Halloween events planned in many Northern Michigan communities

NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Halloween is nearly here, and Northern Michigan is celebrating with treats, costume parades, haunted houses and more.

Here's a list of some spooktacular events happening across the region:

Emmet County

Alanson

On Oct. 28, the village will be hosting a home decorating contest. The event is hosted by the village’s DDA. Deck out your front yard for the chance to win first place and a $300 dollar gift card to your favorite Village of Alanson downtown business. Judging will begin at 5 p.m. Those interested in participating should email dda@villageofalanson.com with an address, name and phone number. The winners will be announced on the night of Oct. 31.

Bring your candy and deck out your trunk for Alanson's annual trunk-or-treat from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 31 in the Alanson Public Schools parking lot.

Harbor Springs

As part of the Harbor Springs Fall Fest, a kid's halloween costume contest will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28. Also on Saturday, from 1-2 p.m., a children's halloween costume contest will be held at Pond Hill Farm, at 5699 S. Lakeshore Dr.

On Oct. 28, there will be a costume contest and live music during Halloween at the American Legion. From 8 p.m. until midnight, the public is invited to the fun at 101 E. 3rd St. Donations at the door are welcome.

Then on Oct. 31, Harbor Springs students will march down Main Street in their costumes during the annual school parade at 1:20 p.m. Downtown trick-or-treating will take place right after the parade.

Petoskey

On Saturday, Oct. 28, the annual downtown Petoskey Halloween parade will begin at 10 a.m. Families are invited to line up at 9:45 a.m. at Central Elementary School. After the parade, trick-or-treating will take place at downtown stores. For safety, downtown streets will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event.

At Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 1825 W. Sheridan Road in Petoskey, kids and adults alike are invited to wear their costumes to a trunk-or-treat event from 12:30-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28. Cars will have their Halloween-themed trunks open with lots of treats. There will also be chili, apple fritters, hot chocolate and apple cider to enjoy.

City Park Grill will be hosting Halloween fun on both Oct. 27 and 28. Funky Karaoke night starts at 9:30 p.m. on Friday night, and then on Saturday the Monster Mash Dance Party will be in full swing from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Guests need to be 21 or older. There will be prizes for the best costumes. In lieu of a cover charge, donations are accepted for Petoskey High School’s Theatre Department.

On Oct. 29, The Back Lot will be hosting a Howl-oween pet costume contest at 3 p.m. The winner will receive a $50 gift card to Pet Pantry.

Bay Harbor

The Village of Bay Harbor will host the 14th annual Trunk R’ Treat event on Halloween from 4-5 p.m. on Oct. 31. Village businesses, Bay Harbor residents and employees will be passing out treats. Main Street will be closed and lined with vehicles filled with goodies for children.

Charlevoix County

Boyne City

From 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Oct. 28, kids can trick-or-treat at the Boyne City Farmers Market. During the 2nd Annual Tricks & Treats event there will be face painting, crafts, cider and donuts, a costume contest and more.

Muskrat Distilling will also be hosting its annual Halloween Party on Oct. 28. There will be a costume karaoke contest with Mike "T-Bone" Thompson from 8 p.m. until midnight.

There will also be trick-or-treating from 5-7 p.m. at the Boyne District Library on Oct. 31.

Boyne Falls

A Halloween Hoopla will take place on Oct. 27 and 28 at Boyne Mountain. Events starts at 10 a.m. and run all day with a variety of family-friendly activities such as a costume parade, wagon rides, pumpkin painting and more. For the full schedule, visit avalanchebay.com/upcoming-events/halloween-hoopla.

For the adults, Boyne Mountain will also host a costume crawl from 5-10 p.m. on Oct. 28. You must be 21 or older to participate.

Charlevoix

From 6:30-10:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, the Charlevoix Children's House will hold its annual Halloween fundraising event, Fright Night. This adult-only event will take place at Castle Farms and includes dinner and drinks, dancing, a DJ and a costume contest. Tickets cost $100 per person.

