<lst>Here's a selection of spooky happenings taking place around the region.
<cal2>Harpers Scary Haunted House, a scary family attraction at Lake Fairfax Park, is open Oct. 23-27, Oct. 30-31, and Nov. 1-2. Special daytime hours for children under 10 will be available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. The regular hours are weekdays and Sunday, 7:30-11 p.m. with extended hours on Friday and Saturday until midnight. Admission is $12 until Oct. 30, $13 for Oct. 31, $10 for Nov. 1-2, and $8 for daytime hours. Call 703-471-5414 or visit www.harpersscary.com for more information.
Riverside Campfire--Halloween Howls, Friday, Oct. 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Riverbend Visitor Center in Great Falls. A spectacular campfire includes pumpkin games, animal sounds and ghoulish stories. Bring a toasting stick, blanket and flashlight; s'mores are provided. Come at 6 p.m. for picnic dinner and hot dog roasting. Reservations required, $3. Call 703-759-9018.
After Dark in the Park — Hidden Pond Night Talk and Walk, Oct. 25, 7-9 p.m. Hear about Hidden Pond's spooky past while sitting around a campfire and roasting s'mores, then search the forest for nocturnal animals. $3, will be canceled for rain. Call Hidden Pond Nature Center at 703-451-9588 to make a reservation.
The 11th Annual Halloween Spooktacular and Costume Parade will occur on Oct. 31 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Great Falls Village Center. For more information, contact the Village Centre Condominium Association at 703-759-2485 or at www.greatfallsva.com.
Jolly Jack-O-Lanterns. Thursday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055 for more information. Songs, stories and pumpkin lighting. Ages 3-5 with adult.
Vienna's annual Halloween party for children ages 4-12 will take place Saturday, Oct. 26, 2- 3:30 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E. Admission is free. There will be carnival games and prizes for everyone.
Boneyard Hunt for Dogs: Halloween fun for kids and their canines at Lake Accotink. On Saturday, Oct. 26 at 3 p.m., take a short walk to the "boneyard" where treats are hidden for the dogs and their companions. Enter the costume contest for special prizes and treats. All dogs must be leashed and friendly towards other dogs, kids and people. $4 per dog. To register, send the participant's name, address, telephone number, program title and a check payable to Fairfax County Park Authority to Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA 22150. For more information or to pay by credit card, call Lake Accotink at 703-569-0285.
Halloween Goblin Golf on the Lucky Duck Miniature Golf Course. Play with glowing balls, ride the carousel and finish with a treasure hunt. Saturday, Oct. 26 from 6-9 p.m. $6 per child. To register, send the participant's name, address, telephone number, program title and a check payable to Fairfax County Park Authority to Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA 22150. Fore more information or to pay by credit card, call Lake Accotink at 703-569-0285.
Jolly Jack-O-Lanterns. Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. For more information, call 703-978-5600. Stories and pumpkin lighting. Age 3-5 with adult.
Fright Night. Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Call 703-644-7333 to register. Stories for the brave of heart. All ages.
Harmon's Hayrides offers hayrides on Belgian Draft horses through the Virginia Fall countryside for groups of 20 to 140 people. The rides are offered at Meadow Acres Farm evenings at 7 and 8:30 p.m. On weekends, the times are 2, 3:30, 5, 7 and 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Cost is $4/child under 12 and $8/teens and adults. A campfire afterwards with cider and doughnuts is an additional $4/person. Meadow Acres Farm is located at 43120 Hollyspring Lane, Centreville. Call 703-327-6731. E-mail: belgins@erols.com.
Clifton, Virginia’s 3rd annual Haunted Park will take place on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25 and 26, from 7-11 p.m. Eight acres of woods are transformed into an adventure along a pitch dark path. The event is not recommended for young children. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children. Haunted Park is on Chapel Street in Clifton.
The 2nd Annual Haunted House will take place from Friday, Oct. 25 through Monday, Oct. 28 at the Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Department, 2148 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring. The haunt is aimed at scaring guests. For young children, there will be a lights-on program on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 2-5 p.m. Other hours are Friday, Oct. 25, from 8-11 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 26, from 6-11:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 27, from 6-9 p.m.; and Monday, Oct. 28, from 8-10 p.m. Tickets are $7 per person and can be purchased in advance (by Oct. 24) for a discount. The cost for the lights-on program is $2 per person. Discounts are available for groups of 15 with advanced reservations. Call 703-560-9413 or e-mail to Haunt@dlvfrd.org for complimentary admission tickets.
Halloween Party at Rene's Supper Club, 3151 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, on Thursday, Oct. 31 beginning at 8 p.m. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres for all guests. Costumes are preferred, culminating in the election of the "Queen and King of Halloween, 2002." DJ Christian will play Latin and American rhythms. Admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
Halloween Extravaganza hosted by students from Fairfax County Public School’s Springfield Classroom-on-the-Mall program. Students will manage seven stations throughout Springfield Mall on Thursday, Oct. 31. These stations will feature Halloween arts, crafts and games. This event will take place in conjunction with the mall’s “Spooktacular,” in which children may trick-or-treat in stores throughout the mall.