Thursday, October 6, 2011

What to Do this Fall? Haunted Houses, Hayrides and more!

Hello boils and ghouls!

Photo Source: http://connect.in.com/
Its that time of year, and if you're like me and love Halloween then you love a good scare.What better way to get scared then to go to a Haunted House or Haunted Forest. Below is a list of some spooky attractions to enjoy this fall:


THE GROVE
Photo Source: thegrovehaunt.com
They're Baack...
Formerly known as Hobb's Grove, this greatly missed Central California Haunted Attraction will once again welcome the many who would have the beejeezes scared out of them while being thoroughly entertained with revelry and wit, music and gruel.

The Grove is ranked among the nations top Must See Haunts and is one of the Valley's main events. The Grove is able to open with more spirit than ever. All the characters that patrons have grown to love will be welcoming their prey while struggling to tame the two years of “wildness” that has overtaken the place.
Farmer Billy Bob will also be back with the Pumpkin Grove pumpkin patch. 

Event Details

Date(s) & Time(s): 
The Grove will open Friday, Oct. 7th and run through Sunday, Oct. 30th - weather permitting
Closed Mondays & Tuesdays, except for Tuesday, Oct. 25th.
Parking and ticket booth open at 5:30 p.m., concessions soon after.
The ticket booth will close Sun. Wed. & Thurs. at 9:30 and Fri. & Sat. at 10:30.
The Haunting begins at dark. Location: 14265 E. Goodfellow Ave. Sanger, CA
Email: thegrovehaunt@gmail.com
Phone: (559) 356-3958
Link: www.thegrovehaunt.com

Event Description


The Grove’s ticketed attractions include The Hollows Haunted Forest, Shadow’s Keep Haunted Hayride and The Grove Manor Haunted House. There’s also the midway at The Grove featuring full concessions, warming fire pits, peddlers and entertainment. It’s a somewhat “safe” place to hang out for the for those who wish to be frightened no more. There’s even a live “Theatre Macabre” with shows throughout the evening.


Pricing:

Photo Source: thegrovehaunt.com

 

RAISIN HELL RANCH

 

Event Details

Date(s) & Time(s): October 14th – 31st, Haunting begins Nightly at 7pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday Nights – Open Monday Halloween Night!
Location: 7451 Rd 32 – Madera, CA 93637 
Email: info@raisinhellranch.com
Link: http://raisinhellranch.com/attractions/


Pricing:

  • 1 attraction, $15.00
  • 2 attractions, $25.00
  • 3 attractions, $30.00
  • V.I.P. “Fast Pass”, $40.00
    (3 attractions with “Front-of-the-Line” Privilege)


Event Description:



Scarecrows Revenge
Photo Source: raisinhellranch.com
– Once the farmers friend, this band of solitary, straw-stuffed creatures have taken over the cornfield and are seeking retribution for being nailed to a wooden cross and left to be tormented by flocks of mischievous crows. The farmer and his family learned the hard way that human flesh and blood give these demonic creatures life. This farm will never be the same – and neither will you!



  Chupacabras Feast
Chupacabras Feast
Photo Source: raisinhellranch.com
– The Mexican legend of the blood-sucking beast known as “Chupacabra” is proven to be true after just one visit to this farm. A once proud farmer boasts that he has captured one of these not-so mythological creatures, known for sucking the blood from goats and chickens, but never eating the flesh. Soon he realizes that his catch is not alone and the rest of the hideous pack has acquired a taste for a different kind of blood – HUMAN!!!


 The Black-out Maze – Imagine rustling corn, howling coyotes and a full moon setting the stage for a terrifying walk through over two miles of twisting, turning and dead end trails. Shadows appear – then disappear. Noises are heard in the distance, but seem to be getting closer. Is something out there or is it just your imagination? You are on your own in the Black-out Maze – NO lights – NO maps – and NO one will hear you scream!
 
