Trick or Treat Yo’ Self!

Regardless of your thoughts on pumpkin spice, fall is in full swing! Just for your family, SPLURGE! has compiled a collection of activities throughout the month of October. Grab your boots, flannels and a PSL and check out these area attractions. 

Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes

Marietta Farm

Hale bales transformed into farm animals, family pets and even two Kansas City Chiefs stars — that’s the mark of Marietta Farm Pumpkin Patch in Andover. The hay bale art can be spotted from Kellogg just to the south of the pumpkin patch, and has become a staple for the patch in its seven years. “We love our hay animals, it’s one of the most fun and most challenging things we do,” said Jacob Marietta with Marietta Farm Pumpkin Patch. “We have a ton of people come out to get their pictures taken with them.”

It’s just one of the many attractions at the pumpkin patch, which also includes a local market, kids’ rides, wagon rides, zombie paintball, an onion cannon, a family fun zone and much more. This year, the pumpkin patch has added a larger maze, a new swing set and new food and coffee options, something Marietta has been working on throughout the year. “I am a fall guy, I’m looking forward to sweatshirts in the patch and warm cups of coffee in the morning,” Marietta said. “I think it’s one of the prettiest times here in Kansas.”

Location: 1600 E. US-54 Hwy., Andover, KS 

What to expect: Hay bale art, a local market, kids rides, wagon rides, zombie paintball, an onion cannon, a family fun zone and much more. This year the pumpkin patch has added a larger maze, a new swing set and new food and coffee options.

Website: mariettafarm.com 

Applejack Pumpkin Patch

Location: 10007 SW Indianola Rd, Augusta, KS

What to expect: Pick-from-the-vine pumpkin patch, corn maze, grain train, wagon rides, slides and more. Live bands on Fridays in October at 5:30, wine and beer served, adults only.

Website: applejackpumpkinpatch.com 

Walter’s Pumpkin Patch

Location: 10001 NW U.S. Highway 77, Burns, KS

Open: Every day during the week of Halloween. 

What to expect: New attractions include pig racers, a zipline, carnival games, live music and events on stage, including balloon twisting and a reptile rescue and educational center. Plus, pick-your-own pumpkin, corn maze, slides, wagon rides, face painting, games and much more. 

Website: thewaltersfarm.com 

Cedar Creek Farm & Pumpkin Patch

Location: 6100 N. 119th St. W., Maize, KS

What to expect: Pumpkin patch, corn maze, fire pit, barrel train, pony rides, petting zoo, photo opportunities, corn pit, hay bale climbing, kids’ activities.

Website: cedarcreekict.com

Klausmeyer Dairy Farm & Pumpkin Patch

Location: 8135 S. 119th St. S., Clearwater, KS

What to expect: Pumpkin patch, corn maze, pig races, milking demo, fire pit, jumping pillows, gem mining, petting zoo, hay bale maze, barrel rides, hay wagon ride, playground, corn pit, ax throwing, food trailers and more. 

Website: klausmeyerdairyfarms.com

Meadowlark Farm & Pumpkin Patch

Location: 11249 SW 160th St., Rose Hill, KS

Opening day: Open year round; pumpkin patch opens October 1.

What to expect: Pick your own pumpkin from the vine, U-pick apple orchard, tractor-trailer ride to the patch on Saturdays and Sundays, market with apple cider donuts, snacks, salsas, jams, fresh pressed apple cider, slushies and hard cider on tap for sale. 

Website: themeadowlarkfarm.com 

Mr. Gourdman’s Pumpkin Patch

Location: 3750 S. Dusty Rd., Derby, KS

Opening day: October 5

What to expect: Pumpkin patch, playground, fishing (bring your own tackle), hay-rack ride, campfire, “The Little Rascals” movies, live music most days, personal coolers welcome, snacks and beverages available for purchase, open mic and karaoke, maze.

Website: pumpkinpatchwichita.com 

P and M Pumpkin Ranch

Location: 311 16th Ave., Moundridge, KS

What to expect: Pumpkin patch, bouncers, zip lines, obstacle course, pedal karts, pig races, sports barn, slides, mini golf, zinnia and sunflower fields, corn pit, wagon rides, candy cannon and more. 

Website: pandmpumpkinranch.com 

Haunted Houses

13 Sinister Souls

Location: 527 E. Harry St., Wichita, KS

Dates: October 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, 31; November 1, 2

What to expect: Navigate through 20 rooms covering 10,000 square feet haunted by 13 evil souls.

Website: 13sinistersouls.com 

Field of Screams and Clown Town

Location: 4055 N. Tyler Rd., Maize, KS

Dates: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October, plus October 17, 24, 31 and November 1, 2

What to expect: Make your way through the haunted grounds filled with sorghum fields, forests, trenches, tunnels and more. Clown Town is filled with scary clowns, mazes and 3D effects. 

Website: scaryprairiepines.com 

Haunted Cannery Spook House and Lunatic Asylum at Walters Farm & Pumpkin Patch

Location: 10001 NW Highway 77, El Dorado, KS

Dates: Every Friday and Saturday in October

What to expect: This attraction takes you on a covered hay wagon ride through the farm and drops you off at an abandoned four-story canning elevator filled with zombies, clowns, chainsaws and other nightmares, and nearby is the Lunatic Asylum haunted maze. 

