Halloween events and fall festivals in and around Walton County

October 20, 2014

Hammack Farms corn maze in Bonifay offers good old fashioned family fun through Nov. 22

5.3 acres of corn maze fun in Bonifay. Photo courtesy Hammack Farms

Interested in enjoying some family fun this October and November? Head over to Hammack Farms in Bonifay for an afternoon or evening of corn maze fun and fall treats.

The corn maze isn’t the only fun at Hammack Farms. There is a pumpkin patch with a variety of assorted sizes and colors the children can purchase and decorate, a mini hay bale maze, corn box for kids 7 and under, a tractor train for smaller children, hay ride, farm animal zoo, and a playground. Other items available are novelty pumpkins, gourds, dried cornstalks, and mum plants. A concession will be open with hot dogs, boiled peanuts, popcorn, soft drinks, apples, and baked goods. Hot chocolate, coffee, and smores will be available during the cooler weather.

Hammack is open every Friday from 5 – 10 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. through Nov. 22.

Admission: ages 10 and up – $8, under 10- $5, 2 and under – free. Ask about group pricing for 20 or more. Call 850 768-9673 or 850 768-9672. Hammack Farms is located at 2387 Joe White Road, Bonifay, just north of Hwy. 90. ::MAP::

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge hosts haunted house at Destin Commons every Fri. and Sat. through Nov. 1

thedarkThe Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge officially kicks off its annual haunted house, “The Dark” this Friday, October 10. This terrifying adventure through endless rooms of horror will leave you speechless with fright.

“The Dark” runs every Friday and Saturday night in October from October 10 to November 1.
Dates: Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, Nov. 1.
Time: 7 p.m. until the last terrified guest has been through. Proceeds benefit the Refuge.
Location: Destin Commons, at the former Hard Rock Café (across from Bass Pro Shop)
Cost: $10.00 per person, “cut-the-line” tickets are available.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park hosts haunted trail walk Oct. 24

rockyviewTime: 4 – 7 p.m. Join the Rocky Bayou Park rangers and staff on Friday, October 24th, 2014 for a haunted trail walk. The Walk will fallow the half mile Red Cedar nature trail. The Haunted walk will be from 4 – 7 p.m.. The park asks that you please bring younger children from 4 – 5 p.m. for a less spooky version and then all ages from 5 – 7 p.m.

The Haunted trail is known to inhabit ghosts, spiders, wolves, and spooky sights.  Come join us for a night of fright and fun. Park admission fees will be waived.  Please leave all furry friends at home. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is located at 4281 S.R. 20, Niceville, FL. For more information, call (850) 833-9144.

Fall Festival and haunted tram ride at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Oct. 24-25

You never know what monsters are waiting along the Terrifying Tram Ride at Topsail. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Time: 6 – 10 p.m.

It’s time again for Topsail’s annual Fall Festival. There will be a haunted tram ride, activities, food, and games for children. This is an all ages event although there may be age restrictions on the haunted tram ride. All proceeds go to support the Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. There is no entry fee to the park for this event.  For more information please contact the park directly at 850-267-8330.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located at 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. For more information, call (850) 267-8330 ::MAP::

Seacrest Wolf Preserve hosts Howl-O-Ween event Oct. 25-26

seacrestwolfCamp out with the wolves at The Oaks Farm in Chipley, Florida and enjoy a unique experience. The weekend long Howl-O-Ween camping events offers learning and fun along with wolf encounters at the Seacrest Wolf Preserve.

Enjoy a weekend of wolf encounters, camping, campfires, hayrides, costume contests, story telling, and more.

Gates open 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 for campers. Camping near the wolves requires reservation in advance with deposit. Unlimited primitive camping with limited electrical hook-ups. For camping reservations and/or more information on this event, please contact Seacrest Wolf Preserve at  seacrestwolfpreserve.org or call (850)-773-2897.

The preserve is located at 3449 Bonnett Pond Road, Chipley, Florida 32428 ::MAP::

Halloweener Derby in Seaside Oct. 25

halloweenerEnjoy a morning of wiener dog fun on Oct. 25 in Seaside. Dachshund races, all breed costume contest at more starts at 9 a.m. Chris Alvarado will perform this year on the Seaside Amphitheater after the all-breed pet costume contest.
Schedule of Events:
9 a.m. – Check-in and same-day registration begins
9:45 a.m. – Dachshund races begin
11 a.m. – Championship race begins
All-breed pet costume contest to begin shortly after races. Award ceremony will begin after the costume contest.

Harvest Market and Kids Halloween Bash in Rosemary Beach Oct. 25

pumpkin patchMore than 60 artisans will be highlighted from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 25 at the annual Harvest Market on North Barrett Square in Rosemary Beach.

Bring the little ghosts and goblins for trick-or-treating through the Town Center businesses and the Harvest Market booths from 2-5 p.m. There will be a pumpkin carving contest and costume contest with prizes, hayrides, a moonwalk, pumpkin painting, games and more. Event is free.