 
 
 

FEAR FACTORY HAUNTED HOUSE

 

Photo Source: http://www.facebook.com/fearfactoryhauntedhouse

 

Event Details

Date(s) & Time(s)::
Daily at 8:00 PM until 2:00 AM from September 23, 2011 until October 31, 2011
Location: 525 E. Acequia St. Visalia, CA 93292
Phone: 559-308-2626
Email: fearfactoryhauntedhouse@yahoo.com
Link: http://www.facebook.com/fearfactoryhauntedhouse
Pricing: $10- $30

Event Description

The Fear Factory brings to life the story of a mental hospital of horror, where the doctors and nurses have lost their minds! See the results of human experiments gone bad, where surviving the horror-rific tour is only half the fun!! Sick, depraved doctors and nurses turn on each other and the patients, with horrific consequences. See it all unfold before your eyes, and you search & scream your way through the darkest reaches of twisted horror!
The Fear Factory is located at 525 E. Acequia in Visalia, with easy access for Haunted House enthusiast from throughout the Central Valley and plenty of parking for everyone. Operating hours are Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays 8PM-12MID, Fridays & Saturdays 8PM-2AM. There is also “Wimpy Wednesdays” from 6PM-8PM for the faint of heart!! Fear Factory will be open every day 8PM-2AM the week before Halloween.



THE RAVEN'S GATE

  

Event Details

Date(s) & Time(s):
Starting October 7th Open  Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays at 7pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuedays.  Last day of operation will be on October 30th .
Location: 14295 E. Adams Ave., Parlier, CA 93648   
Website: http://www.TheRavensGate.com 
Email: info@TheRavensGate.com

Pricing: 

Photo Source: theravensgate.com
The Raven's Grove Haunted Forest Ticket- $15.00

The Haunted Hayride:  $12 Adult, $8.00 Children 10 and under

Trick or Treat Forest: $5.00  Ages 8 and under, $5.00 for parents

Fast Pass- $5.00 

The E-Ticket Combo
The Extreme Pass includes Ravens Grove, Haunted Hayride, Midway and Carnival for $23.00 

Midway Carnvial Only- no attractions- $5.00

Event Description

"In July, a 20-acre parcel of land in Parlier was nothing but rows of plum trees, but that was before Mike Callahan began transforming it into a Halloween event unlike any other in the Central Valley. For Callahan, building a haunted attraction from scratch isn’t unfamiliar territory. In 1996, he created a partnership with Satterstrom’s and built the hayride and haunt, and in the following years was the creator and lead designer of Hobb’s Grove, the wildly popular attraction based in Sanger. After 12 years of becoming one of the Central Valley’s finest attractions, Callahan’s partnership with Hobb’s Grove ended, and the facilities closed in 2010.
The Raven’s Gate has all the attractions that Central Valley haunt lovers would expect to find—a haunted forest and a hayride, with plans to add a haunted house next season. New for this facility (and for the area), though, is a “Trick or Treat” forest designed as a non-scare event for children 8-years old and under and a midway roughly the size of a football field, filled with food and retail vendors, and a stage and sound system for nightly entertainment.

“We want to take guests back to an old town, old fashioned carnival atmosphere on the midway. Our lighting is designed to create a feeling of nostalgia,” said Callahan, who says he designed The Raven’s Gate so guests buying a ticket can go straight to one of the haunted attractions or simply relax by the intimate fire pits." -  http://kingsriverlife.com






Photo source: 5thrtrealm.com
5th Realm Haunted House
Days/Times: 5th Realm is open on Fridays and Saturdays
Tickets are available on show nights beginning at 6:30 PM at the box office.

Note that the box office closes at 9:45 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and it closes at 11 p.m. on Fridays and 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays. 
Location: 801 Santa Ana Ave. Clovis CA 93612
Phone Number: (559) 475-9666

Ticket Prices

Delirium in 3D (PG-13): $8

Slaughterhouse (PG-13): $8

Nocturnal (PG-13): $10

Epidemic (PG-13): $10

Insanitarium (PG-13): $10



Combo Tickets (Saves Money)


Triple Combo: $25  Get access to any three attractions for one low price.