Website: hauntedcannery.com 

Wicked Island at OJ Watson Park

Location: 3022 S. McLean Blvd., Wichita, KS

Dates: Every Friday and Saturday in October

What to expect: Plant Kingdom and the City of Wichita team up for a walk through a haunted wooded island at OJ Watson Park. The haunted house is closed on Halloween for Tricks and Treats, a family-friendly event in the park.

Website: wickedwoodswichita.com 

Zombie Paintball at Klausmeyer Dairy Farm & Pumpkin Patch

Location: 8135 S. 119th St. S., Clearwater, KS

Dates: October 12, 19, 26

What to expect: This haunted attraction includes a ride on a haystack trailer equipped with paintball guns and ammo, and live zombies chasing behind. 

Website: klausmeyerdairyfarms.com

Family Friendly

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular 

Where: Botanica

Dates: October 9–12

What to expect: More than 1,000 jack-o-lanterns carved by volunteer groups in Wichita are on display throughout the botanical garden. Featuring pumpkin sculptures, aerial acrobats, fire dancing, live music, Halloween movies and more. 

Website: botanica.org

BooFest 

Where: Exploration Place

Dates: October 18, 19, 25, 26

What to expect: A family-friendly party throughout the museum including trick-or-treating, a cookie walk, hands-on science experiments, Halloween games and more. Costumes are encouraged. 

Website: exploration.org

Hay, Hooves and Halloween

Where: Old Cowtown Museum

Dates: October 19–20

What to expect: A family-friendly trick-or-treating event including candy, costumes, zombie cowboys, ghosts haunting the historic houses and the Headless Horseman riding through the streets. 

Website: oldcowtown.org 

Dia de los Muertos

Where: Nomar International Market

Date: November 2 

What to expect: Celebrate this authentic Mexican holiday with traditional alters, food, music, dancing, art and more. 

Adult Events

Tallgrass Film Festival 

An October staple returns for its 22nd year, now with a few spooky additions. The Tallgrass Film Festival kicks off October 23 with a free screening of “The Wizard of Oz” at Naftzger Park to celebrate the film’s 85th anniversary. Throughout the weekend, the festival will lean into the Halloween season with events like a screening of “Young Frankenstein” on the Orpheum’s restored 35mm projector, and a zombie movie party complete with zombie-themed makeup and costumes on October 26. 

“We are trying to lean into the theme a little bit while we celebrate independent film all over the world,” said Melanie Addington, executive director of the Tallgrass Film Festival. 

Not all of the events are focused on the season, though: With dozens of films screening over four days, there’s something for any interest, and many films from close to home. Addington says the festival is highlighting Kansas filmmakers and stories about Kansas, including “American Underdog” featuring Danny Trejo. 

“[Festival goers] can view a lot of films where they might spy their neighbor on screen, or it might be in the movie theaters in a couple months, so it’s a way to celebrate new storytellers,” Addington said. 

Most film screenings will be hosted downtown at Century II, the Orpheum Theater or the Advanced Learning Library, with tickets ranging from a single movie ticket up to the Tallpass that gets you in to every movie, party and VIP event. The festival also provides free events to the community, including panels and some screenings. 

“It’s really about celebrating our community — I think that’s something we all learned over the last four years: how important it is when we can be together, and movies become the bridge that build our community,” Addington said. You can buy tickets and passes online, and at the box office for most film screenings. 

Where: Screenings are mostly at Century II, the Advanced Learning Library and the Orpheum Theater

Dates: October 24–27 (Plus a free screening of “The Wizard of Oz” at Naftzger Park on Oct. 23)

Website: tallgrassfilm.org

Haunted Hops

Where: Botanica

Date: October 18

What to expect: Stroll through the haunted gardens while sipping on themed craft beers from local and regional breweries and listening to live music.

Website: botanica.org 

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 

Where: The Orpheum Theater

Date: October 18

What to expect: The annual midnight screening of the 1975 cult classic, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Costumes are encouraged, but not required. 

Website: wichitaorpheum.com 

Spooky Night of Treasures 

Where: Museum of World Treasures

Date: October 25 

What to expect: This event is a Halloween-themed fundraiser for the museum featuring a live haunted tour, food, drinks and more. 

Website: worldtreasures.org 

Running Events

WSU Pumpkin Run 5K

Date: October 19

Where: Wichita State University 

What to expect: This race includes both 5K and 1K distances throughout the Wichita State campus. 

Website: Go to wichita.edu and search for “Pumpkin Run”

Monster Dash 5K 

Date: October 26

Where: Strataca, Hutchinson, KS

What to expect: Run or walk this 5K 650 feet underground in the Strataca Salt Mine. Costumes are encouraged. 

Website: underkansas.org 

Grace Hill Haunted Wine Run 5K

Date: October 27

Where: Grace Hill Winery

What to expect: Costumes are encouraged for this Halloween-themed race through Grace Hill Winery. Registration includes a wine glass and a pour of wine. 

Website: gracehillwinery.com