Trick or treat, down main street, little kids get something sweet; come out at night, by pale moonlight, haunted mazes are sure to fright.
Yes, Halloween is in full swing all over the Plateau, from family-friendly events at local farms to the ever-scary corn mazes and haunted houses only the bravest should enter.
Read below to find out where you can get your Halloween groove on — just be sure to come in after dark.
DAYTIME FAMILY FUN
Maris Farms and the Thomasson Family Farms are undoubtedly the king and queen of family activities during fall around the Plateau.
Thomasson, open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Oct. 31, offers myriad activities for everyone to enjoy.
First is the Kids Korral, which includes tractor train rides and hay wagon rides, the ever-popular corn box, the petting farm, the tricycle track, bubble table, duck races chalkboard house, and more.
There’s also the famous Thomasson Corn Maze, which will you guessing all the way ‘til the end.
On the weekends, the Korral also includes the apple slingshot (see if you can tag Sasquatch with a Granny Smith), and laser tag.
While you’re at the farm, make sure to check out the free pumpkin patch and the parlor, which sells everything from candied apples to fudge and carious Thomasson Family Fun apparel, open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tickets vary in price; to check on pricing and more activity details, go to www.thomassonfarm.com.
The farm is located at 38223 236th Avenue SE in Enumclaw. Call (360) 802-0503 or email contactus@thomassonfamilyfarm.com for more information.
Over at Maris Farms, there’s everything from the corn maze, zip lines, tug-o-war, human foosball, the Speleo Cave, and more — and that’s just on the weekdays, from 1 to 6 p.m.
On the weekends, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., there’s everything offered during the weekdays plus a mechanical bull, trout fishing, the zombie paintball gallery, live pig and duck races, the apple cannon, and a new “Hot Seat” escape room.
Tickets range from around $10 during the week, and around $20 on the weekend.
The farm is located at 25001 Sumner-Buckley Highway in Buckley. For more information, go to www.marisfarms.com or call (253) 862-2848.
Finally are the Street of Treats events — businesses will be open late on Cole Street in Enumclaw from 4 to 6 p.m., and along Main Street in Sumner from 5 to 7 p.m. for kids and their families to enjoy a safe, delicious time trick-or-treating.
Buckley is also hosting its first annual Harvest Festival from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Buckley Youth Center on 251 River Avenue, which includes games, crafts, snacks, and a trunk-or-treat contest.
NIGHTTIME FRIGHTS
Once the sun starts setting, Maris Farms gets spooky.
For those looking for after-dark entertainment, but not necessarily a scary-good time, the farm offers the flashlight corn maze and night wagon rides on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 9 p.m., as well as the mechanical bull, the escape room, and the zombie paintball gallery.
Of course, the famous Haunted Woods is the most popular attraction. Available only on weekends, the last remaining days to check out the attraction featuring more than 50 actors and scares galore is Oct. 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28.
Head to www.marisfarms.com/haunted-woods for more information or to buy tickets online.
There’s also the Fright Factory on the other side of Buckley, which has been billed as one of the 50 scariest haunted house attractions in the country this year.
The attraction is typically open Fridays through Sundays (7 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 6:30 to 8:30 on Sundays), but extends its hours into the weekday as Halloween inches closer (6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 29, 30, and 31).
The Fright Factory is on 2000 Collins Rd in Buckley. General admission is $15, cash only, with a $1 discount when you bring food donations for the local food bank.
There are not ATMs on sight. For more information, head to www.frightfactory.net, call (206) 419-3217 or email fright factory@msn.com.
Neela and her father picked pumpkins at the Thomasson Farm pumpkin patch last year. File image Ray Miller-Still