Tour the haunted cemetery and Ohana Institute’s Annual Halloween Scarecrow Lane while gobbling up goodies at the bake sale.

Noche de los Muertos adult costume party at Alys Beach Oct. 25

nocheNoche de los Muertos Costume Party at Caliza Pool, Alys Beach will be held on Oct. 25 from 8 – 11 p.m.

DJ Roonie G returns, cash bar, costumes required and all attending must be over 21.  $50 advance, $60 at the door. Purchase tickets at nochedelosmuertos.com ’til midnight October 24, or at the Alys Beach Bike Shop, Alys Shoppe, or Fonville Press, Alys Beach ’til close of business on Saturday, October 25. Tickets available at the door for $60. Ticket prices include tax and A&E fee (online ticket fees are not included in ticket price). Tickets are non-refundable and the party will be a hit rain or shine. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Inc.

Alys Beach is located at 9581 E. County Hwy. 30A.

Gulfside Trail Rides Pumpkin Festival Oct. 25-26

gulfsidetrailridesGulfside Trail Rides Pumpkin Festival will be October 25-26 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Please come bring the family for a fun day of riding horses, hayrides, bounce house, painting pumpkins, hotdogs, candy, drinks, pumpkins for purchase.  Perfect setting for wonderful family pictures. Call (850) 208-3114 for prices or more information.
Gulfside Trail Rides is located at 613 CR 393, Santa Rosa Beach.

Learn more and register at halloweener.org.

Halloween and Fall festivals Oct 26

WaterColor Fall Festival Oct. 26

pumpkinEnjoy fall foods and drinks, live music and crafts, a pumpkin carving contest and pictures with a scarecrow at WaterColor’s Fall Festival from 2-5 p.m. Oct. 26 in Marina Park. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy watching a Halloween themed movie under the stars from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 26 at Marina Park in WaterColor. The movie will begin shortly after sunset. Free admission.

Call 534-5975 for more information.

Trunk or Treat at Good News United Methodist Church Oct. 26

Trunk-or-Treat: This year’s event is from 2 – 4:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at Good News United Methodist Church in Santa Rosa Beach. Sign up in the narthex at the church to be there with your car and candy.

Halloween happenings Oct. 31

candycornDeFuniak Springs:
5 p.m.
Bring your trick-or-treaters to the Historic Downtown business district and to the homes on the original grounds of Florida’s Historic Chautauqua for some real Halloween experiences.  Sponsored by Downtown Business and Professional Association and the DeFuniak Springs Woman’s Club.

Village of Baytowne Wharf:
6 – 8 p.m.
Location: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Trick or treat through the Village and visit merchants for your favorite Halloween treats. The DJ will be playing frightening good tunes on the Events Plaza stage, Fly board extraordinaire Ben Merrell will perform a special Halloween show in the lagoon, and to end the evening enjoy spooky fireworks as they light up the sky at 8 p.m.

Seaside:
4-6 p.m.
Treat or treat door-to-door at the merchants along with a hayride and hear spooky stories from the Seaside Repertory Theater.

Merchants of Gulf Place:
The Merchants of Gulf Place will host a safe and fun trick-or-treating event Friday, October 31, 2014, from 4 – 5:30 p.m. The merchants will be handing out treats to children dressed in costumes. Children accompanied by adults can visit the stores at their own leisure.

E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center hosting Fall Festival Nov. 1

Fall Fest FlyerThe E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center’s​ annual Fall Festival ​will be held on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Activities include a spooky trail, hay rides, festival food, live music, face painting, Alaqua animal adoptions, fun games, fall themed arts and crafts, bounce house, dunk tank, local vendors, and more.

Plus another chance to wear your Halloween Costume! The event is sponsored in part by greenology/Okaloosa Gas, Florida Transformer Inc., and local Walmarts.  ​

General admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children. Children two and under free. Please visit eowilsoncenter.org to learn more about this non-profit educational center or call 835-1824.

Jail Break Zombie 5K Fun Run Nov. 1

jailbreakzombiesDate: November 1st, 2014
Location: Walton County Sheriff’s Office – 752 Triple G Road – DeFuniak Springs, Fl. 32433
Registration and Packet Pickup begins at 7:00 am
Race begins at 8:00 am
Runners $50.00/Zombies $25.00  (T-Shirt with registration)
Call 850-892-8186 for more information
Early Packet Pick-up will take place the day before the race, Oct. 31st from 12:00pm-5:00pm at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (located at 752 Triple G Road in Defuniak Springs.)
If you register to be a zombie and would like your zombie makeup done, you will need to arrive early. Please note that the course for this race will have obstacles.
Additional t-shirts will be available for purchase on-site for $15.
All funds raised by this event will benefit the North Florida Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF.)