October is a month for everything spooky, scary, fun and festive that anyone whether they’re a child or an adult can indulge in all month. Sometimes these activities start before the month, or the activities continue afterwards. Regardless of when and where they are done, some of the best festivities to participate in are Halloween related and take place during the fall.  

1: Ravenwood Manor

Ravenwood Manor operates every Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. The Manor is located in Beccaria, Pa. at the Hegarty Mansion. Admission is $15 for adults, and $10 for anyone 12 and under. However, Sundays are family nights, and it is $2 less for admission. 

They opened Sept. 30 and will close for the season on Oct. 30. However on Nov. 1 they will reopen their doors for one last scare. There are also a plethora of other things visitors can do at the mansion not counting the haunted house portion. They offer paranormal investigations and photoshoot opportunities.

The theme of the Manor changes every year. A group of my friends and I went through the manor the second day they were open, and this year’s theme was genuinely scary. Although it was scary, I would definitely recommend doing it as the feeling of thrill built up as an adrenaline rush that got me through the entire house. Everything inside was completely unexpected, and I will definitely be going back next year to see what next year’s theme/storyline of the manor is. 

2: Haunted Fort Roberdeau

The haunted Fort Roberdeau trail has been going on every year since 2017, the Astronomy club organized it with Fort Roberdeau as a way to raise money for the club. It occurred on Oct. 8 and started off with a trick-or-treating activity for kids that started at 6:30 p.m. and ended at 7:30 p.m. Then the trail was opened to all which started at 7:45 p.m. and ended at 9:30 p.m. This was $5 per person or $10 per carload. 

Every year the students in the Astronomy Club stay along the trail in costume to deliver a spooky experience. This trail is a group activity led by other students who are tour guides. I attended this event with a group of friends as well. I enjoyed it as I like being in the woods and walking trails. The Hunter’s Moon was only a day after so having the moon nearly full added to the experience which was awesome. It was very child friendly and would suggest that anyone with any interest in bringing children to a Halloween event to attend next year’s trail. 

This experience was followed up by an opportunity to stargaze at the fort. 

3: Trick or treat 

In Altoona, trick-or-treat night is typically held on the last Thursday of October. It is always free, and is typically from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

This tradition varies depending on where someone is trick-or-treating, and many people have different traditions on that night. This has varied due to safety and COVID-19 procedures; however the same tradition is usually carried throughout the night. 

Children dress up in various costumes to go out with older family members or family friends to collect treats, usually in some sort of bag. However children aren’t the only ones who trick-or-treat. Teenagers even participate in this night of candy collecting. Last year I took my siblings trick-or-treating, and it was unbelievably cold, but it was also very fun. We saw so many people in cool costumes, neighborhood people complimented my witch costume, and I was able to get my baby sister two extra bags of candy.

Some adults even throw parties on this night to enjoy Halloween treats and candy.

4: Trunk or Treat 

Trunk-or-treat is also becoming much more popular for children to participate in. Children go from car to car to get candy. There aren’t any specific days for these events because they tend to vary from day to day and place to place. This event is typically free as well. 

Children come in costume and however the cars are set up is how they go down the line to get candy. People park their cars and open their trunks. They use their trunks for displaying any decoration, and they pass their candy out right there. 

I’ve attended many in the past to get candy with my siblings. However last year, I had the opportunity to decorate a truck and put up a canopy with our Mountain Echo and Horseshoe Yearbook staffs to pass out candy. That was an amazing experience to have. 

This year the Mountain Echo Newspaper and Horseshoe Yearbook staffs will be attending the indoor trick-or-treat. We will be passing out candy along with many other tricks and treats. Twelve other clubs will be in attendance with us. It is going to take place on the first floor of the B building on Monday Oct. 31, and it will start at 6 p.m.