The Charlevoix Public Library will present "Charlevoix's Haunted History" at 6 p.m. with local author and business owner Annie Russell. Hear about the ghost ships still seen offshore, the battle of the only monarchy to ever exist in the United States, and the ghostly diners that have never left their favorite restaurants.

Russell also offers Charlevoix Haunted History Tours every evening at 8 p.m. except on Tuesdays. Contact Russell at (231) 675-6613 to book a tour. Tickets are $25 per adult, $12 per student ages 5-12, and children under 5 are free.

At 6 p.m. on Oct. 31, there will also a trunk-or-treat event at the Charlevoix Reformed Church.

East Jordan

The Depot Jordan Valley Teen Center is planning a 4th Annual Pumpkin Walk fundraiser from 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 26 and 27 at the Community Park in East Jordan. The activities on Oct. 26 are family-friendly, with a stroll through the woods to admire carved pumpkins. On Oct. 28, things get a little scarier. All proceeds from entry and concessions will go to support The Depot.

There are also trunk-or-treats planned at East Jordan United Methodist from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 31 and at the East Jordan Community Church from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 31.

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Cheboygan County

Cheboygan

On Oct. 27, the Cheboygan Public Library will host a Haunted House Experience from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The haunted house is designed for children however, library officials warn that some elements could be scary to younger children. Parental discretion is advised.

Later on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m., the Cheboygan Opera House will host a presentation, book signing and Q&A with Rev. Gerald S. Hunter, one of Michigan’s preeminent expert on haunted places. Rev. Hunter is visiting the Opera House to learn more about the paranormal activities associated with the historic theater. This event is free, though donations are encouraged to support the Opera House.

The Knights of Columbus Hall will also be hosting a Halloween Party from 3:30-6 p.m. on Oct. 27 at 9840 N. Straits Highway. Activities include a costume contest, raffles, crafts and more. Cost is $5 per person.

The day of Halloween starts early with downtown trick-or-treating from 3-5 p.m. Downtown businesses will be participating with candy and decorations.

Mackinaw City

Mackinaw City Haunted House is open Saturdays from 2-8 p.m. through Halloween night. Mackinaw City Haunted Mansion, located at 114 S. Huron Ave., is a fully automated haunted house. Tickets are $8.50 for General Admission.

A trunk-or-treating event sponsored by the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 31 in Old School Park.

Otsego County

Gaylord

In the days leading up to Halloween, people can visit the Alpine Bluffs haunted house at 254 Little League Dr. in Gaylord. The haunted house is operational from 8 p.m. to midnight daily through Saturday, Oct. 28. Admission is $20 a person.

The Ellison Place is hosting the 3rd Annual Little Monster’s Bash from 2-6 p.m. on Oct. 28. This year, they are adding trick-or-treating to the festivities. Kids will also be able to pick out a pumpkin, enjoy a petting zoo, play games and more. Entry fee is $5 per child.

Then, for the adults, the 3rd Annual Monster Bash starts at 7 p.m. The Ellison Place with a costume contest, live DJ, drinks and more. You must be 21 or older to attend. There is a $10 cover charge.

On Halloween, downtown trick-or-treating will take place from 5-7 p.m.

Chippewa County

Sault Ste. Marie

In the Soo, the weekend will kick off with the Lock City Home Center’s Halloween Spooktacular from 5-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 27. There will be the Parade of Frights at 6:30 p.m., along with traditional trick-or-treat and trunk-or-treat activities from 5-7 p.m.

Other associated events that evening include: the Soo Locks Children’s Boo-seum from 5-8 p.m.; the CLMCAA’s Haunted House from 5-8 p.m. at Avery Square, 510 Ashmun St.; the Halloween Haunted Station from 5-8 p.m. at the USCG Station, 337 E. Water St.; the Avery Center Halloween Costume Contest from 6-7 p.m. at the Avery Square, 510 Ashmun St.; and the Soo Youth Orchestras & Symphonic Orchestra Fall Concert at 7 p.m. at the Soo Theatre.

— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Halloween events across Northern Michigan