From haunted forests and nature trails to candle-making classes, fall brings a flurry of activity to the area.
With October’s arrival, we’re all packing away our shorts and getting out our cozy sweaters before heading off to enjoy haunted nature trails, fall festivals, and seasonal concerts.
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Fall decor fills the stores and yards.Here are just a few of the entertainment options available this month:
- The Haunted Forest at Camp Fish Tales in Pinconning The forest at 2177 E. Erickson Road in Pinconning is open for brave tourists from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 22, 23, and 24. Kid-friendly tours are offered until 8:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 13 and under. All proceeds from ticket sales go to the camp to provide scholarships, maintenance, and programming.
- If running through haunted spaces is more your style, then stop at Camp Fish Tales on Oct. 23 for a 7 to 9 p.m. Moonlight 5K Run. Bring your headlamps for the moonlight run. All runners receive pint glasses and those 21 and over get a ticket for a Bloody Mary bar. The race is $25 for adults and $15 for kids 17 and under.
- Fall in Michigan isn’t just about spooky stuff. The Bay City State Park, 3582 State Park Drive, invites everyone to Mother Nature’s Halloween Trail. The event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 9. Bring the kids. The event features costumed volunteers providing information about misunderstood animals such as bats, wolves, and spiders.
- At Warmbier Farms, 5300 Garfield in Auburn, you can enjoy a corn maze from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. On Oct. 16 and 23, the farm will open its corn maze for night tours between 6 and 9 p.m. Admission is $5. (The farm also sells home décor and garden items throughout the week.)
- On Oct. 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., show up in costume in Downtown Bay City for its Treats & Treasures event. You’re invited to trick or treat at your favorite businesses plus vote on the annual scarecrow contest. Don’t miss the costume parade beginning at 2 p.m. in Wenonah Park.
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Fall brings a new round of seasonal activities to the Great Lakes Bay Region.Not everyone looks forward to the crisp days and nights of fall, so here are a few options for those who want to enjoy the season inside:
- During the Halloween Haunt-Cert on Oct. 30, you can enjoy Halloween music performed by a quartet from the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra. The 3 p.m. event will be held at the State Theatre, 913 Washington Ave. Admission is $3 for children 13 and under; $5 for adults; and $10 for a family of four. You’ll enjoy music ranging from movies such as “Harry Potter,” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” to classic pieces.
- On Oct. 23, Studio 23/The Arts Center, 901 N. Water St., offers a Candle-Making Workshop with Dark Candles. The workshop is from 5 to 8 p.m. and the registration fee includes all materials and instructions. Come early and take advantage of a Curiosities and Wonder Exposition featuring vendors, activities, and a craft bar. Registration is $25 for members and $35 for non-members.
If those events aren’t enough for you, then check out the
2021 Family Halloween Guide for the Great Lakes Bay Region from Great Lakes Bay Parents.
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Kathy Roberts, a graduate of Central Michigan University, moved to Bay City in 1987 to start a career in the newspaper industry. She was a reporter and editor at the Bay City Times for 15 years before leaving to work at the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Covenant HealthCare, and Ohno Design. In 2019, she returned to her storytelling roots as the Managing Editor of Route Bay City. When she’s not editing or writing stories, you can find her reading books, knitting, or visiting the bars of Bay County. You can reach Kathy at
editor@RouteBayCity.com