Circle Drive-In
The Trunk-or-Treat and Halloween Marketplace is a free event, including local vendors and artisans. There will be prizes for best decorated trunk, best costume and best vendor setup.
When: Saturday, Oct. 21, noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Circle Drive-In, 1911 Scranton/Carbondale Highway, Dickson City
Details: Circle Drive-In on Facebook
Gin's Tavern
Trunk-or-Treat in the parking lot of Gin's Tavern.
When: Sunday, Oct. 22, noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Gin's Tavern, 268 PA-107, Factoryville
Details: Gin's Trunk-or-Treat on Facebook
Sky Zone
Sky Zone will open its parking lot for its sixth annual trunk-or-treat to raise money for the Pittston Twp. Police K-9 Unit. The event is free, but donations are appreciated. Sky Zone will offer 60 minutes of jumping for $10.
When: Friday, Oct. 27, 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Sky Zone Pittston, 195 Enterprise Way, Pittston
Details: Sky Zone Pittston on Facebook
Dietrich Theater
Trick-or-treat at the theater and enjoy a free showing of "The Spiderwick Chronicles."
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock
Details: 570-836-1022 or dietrichtheater.com
Van Scott Nature Reserve
Trick-or-treat along the Wildflower Trail and learn about the creepy crawly animals of the woods.
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Van Scott Nature Reserve, 571 Perkins Pond Rd., Beach Lake
Details: 570-226-3164 or delawarehighlands.org
Brick United Methodist Church
Enjoy cider, doughnuts and face painting, as well as lots of candy at Brick United Methodist Church's Second Annual Trunk-or-Treat.
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: 935 Foote Ave., Duryea
Details: Brick United Methodist Church on Facebook
Creative and Performing Arts Academy of NEPA
Stop by CaPAA's family-friendly Enchanted Trunk-or-Treat. There will be activities, games and entertainment, in addition to 50-plus trunk hosts providing candy.
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 2 to 5 p.m., private hour, 1 to 2 p.m. reserved for Abilities 21: Special Needs Group of NEPA
Where: 100 and 200 blocks of Wyoming Ave., Scranton
Details: CaPAA's Fourth Annual Enchanted Trunk-or-Treat on Facebook
Old Forge Fire Department
The fire station will host its free trunk-or-treat event.
When: Sunday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Old Forge Fire Department, 375 Milwaukee Ave.
Details: Old Forge Fire Department on Facebook
Elm Park United Methodist Church
Elm Park Methodist Church will host its ninth annual trunk-or-treat, and the first 200 kids will receive a treat bag. There will be food, games and entertainment.
When: Sunday, Oct. 29, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Elm Park United Methodist Church, 712 Linden St., Scranton
Details: Ninth Annual Trunk-or-Treat on Facebook
Driscoll's Home Center
Driscoll's Home Center Trunk-or-Treat is a two-day, free event. The first day is held at the Driscoll's Home Center in West Pittston and the following day is at the Old Forge Location.
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, and Sunday, Oct. 29, 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Saturday, 720 Wyoming Ave., West Pittston; Sunday, 629 S. Main St., Old Forge
Details: driscollshomecenter.com
Johnson College
The Johnson College trunk-or-treat event will be held in the upper parking lot of its Scranton campus.
When: Tuesday, Oct. 24, 5 to 7 p.m.
Where: 3427 N Main Ave., Scranton
Details: johnson.edu, Johnson College on Facebook
Jessup Borough
Trick-or-treat in Jessup at its trunk-or-treat event.
When: Sunday, Oct. 22, 3 to 5 p.m.
Where: 333 Hill St., Jessup
Details: Jessup Borough on Facebook
Wright Center for Community Health
The Wright Center for Community Health will host trunk-or-treat events at three of its practices. Families are invited to come in their most imaginative costumes.
When/where: Friday, Oct. 27, 5:30 to 7 p.m., 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn; Saturday, Oct. 28, 4 to 5:30 p.m., 260 Daleville Highway, Suite 103, Covington Twp.; and Sunday, Oct. 29, noon to 3 p.m., South Main Street between East Northampton Street and Public Square, Wilkes-Barre
Details: The Wright Center for Community Health on Facebook
Clarks Summit University
Families are invited to CSU's free trunk-or-treat event.
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: 538 Venard Road, Clarks Summit
Details: Clarks Summit University on Facebook
Griffin Pond Animal Shelter
Enjoy some candy and free face painting at Griffin Pond Animal Shelter. There will be pizza and drinks for sale. Donations are appreciated.
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 5 to 7 p.m.
Where: 967 Griffin Pond Road, South Abington Twp.
Details: Griffin Pond Animal Shelter on Facebook, sherry@griffinpondanimalshelter.com, 570-586-3700 ext. 522
Clarks Summit United Methodist Church
Clarks Summit United Methodist Church will host a drive-thru trunk-or-treat event. Families are invited to drive along the route in the church parking lot, and kids can collect candy from about 10 stops.
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 3 p.m.
Where: 1310 Morgan Highway, Clarks Summit
Details: 570-587-2571
Chinchilla United Methodist Church
Chinchilla United Methodist Church invites families to its Coffee & Cars Trunk-or-Treat with treats, food and fun for everyone.
When: 9 a.m. to noon
Where: 105 Church St., South Abington Twp.
Details: Chinchilla UMC on Facebook
Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America will host its third annual trunk-or-treat. The event is open to the public.
When: Friday, Oct. 27, 4 to 7 p.m.
Where: 25 N River St., Wilkes-Barre
Details: Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania on Facebook or 570-825-5261
Moose Lodge
The Moose Lodge is hosting its annual trunk-or-treat with candy, food and refreshments available.
When: Saturday, Oct. 21, 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: 425 Exeter Ave., West Pittston
Details: West Pittston Moose Lodge on Facebook
— CLAIRE KOSCINSKI / STAFF WRITER
Contact the writer: bwilliams@scrantontimes.com; 570-348-9100 x5107; @BWilliamsTT on X.
