Halloween: Day Into… Night

    Halloween is a popular holiday that dates back over 2,000 years.  The original birth name for Halloween was called “All Hollows Eve” which means the night before “All Hollows Day,” the day we refer to as “All Saints Day”, November 1st.  This secular holiday was mainly based on the celebration of death, the supernatural and the changing of seasons.  Many cultures, specifically Irish and Spanish, celebrated with feasting, bonfires and sacrificial offerings, in which they paid homage to the dead.  
    Since the 16th Century, the holiday has evolved and our definition of Halloween has evolved from what our ancestors perceived it to be.  Today, we dress-up in costume to enjoy a day of fun with trick-or-treating, silly pranks, scary movies and alike. Nowadays, Halloween has become a celebration for adults too!  There are many activities to do for the days before and leading up to Halloween.  Not only have costumes and candy become a part of the holiday, but pumpkin and apple picking has traditionalized itself as well. During the day, take the family out east and visit the farms for apple and pumpkin picking, or take part in a corn maze (which is great for children and adults), horse-back riding or stop at a local stand and purchase a fresh baked pie or roasted corn. At night, adults can participate and have fun with haunted corn mazes and haunted houses.  

DAY
Harbes Family Farm & Orchard, 5698 Sound Ave, Riverhead, (631) 369-1111
If you’re looking to head out East for some family fun, be sure to stop at Harbes Family Farm & Orchard in Riverhead. Now is a great time to spend the day apple picking in their 15-acre apple orchard (open every weekend 9am-6pm through Oct.), or find the perfect pumpkin right off the vine in their 5-acre pumpkin patch.  There is plenty to do at Harbes Farm, including the corn maze and hay rides. Combination ticket prices start at $17 (ages 3-12) and $19 (ages 13+).  For more information, go to harbesfamilyfarm.com

Schmitts Family Farm, 26 Pinelawn Rd., Melville, (631) 271-3276
Open Saturdays and Sundays through October
On the weekend, bring your family here and enjoy this farm with their 7-acre corn maze, free hayrides, playground, pumpkin picking, pony rides and more. The daytime Corn maze tickets are $8 and will be open from 9-5pm on weekends. The Children’s Daytime haunted mansion is open from 
12pm-5pm.  Tickets cost $6. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter. For more information go to www.schmittfarms.com

Bayville Scream Park, 8 Bayville Ave., Bayville, (516) 62-GHOST
Starting from now through November 7th; come visit the entertainingly haunted Bayville Scream Park.  Known as one of the scariest haunted attractions on Long Island, Bayville Scream Park caters to all ages. During the day visit the park for entertaining attractions such as: mini golf, Halloween Express train ride, pumpkin patch and pumpkin bounce house. Ticket prices start at $22.75. For more information, go to 
bayvillescreampark.com

NIGHT
Schmitts Family Farm: 
After a day of pumpkin picking with the family, make sure to visit Schmitts’ haunted mansion, haunted corn maze and The Experiment.  
Whether it’s a walk through the haunted mansion, dare to explore the haunted corn maze in the dark or become a test subject in The Experiment, Schmitt’s offers a good scare.  Open Friday & Saturday 7-12 midnight, Sunday 7-11pm. Corn Maze is $11, Haunted Mansion is $19, The 
Experiment is $5 or combo packages are available.

Harbes Farm & Orchard: 
In the evening, come with your friends or family and experience the spooky corn maze at Harbes Farms.  It’s $13.95 per person for general 
admission and flashlights are required to enter.  Bring your own or purchase one there.  Open from 7-9:30pm every Friday and Saturday until October 31, weather permitting.  The Spooky Maze is suitable for all ages.  

Bayville Scream Park  
If you’re ready for a night filled with terrors, visit Bayville Scream Park and experience why they’ve been voted one of the scariest haunted attraction nine years in a row!  The park features new walk-throughs and a total of five attractions for 2015.  If you dare, attempt The Bloodworth Manor, Uncle Needles Funhouse of Fear in 3D, The Temple of Terror, The Curse of the Zombie Pirates and/or The Evil in the Woods—these terrifying attractions will guarantee to knock your socks off.  The park will be open every day through Halloween; Sunday and Weekdays from 6pm-11pm; Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm-2am.  Ticket prices vary and start at $19.75 (depending on attractions), Combo packages available start at $29.75.  For more information go to bayvillescreampark.com