Quadruple Combo: $30 Get access to any four attractions for one low price.

Super Combo: $35 Get access to ALL FIVE attractions for one low price.

V.I.P. Combo: $40  Get access to ALL FIVE attractions, plus FRONT OF THE LINE access!



Buy 5th Realm tickets online this season with Paypal, a safe and secure way to pay. You'll choose your items on our site and make the purchase with Paypal -- and once your payment is confirmed, you'll be able to print valid tickets here! (Our tickets contain unique and verifiable ticket codes.)

Event Description

5th Realm Haunted House is the scariest thing to do in the Central Valley this Halloween season. With five scary attractions to choose from, you can see them all by buying combo tickets!

Choose from Slaughterhouse, Delirium in 3D, Epidemic, In-sanitarium, or Nocturnal -- or see them all with our Super Combo and VIP Combo tickets!


HAUNTED FRESNO


Event Description

 Fresno California’s ONLY Haunted Attraction. Haunted Fresno! The ONLY 6 attraction Haunt in the Central Valley. The Fortress of Fear, The House of Zombies, The Séance, The Last Ride, and the Museum of Oddities, and the all new Hellevator are all waiting for you. Come join us for our 4th season of fright with some NEW surprises! Haunted Fresno prides itself on going the extra mile to deliver an extraordinary experience. Take a trip into a horror filled world with shocks and scares around every corner.
Be forewarned, these attractions are not for the faint of heart. Haunted Fresno recommends that you leave the toddlers at home (with a sitter). All ages are welcome, but please use proper judgement for your group.

Make sure to mark your calender and visit Haunted Fresno this season. You will NOT want to miss it.

HOURS:
Thursday & Sunday from 7PM to 11PM.
Friday & Saturday from 7PM to Midnight.

2011 SCHEDULE: “19 Days of Terror!”
OCT. 1st & 2nd
7th, 8th, & 9th
14th, 15th, & 16th
20th, 21st, 22nd, & 23rd
27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, & 31st.

PHONE: (559) 498-0960
Address: 665 Fulton, Fresno, CA 93721




If you're not into the whole scary haunted house vibe, and want some fun for the whole family here are a few places that offer just that : 





HARVEST HOLLOW RANCH
Photo Source: harvesthollowranch.com

Event Description


Harvest Hollow Ranch’s Lemoore adventure returns for its second year to allow visitors to explore the Lost Trails Corn Maze and launch a pumpkin at Pumpkin Patch Hollow.

The corn maze and pumpkin patch are open Oct. 1-31. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

Harvest Hollow Ranch is located at the corner of 21st Avenue and Grangeville Boulevard in Lemoore. For more information: call 210-2114 or visit www.harvesthollowranch.com.
Please Note:  CASH ONLY! Snack concessions and refreshments available for cash purchase. There is absolutely NO SMOKING allowed on or near Harvest Hollow Ranch premises. Thank you!




Vossler Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

Photo Source: vosslerfarms.com

Event Description

HOURS:
Wednesdays & Thursdays from 5PM to 9PM.
Fridays 5PM to to 10PM.
Saturdays 12PM to 10 PM
Sundays 12PM to 9PM
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

located at 26773 South Mooney Blvd., Visalia,CA

ADMISSION
Adults (12 and up) ...$9
Kids (5 to 11)............$7
Seniors (55 and up)...$5
Current Military ID......$5
Kids (4 and under)..free 
Matinee Price.....$5
(matinee price valid Sat. and Sun. noon-5pm only)
Photo Source: vosslerfarms.com
Vossler Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze has opened to the public and there are all kinds of activities for kids to take part in. The farm is located just south of Visalia on Mooney Boulevard. This year they are offering hay and train rides along with miniature corn and hay mazes -- plus any pumpkin you see is available to buy.

