Hauntings in Montgomery County
Scream-worthy activities are underway in the woods or cornfields for a few more days. Or bring your lil' ghosts and goblins to family-friendly events, where the frights are sure to be friendly.
Here's a sampling of where you can have a ghoulishly good time.
Fall Hauntings
Markoff's Haunted Forest will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 p.m. until the closing of the gates at 10:30 p.m. at 19120 Martinsburg Road, Dickerson. The event will also be held Thursday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Walk down one of two dimly lit forest trails if you dare plus "enjoy" other activities such as the spine tingling zip line, ghost hunts and bonfires $25. A fundraiser for Calleva. Call 301-216-1248 or visit www.calleva.org.
Haunted Plantation will be held 6:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Button Farm Living History Center, 16820 Black Rock Road, Germantown. Includes graveyard, haunted buildings and slave ship. Separate Kid's Corner for ages12 and younger. $20 per car. Call 301-916-7090 or e-mail
menarefoundation@aol.com.
Spooky Hollow's Haunted Trail will be held 7-10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday and 7-9:30 p.m. Sunday at Valley Mill Camp, 15101 Seneca Road, Darnestown. Twenty-five minute walk through the woods is "guaranteed to be screaming fun." $15, adults, $10, children under 8. Some proceeds go to Team River Runner, which helps wounded veterans through kayaking. Call 301-948-2441 or e-mail gumbi@valleymill.com.
Field of Screams will be held 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 4501 Olney-Laytonsville Road, Olney. Included are the Haunted Trail, a 25-minute walk, $15-20; the Haunted Corn Maze of Mayhem, Haverghast Haunted House, $8-10; and the Haunted Hayride of Hemlock Hill, $10. A fundraiser for Olney Boys and Girls Community Sports Association. Visit www.screams.org.
Nightmare Manor will be held Thursday through Sunday from dark to 10 p.m. at 19000 Darnestown Road, Beallsville. Also available are Haunted Hayride and Corn Field. $20. Not recommended for children under age 9. There is a corn maze, hayride and pirate games suitable for children Saturdays and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. $10. A fundraiser for Calvary Lutheran Church in Silver Spring. Call 301-948-3141 or visit www.nightmare-manor.com.
Halloween on the Screen at AFI, Silver Spring. Several horror movies will be shown through Nov. 4 at AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Nosferatu, A Symphony of Horror, with live musical accompaniment will be shown on Friday at 7 and 9 p.m. Call 301-495-6720 or, for recorded program information, call 301-495-6700 or visit www.AFI.com/silver.
For a little scare
Haunted Boat Ride will be held 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday on Little Seneca Lake. Meet at the Black Hill Regional Park pontoon dock, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds. For children ages 3-6 years with an adult. Cost is $6. Register at Register at www.ParkPASS.org.
Captain Creepy's Ghost Ship Cruise will be held 10 to 11:45 a.m. Friday at Black Hill Regional Park's pontoon dock, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds. Captain Creepy will tell tales from the dark depths and serve Halloween treats. Come in costume or walk the plank. For ages 3 years and up. Cost is $7. Register at www.ParkPASS.org.
Children ages three to nine are invited to celebrate Halloween with their neighbors at The Montgomery Village Foundation Recreation Department's Halloween Spooktacular celebration 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Lake Marion Community Center, 8821 E. Village Ave. The fee is $3 per child and a non-perishable food item for the community food drive. Parents free. Call 301-948-0110, ext. 338 or ekallas@mvf.org.
The Enchanted Forest, an interactive walk with fairytale scenes and legends brought to life, will be held Friday and Saturday 6-8:30 p.m. at 19120 Martinsburg Road, Dickerson. Although in the same location as Markoff's Haunted Forest, the trails are separate. Ages 8 and younger. $10 includes a pumpkin to take home. Call 301-216-1248 or visit www.calleva.org.
The Clara Barton Community Center will hold its third annual Haunted House on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. at 7425 MacArthur Blvd., Cabin John. For children up to age 12 with an adult. Free. For adults, there is a small, separate section that will feature frightening things. Call 301-320-3145 or e-mail vdoug4919@aol.com.
Eye Spy Train 6-9 p.m. through Friday at Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda. For children ages 8 and under. $5, or $4 with canned food donation. Call 301-765-8670 or visit www.CabinJohnTrain.com.
Safe Trick-or-Treat events on Saturday
Little ghouls and goblins can Trick-or-Treat noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Lakeforest mall, 701 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg. Collect Halloween treats, pick up coloring sheets from "Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs," Halloween bags and stickers.
Westfield Wheaton Shopping center will host Halloween Trick or Treat from 2-4 p.m. at the mall, 11160 Veirs Mill Road, Wheaton. For children 12 years and under, accompanied by an adult and dressed in costume. Orange signs signify stores that are distributing candy. Call 301-942-3200.
The City of Gaithersburg will celebrate Halloween with Family Fun Night from 6-8 p.m. at City Hall Concert Pavilion, 31 S. Summit Ave., Gaithersburg. Entertainment, games and prizes, and free monster juice and glow sticks. For $1 per craft, kids can participate in fun and Halloween projects. Kettle corn will also be sold, a portion of the sales will be donated to Autism Speaks. Call 301-258-6350 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov.
Halloween at the library
Halloween Extravaganza will be held at 7 p.m. today at Little Falls Library, 5501 Massachusetts Ave., Bethesda. Featuring stories, face painting, crafts and activities. Costumes welcome. Call 240-773-9520.
Halloween Preschool Party will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Ave., Silver Spring. Come in costume for spooky stories, games and crafts. Ages 2-5. Call 240-777-0910.
Halloween Parade will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road. Afternoon will also include stories and activities. For ages 2 and older. Call 240-777-0970.
Halloween Storytime for families will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac. Wear a costume for the parade, stories and a craft .Call 240-777-0690.
Family Halloween party will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Marilyn J. Praisner Library, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. Stories, songs, games and a parade. No registration is necessary. For all ages. Call 240-773-9460.