Editor's note: Some dates were left off the original post. That has been corrected. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Halloween is the time for costumes, parties, trick-or-treating and haunted houses. That’s no different at the lake. This guide will tell you the holiday haunts and activities around the area.
Hayrides
Haunted Hayride
The Annual Haunted Hayride will take place Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24 at the Laurie Fairgrounds. The ride will start at dark and take you around the park with ghosts and goblins all along the way.
The Garden Party
New to the lake area, The Garden Party offers many Halloween festivities on their 5-acre nursery including hayrides in their 100 by 100-foot ay maze, pumpkin picking and petting farm animals.
This nursery is located at 436 State Road V in Linn Creek and is open Wednesdays through Saturdays 1 to 6 p.m. and will be serving refreshments and food.
Admission is $4 for ages 4 and older with a small pumpkin included.
Haunted Places
Haunted house
Join Mid-County Firefighters Association and the Young Life Youth Group at the Lake of the Ozarks Amphitheater for a haunted house Oct. 29 from 7 to 10 p.m. and Oct. 30-31 from 7 p.m. to midnight. Cost is $3 for children 12 and under, $6 for those 13 years of age and older.
Haunted Cave
Bridal Cave, located on Lake Road 5-88 near Camdenton, boasts a spooky spin around the famous cavern Oct. 30-31 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Complete with flying ghouls and bats, the event costs $8 per adult and $6 per child with tickets sold at the Bridal Cave gift shop.
The event is sponsored by Lake Ozarks Grotto and Camden County Child Advocacy Council.
Ha Ha Haunt
State park staff at Ha Ha Tonka will take you on a witchy walk along Springs Trail Oct. 30.
They promise a spooky evening that’s free to the public. The haunted hike begins at 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Haunted Hotel
This year-round spooksville will be opening their doors for Halloween thrill seekers as well as hosting a round of ghost stories in front of the place on Oct. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m.
While the stories are free, admission into the hotel is $4 for adults, $3 for adults with paying children, $3 for children 12 and under and free to children 5 and younger.
Scary Stories
Celebrating Poe
Poe fan Bryan Jones will read selections from Edgar Allen Poe’s work and talk about the writer’s life at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26 in the Morgan County Library’s Community Room to celebrate Poe’s 200th birthday.
Ghost stories
Ozark ghost stories and other scary tales will be read fireside by local actors Halloween Eve, from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 30, in front of Karon's Korner on the historic Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark. The 1931 Troupe will tell stories while sharing hot cider and popcorn around an outdoor fire ring.
Costume parties
Art Xpressions party
Art Xpressions will be hosting this party Oct. 24 that will include a children’s costume and jack-o-lantern contest. The event will take place at the Art Xpressions Interactive Art Center in Osage Beach from 1 to 4 p.m. The cost is $10 per child. Call (573) 302-4433 for more information.
Halloween on the Strip
Halloween on The Strip will be held under the tents at Luby's from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 31. Children of all ages are welcome to participate in costume. Music, games, treats, prizes and fun for all, and a judged costume contest starting at 4 p.m. with prizes for best costumes.
Kids’ Safety Halloween Party
The Lake Area Optimist Club is hosting this party at the Osage Beach City Park Oct. 31, from noon until 5 p.m. There will be lots of activities for kids to 12 years, including hayrides, pumpkin painting, games, kids fingerprinting by the police department and candy for everyone. There will be a costume contest at 3 p.m. All activities are free.
Kids Fun Fest
This free spookfest at Stone Crest Mall in Osage Beach is sure to keep the parents and kids occupied with face painting, games, readings, surprise characters, demonstrations, egg hunt at 3 p.m. and costume contest at 1 p.m. The event will be Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Osage Beach Spooktacular
Get ready for trick-or-treating, costume contests and more for this Friday fright night and day.
The event, located at the Osage Beach Premium Outlets, is free and will be hosting many activities throughout the day and evening Oct. 30. Trick-or-Treating goes from 2 to 7 p.m. with the contest from 5 to 7 p.m.
Old Kinderhook Costume Party
If you’re looking for an adult party, this is the place to be Oct. 31 for drinks, fun, food and more.
Located at 20 Eagle Ridge Road in Camdenton, the party will be at the golf course’s restaurant, The Trophy Room. Costume judging will begin at 8 p.m., but make sure you come early for dinner and drink specials. J. Dereberry will be playing from 7 to 10 p.m.
Read about this and more in the Oct. 23 issue of Vacation News and the Lake Sun's weekend edition. Contact Vacation News editor Trysta Eakin at (573) 346-2132 or e-mail trysta.eakin@lakemediaonline.com.
