HANCOCK COUNTY — Halloween happenings in Hancock County run the gamut from family-centered to fitness-oriented to frightening. Here are just a few of the local options for ghostly fun:
Dance the night away with Rhythms by Stacey
Rhythms by Stacey is planning a Halloween Dance from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday at the Memorial Building, 98 E. North St., Greenfield. The cost is $10 per person. Attendees are welcome to dress in costumes and bring a snack to share. Attendees must be 21 or older to participate. Call 317-627-4750 for more information.
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BARKtober Fest is Halloween for dogs
Greenfield-Hancock Animal Management, 809 S. State St., Greenfield, will host its fourth annual BARKtober Fest from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. This dog-friendly, free-admission event features pet adoptions, a costume contest, a bake sale for dogs and humans, hot dogs, burgers and chips, local vendors and games for kids and dogs. The rain date is scheduled for October 26. Visit BARKtober Fest on Facebook for more information.
Piney Acres offers a choice of haunts
Piney Acres, 1115 E. 1000N, Fortville, offers a number of haunted opportunities with the Haunted Loft, the Haunted Corn Maze and the Haunted Hayride. Ticket prices range from $9 to $34 depending what kind of scares you’re looking for and whether you purchase tickets online or at the door. All three Piney Acres haunts revolve around the fictional back story of Dr. Rex E. Zenors, who fled the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, settled in rural Hancock County and opened a medical practice. In the years following the creepy doctor’s arrival, people and animals began disappearing from the countryside, and the townsfolk began to suspect bizarre experiments. His secret lab was discovered in the Haunted Loft of the Piney Acres Farm, and he was eventually hanged for his crimes. The Haunted Corn Maze is the resting place of all the people and animals that disappeared during Dr. Rex’s reign of scientific terror. The Haunted Hay Ride allows visitors to enjoy the farm’s ghastly inhabitants from the safety of a farm wagon as a guide narrates stories of Dr. Rex and his experiments. Piney Acres is open Fridays and Saturdays through the end of October. For more information, visit pineyacresfarm.com or indyhauntedloft.com.
Dig up a date for the Zombie Prom
The walking dead are encouraged to dress in their ghoulish best for the annual Zombie Prom from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 27 at Ten West Center for the Arts, 10 W. Church St., Fortville. This all-ages dance will feature a DJ, hors d’oeuvres, mocktails and a costume contest with prizes for winners in multiple categories. Tickets are $10 per person or $15 for couples. All proceeds go to Ten West’s mission of keeping youth creative in the community.
Boos & Brews on tap in downtown Greenfield
The 21-and-over crowd is invited to celebrate Halloween with Boos & Brews Oct. 26 in downtown Greenfield. Those planning to attend can purchase a $15 passport in advance at greenfieldmainstreet.com or from 4-6 p.m. at Lincoln Square Pancake House, 118 W. Main St. the day of the event. Spend at least $5 for a passport stamp at three or more participating restaurants for a treat. Drink and dine from 4-10 p.m. Enjoy the Boos and Brews beer garden in the Living Alley between North and Main Streets between 7-10 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes for a contest at the Living Alley at 9 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the best male, best female, best couple and best group costumes. For more information, visit greenfieldmainstreet.org.
Zumba Halloween will be a ball
The Costume Ball at Kids Zumba is free and open to the public from 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Hancock Wellness, 888 W. New Road, Greenfield. Participants should come dressed in costume to burn some calories and enjoy the music at this kid-friendly aerobic class. Treats will be available after the class. Visit hancockwellness.org for more information.
Take your pick for trick-or-treat
Downtown Fortville offers Treats on Main from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 27. Children are welcome to dress and costume and travel from business to business collecting treats from participating shops.
Hank, the Hancock Health mascot, invites the entire community to Hank’s Halloween Spooktacular, from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26 at Hancock Regional Hospital, 801 N. State St., Greenfield. This safe Halloween alternative will feature hospital staff in costume, activities, photo opportunities and allergy-safe treats. For more information, visit Hank’s Halloween Spooktacular on Facebook.
The Greenfield Area Soccer Club will host a Trunk-or-Treat from 6-8 p.m. Oct 27 at Brandywine Park, 900 E. Davis Road. The event will include contests for costumes and trunk decorating, games, prizes, a haunted house and glow light soccer. Spots are still open for cars to participate at [email protected].
