Halloween and fall festivities brewing in Merced County

The “spookiest” time of the year is here and several Merced-area groups are putting on a variety of events for the entire family.

For those in search of ideas, here is a list of Halloween and fall-themed events across Merced County this month:

Frightmare Farms

People looking for a thrill this Halloween can visit Frightmare Farms in the farming community of Plainsburg, about 20 minutes southeast of Merced. The haunted attraction is not meant for the faint of heart, according to organizers. The farm includes a walk through a monster-infested barn called “Barnyard Slaughter” and a hayride through a spooky cornfield called “Frightmare Express.” To check dates and prices, go to www.frightmarefarms.com.

Bear Creek Pumpkin Patch

Vista Ranch and Cellars off Highway 140 will be open all month for its Bear Creek Pumpkin Patch. Activities include pumpkin carving, face painting, corn grinding, a corn maze and educational tours. Bear Creek Pumpkin Patch, previously located at South Bear Creek Drive, also offers a variety of heirloom pumpkins, Indian corn, squash, gourds, wheat stalks and more. For more information, call 209-722-8200.

Applegate Park Zoo annual ‘ZooBoo!’

The annual ZooBoo! event at Applegate Park Zoo will include trick-or-treating, a kiddie corral petting zoo and carnival games. Children are encouraged to wear a costume. The zoo will host the event from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 23-24. Admission is $1.50.

You-Pick Pumpkin Patch

Merced College will host its annual pumpkin patch Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25. The pumpkin sale will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both weekends. Prices range from 50 cents to $5. Proceeds benefit the Merced College Farm. Parking is available on G Street and Community College Drive.

Fall Festival at Charleston Elementary

Charleston Elementary School in Los Banos will host a Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The family event is open to the public and will feature carnival games, food stands and a silent auction.

ABC Fall Harvest Carnival

The Youth Ministry of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church presents the ABC Fall Harvest Carnival. The event will feature games, a bounce house, joust, candy and food. The carnival will run from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at 404 W. Sixth St. The event is free and costumes are optional.

Bloody Lullaby Haunted Halloween Tour in Snelling

Lee’s River View Ranch and Happy Hour Event Coordinators present “Bloody Lullaby,” a haunted Halloween tour, running Thursdays through Sundays through Oct. 31. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the haunts run until midnight Friday and Saturday and 10 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays at 15080 N. Snelling Road. Tour tickets are $12. Other attractions include a haunted hayride and hay maze for $5.

Barnes & Noble Halloween storytime and activities

On Oct. 24, storytime at the Merced Barnes & Noble on Olive Avenue will feature “Click, Clack, Boo!: A Tricky Treat” at 10 a.m. On Oct. 31, storytime at 11 a.m. will feature “Peanut Butter & Brains: A Zombie Culinary” as well as arts and crafts and sweet treats.

Yosemite Church candy and costumes

Bounce houses and candy giveaways will precede a church service from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31 on the Yosemite Church campus at 2230 E. Yosemite Ave. in Merced. The church service begins at 6 p.m. and will feature a costume contest.

Fall Festival at Gateway Community Church

Festival activities will include carnival games, food, prizes, candy, bounce houses and a trunk or treat from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Gateway Community Church, 353 E. Donna Drive in Merced.

Our Lady of Mercy School Halloween Carnival

OLM, at 1400 E. 27th St. in Merced, will hold its annual Halloween Carnival from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Delhi High School trunk or treat

Delhi High School will have a trunk-or-treat event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30 in the school parking lot, 16881 Schendel Ave. Adults who plan to participate should arrive at 5 p.m. to set up and decorate their car.

Hilmar churches trunk or treat

Holy Rosary/St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Hilmar Covenant Church are partnering for a trunk-or-treat event at Holy Rosary, 8471 Cypress St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31. There will be games, bounce houses, a cupcake walk, food and a Dippin’ Dots booth.

Merced Boys & Girls Club trunk or treat

The Merced Boys & Girls Club is partnering with other community organizations to host its trunk or treat and haunted houses at the McCombs Youth Center, 615 W. 15th St., from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31. There will be a scary haunted house as well as a kid-friendly one to go with carnival activities and a pumpkin patch. This is the fourth year the club has hosted the event, and it expects a big crowd and a full parking lot.

STARZ dancers Halloween costume carnival

STARZ dancers out of Atwater will host a carnival with a dance performance, crafts, games and food from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Atwater Service Center, 158 E. Broadway Ave.

Merced County Library events

The Le Grand, Los Banos, Hilmar, Livingston, Atwater, Gustine and Merced branches of the Merced County Library will have Halloween-related events the week leading up to Halloween. Activities include costume storytime, pumpkin painting, a candy corn guessing game, and trick or treating. For more information, call 209-385-1485 or go to www.mercedcountylibrary.org.

This story was originally published October 7, 2015 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Halloween and fall festivities brewing in Merced County."