2016 Halloween Events to Explore with Family and Friends
Halloween is coming up soon, and there are many events in around Minnesota to celebrate. The Halloween season provides the perfect excuse to pack in a few last activities before the snow hits, especially with family and friends. Here are some ways to relax and explore Minnesota fall traditions with loved ones.
Monster Dash (St. Paul, MN)
Team Ortho Foundation hosts “The Monster Dash” yearly for those of us who love to get some exercise. Team Ortho is an organization that uses their revenue to promote healthy lives by hosting races in Minneapolis and Chicago. The Monster Dash is their Halloween themed race series, and includes a half-marathon, 10k race, and 5k race.
The “Monster Dash” is unique because thousands of runners have the opportunity to get dressed up in their favorite costumes. In fact, at the post race party, they have a costume contest where multiple winners from different categories of costumes can win exciting prizes.
Each race takes place in St. Paul on October 29th. This event is for all ages, so bring your family and friends! You can register for the race and check out more information here: http://www.minnesotamonster.org/
Molitor’s Haunted Acres (Sauk Rapids, MN)
If you live in the St. Cloud area, there’s a chance you are pretty familiar with Molitor’s Quarry Grill & Bar. Along with their bar, they offer a variety of other events and activities, including event planning, mini-golf, fishing, sleigh rides, and more.
Each fall, the owners of Molitor’s Quarry operate a haunted hayride for all of Minnesota to enjoy. Molitor’s Haunted Acres partners with Annandale Paintball each year as well to host a separate attraction called “Zombie Paintball Shootout” for another fee. Customers have the option to continue exploring five other haunt scenes on foot.
Prices start at $22.00, and tickets are only available for purchase at their ticket booth (cash only). The first show begins on Friday, September 30th, and the ticket booth opens at 6:30 p.m. the day of a show. Molitor’s Haunted Acres is located in Sauk Rapids, and for more information, check out their website: http://molitorshauntedacres.com/
The Great Pumpkin Fest/Halloween Haunt at ValleySCARE (Shakopee, MN)
Minnesotan thrill seekers have been spending the day exploring rides and attractions at Valleyfair since 1974. Each year, as the amusement park prepares to close for winter, they turn the park into ValleySCARE. This is a Halloween experience for all ages to enjoy!
The Great Pumpkin Fest is a favorable place to take the young ones for some Halloween fun. During the day, kids can visit Snoopy and the Peanuts crew, featuring “Pigpen’s Petting Zoo,” “Peppermint Patty’s Haybale Maze,” and more! This year is the 50th anniversary of the television special, “ It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” so ValleySCARE will have have the movie showing at Galaxy Theater. There is so much to do at The Great Pumpkin Fest, the kids will have a blast!
After dark, the creepy characters come out for ValleySCARE’s Halloween Haunt. Teens and adults will appreciate the thrill of themed mazes, scare zones, rides, shows, and other attractions. They can also stop in to “Blood Suckers Pizza Bar” for a snack.
ValleySCARE is open until November 1st. The Great Pumpkin Fest is held on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Halloween Haunt is held on Fridays from 7:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. For a detailed calendar and more information, click here: https://www.valleyfair.com/things-to-do
Zombie Pub Crawl (Minneapolis, MN)
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Zombie Pub Crawl in Minneapolis is “the world’s largest gathering of zombies.” The first Zombie Pub Crawl started in 2005, when only 150 people decided to dress as zombies and go bar-hopping. Now, the zombie-themed festival is held in the Warehouse District of Minneapolis and brings in tens of thousands of people in gory, undead costumes.
The Zombie Pub Crawl includes two outdoor stages, over 22 bars and performance centers, food trucks, and more. Over 35 performers will be featured this year! Schell’s Brewing features a limited time beer called “Brain Belt,” and the ZPC hosts the “World Brain-Eating Championships.” This year, they will be hosting their first ever costume contest for individual and group zombies.
The Zombie Pub Crawl will be held on October 15th, and you can buy your tickets online here: http://zombiepubcrawl.com/2016-minneapolis/
Grand Day Parade/Anoka (Anoka, MN)
The community leaders and committee members of Anoka, MN work year round to organize Halloween events every year. These events are put together by volunteers, and in 1937, Anoka was declared, “the Halloween capital of the world,” because it was considered one of the first cities to put on Halloween events by community leaders. Anoka definitely earned this title because of many the celebrations for all ages to enjoy!
All month long, Anoka hosts different activities, from bingo, to a pancake breakfast, to a halloween movie night. On October 16th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Anoka hosts a free scavenger hunt, where all ages can win a cash prize. People can also participate in the 31st annual “Gray Ghost 5k,” on October 29th where they can choose to compete in a 5k run or 1 mile walk.
Anoka is the home to one of the only Halloween parades across Minnesota. The “Grand Day Parade” will be held on October 29th at 1:00 p.m. on mainstreet. The 96th annual parade is over 1.5 miles long and even features the T-6 Thunder showcase that starts off the parade. To check out more events happening in Anoka, check out the calendar here: http://anokahalloween.com/events/2016-10/
ZooBoo (St. Paul, MN)
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Como Zoo’s “ZooBoo.” This is a perfect place to take the little ones and provides a safe alternative to trick-or-treating. ZooBoo includes crafting activities, pumpkin bowling, treat stations, and many costumed characters. ZooBoo is held on October 22nd, 23rd, 29th, and 30th, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All of the proceeds help Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory.
ZooBoo also brings in over 200 volunteers each night to help with things such as greeting visitors and helping with costume make-up. They also have costumed volunteer positions (costumes provided by Como Zoo). Anyone who is 17 years old or older can volunteer, and they are currently working on recruiting volunteers. To get more information about volunteering, click here: http://www.comozooconservatory.org/support/volunteer/zooboo/#/zooboo
Mounds Theatre Real Haunted Tours (St. Paul, MN)
The historical Mounds Theatre in Saint Paul is reportedly known to be haunted. Many visitors say that they see and hear things, and some people have even reported being pushed or grabbed by these entities. There is believed to be 4 spirits in the Mounds Theatre. They include two employees, a little girl, and another angry entity. Some employees say they don’t even feel comfortable going into the basement.
From October 14-30th, Mounds Theatre gives those 16+ who are interested in paranormal activity a chance to take a one hour tour through the theatre. Tour guides will walk and teach others about the history behind this haunted venue. The one hour tours are from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m, and the last tour at 12:00 a.m. gives guests an option to upgrade to a three hour tour. This includes a chance to check out the basement and to do some exploring. Kids (with a parent) who are 8+ can explore the theatre at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on October 30th. You can purchase tickets here: http://moundstheatre.org/event/2016-real-haunted-tours/
References:
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-gathering-of-zombies/
http://www.johnsdaleparanormalgroup.com/the-mounds-theatre.html