Vossler Farms is also offering face painting and a free petting zoo on the weekends. The farm is open every day of the week until dusk.









For more information visit : http://vosslerfarms.com/


 (If you've been to any of the above listed places, let us know how you liked them below in the comments section. )

Monday, October 3, 2011

How to: Halloween Decorations!



Halloween is definitely one of my favorite holidays. I love playing dress up, curling up on the couch watching scary movies, going to haunted houses, and all the other fun fall activities that this time of year brings. Another thing I love, is to decorate our house for Halloween. Every year Martha Stewart comes out with her Halloween Magazine and thought I would share some of her creative ideas to add some Spooktacular decor and sweet treats to your home! 


Shivering Bats Shade How-To

Photo Source: marthastewart.com

Photo Source: marthastewart.com

Photocopy template to desired size; cut out. Using a white wax pencil, trace shape onto black construction paper; cut out. To suspend bats, make a ring from 20-gauge brass wire that fits just inside top of shade, resting on the shade spokes; a translucent white paper lampshade works best. Take a piece of white thread to bat; tie other end to ring. Repeat, hanging bats at varying heights and taping others to lampshade. (If you don't want to have to spend a lot of time cutting out the template from Martha Stewart, you can buy pre-made bats at Michael's that are the same as the template.)




Creepy Candles How to

Cast a sinister glow over any setting with a cluster of white tapers dripping with "blood" (actually red candle wax). Fill a cup or a small pail with sand, and plant white candles inside so they stand upright. Light a red candle and tip it over the white candles so the wax drips down the tops and sides, being careful not to burn yourself. Let wax cool completely before removing candles from sand.



Photo Source: marthastewart.com

Deranged Halloween Arrangement How-To
  1. Use permanent glue to attach vinyl bugs to rose petals.
  2. Paint vinyl snakes using black acrylic paint; let dry. 
  3. Use floral wire to create anchors for coiled snakes: twist 1 end around the snake's middle. Insert other end in vase. 
  4. Secure centipede (or other big bug) to vase with poster putty.
Tools and Materials



Witch Fingers Cookies

Photo Source: marthastewart.com

I first saw these amazing looking cookies a couple years ago in Martha Stewarts Halloween magazine, and thought I would share this neat recipe!

  • Yield Makes 30

  • Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons red food coloring
    • 30 blanched almonds
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), room temperature
    • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
    • 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • Pinch of salt
    • 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

    Directions

    1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with Silpats (French nonstick baking mats) or parchment paper, and set aside.
    2. Place food coloring in a shallow bowl. Using a small paintbrush, color one rounded half of each almond. Set aside to dry.
    3. Separate 1 egg. Set aside the white. In a small bowl, whisk together yolk, remaining egg, and vanilla. Set aside.
    4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter, confectioners' sugar, granulated sugar, and salt. Beat on medium speed until well combined. Add egg mixture, and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the flour, and mix on low speed just until incorporated. Wrap the dough in plastic, and chill until firm, 20 to 30 minutes.
    5. Divide the dough in half. Work with one piece at a time, keeping remaining dough covered with plastic wrap and chilled. Divide the first half into 15 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece back and forth with palms into finger shapes, 3 to 4 inches long. Pinch dough in two places to form knuckles. Score each knuckle lightly with the back of a small knife. Transfer fingers to prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
    6. When all fingers are formed, brush lightly with egg white. Position almond nails; push into dough to attach.
    7. Bake until lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Cool completely



    Candy Corn Candles How To:

    

    Items you will need:

    White Candles any size
    Candy Corn
    Large Glass Candle Holder

    Place candy corn inside the larger candle holder till you fill it up about half way. Add your white candle and continue to add candy corn to your liking. PS- don't eat the candy after burning the candle...  Garnish with some fall leaves.


    Get creative!!! If you're on a budget look at the Dollar Tree Store, they have some great deals and some of the same items Party City and Michaels have! For the Martha Stewart collection look at Michaels.

    Here are some pics from our house this Halloween!