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Five Not-So-Scary Halloween Fall Events Around Buffalo, New York

Updated on September 4, 2013

Halloween Family Fun

Do you live near Buffalo, New York? Are looking for a not-so-scary alternative to the usual Halloween haunted house events? You've come to the right place.

Buffalo is known for its year-round festivals and events and there are plenty of options around Halloween time; from corn mazes, a hayride at a farm, trick or treating at the local mall or a party at the neighborhood fire house.

I have made it a Halloween tradition to take my nieces and nephews to events where we can all enjoy the activities that won't give the younger children nightmares, but will keep the older ones entertained. Our ages vary from five years old to fifty, so we like events with lots of variety. Here are some of our favorites.

Photo by Holiday Hollow

Get Ready For The Event

Extreme Face Painting: 50 Friendly & Fiendish Step-by-Step Demos
Extreme Face Painting: 50 Friendly & Fiendish Step-by-Step Demos
If you're kids hate masks, paint their faces instead. A very good tutorial.
 
Quick Costumes for Kids: 30 Great Fancy Dress Ideas
Quick Costumes for Kids: 30 Great Fancy Dress Ideas
I used this book for great costumes for my nieces and nephews.
 
Nifty, Thrifty, No-Sew Costumes and Props
Nifty, Thrifty, No-Sew Costumes and Props
If you can't sew or don't have the time, this book is for you. My sister-in-law made her daughters' costumes from this book in one hour!
 
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Number Five: Monster Mash Breakfast

Old Falls Street, Niagara Falls, New York

Have the kids put on their best Halloween costume and head down to Niagara Falls for the annual Monster Mash Breakfast.

Friendly ghosts and ghouls join you for a spooky breakfast buffet of green scrambled eggs, mummy sausages, and oozing topping pancakes. The rest of the morning is filled with fun Halloween crafts, trick or treating and many surprises. There's even an age appropriate haunted house.

The younger kids really love this event, especially the fun themed food. Last year there was a DJ and dancing. This unique event happens early enough in the day for your family to catch another event in the afternoon or early evening.

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What You Need to Know

The Monster Mash Breakfast is located at

Niagara Falls Conference and Event Center

101 Old Falls Street

Niagara Falls, NY

716-278-2100

The event is held the last Saturday in October from 9am to 11am

Cost is $7 per adult, $5 for children and seniors

The image is an antique postcard from my colllection.

Don't Forget the Bag

Your little monsters need a great bag to collect all their event treats and prizes.

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Number Four: The Buffalo Zoo

Buffalo, New York

The annual Howl-O-Ween Hayride at the Buffalo Zoo is more fun than a pumpkin full of monkeys. Little ghouls and boys can play games; participate in a costume parade and trick or treat at stations throughout the zoo. Visit with elephants, giraffes, reptiles, and seals along with all the other animals in the zoo.

We always have a great time at this event. We all love to see the animals and all the extras make the early evening fun. The younger kids enjoy the cider and donut break between all the activities.

Photo courtesy of the Buffalo Zoo.

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What You Need to Know

The Buffalo Zoo is located at

300 Parkside Avenue

Buffalo, NY 14214

716-837-3900

Howl-O-Ween Hayrides are held the last two weekends in October from 4pm to 7pm

Admission is $6 for Zoo members, $9 for non-members

Photo courtesy of the Buffalo Zoo.

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Number Three: Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum Spooktacular

North Tonawanda, New York

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum has been holding their Spooktacular for nearly twenty years and staff and volunteers have it down to a science. Every October the museum is transformed into a friendly haunted factory with pumpkins, black and orange streamers, black and orange balloons and funny Halloween characters. Even the carrousel horses wear masks!

A reasonable admission includes carrousel rides, refreshments, treats, games, crafts, and entertainment. There is an extra charge for the silent acution. Children are encouraged to wear their costumes. Adults in costumes are not admitted for child safety reasons.

The carrousel museum Spooktacular is a yearly event we never miss. The musuem has both an operating kiddie carousel for little kids and an antique 1916 full size carrousel so everyone can ride. My older niece, nephews and I have also volunteered as workers some years. We've had a blast as volunteers and as participants. I highly recommend this event.

This photo of the musuem's kiddie carrousel is by Travelmaven.

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What You Need To Know

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is located at

180 Thompson St.

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

716-693-1885

The Spooktacular takes place on the third Friday of October from 5:30pm to 8pm.

Admission: $8 for children 2 to 12 years and $2 for adults

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Number Two: Becker Farms Pumpkin Fiesta

Gasport, NY

Very close to the top of the pumpkin pyramid is Becker Farms Pumpkin Fiesta in Gasport, NY. The event runs every weekend from September through Halloween. It is a pumpkin extravaganza with plenty of fun activities for both kids and adults. You can choose which activities you want to participate in or do them all. Admission fees are based accordingly.

Activities include duck races, Hillbilly Bob's "Pig Rock Derby" pig races, pony rides, hayrides through the forest and fields, a Concord Grape Maze, a corn maze, Tryke Track with John Deer Tricycle Rentals, the Castle Labyrinth, Phylotec: a biogenetic disaster area funhouse, guinea pig bingo, inflatable bounce house, a playground, and a variety of musical entertainment. Kids can get up close and personal with the farm animals and visit the fish pond. Towering over the farm is the man-made Becker Mountain. Agile family members can climb the mountain and check out the pumpkin slingshot at the top.

Of course a Pumpkin Fiesta wouldn't be called a Pumpkin Fiesta if didn't have pumpkins! There are plenty of carving and painted pumpkins to choose from in all sizes from small to super large. If you are in the mood for eating pumpkin, the Farm Market Bakery has fresh, homemade, pumpkin pies. Yum! In fact, we love all of Becker Farms homemade pies. It really is difficult to choose a favorite, although I have a soft spot for Apple Crumble and the Strawberry Rhubarb. The bakery also carries homemade cookies.

Fudge, ice cream, and a variety of gifts and kitchen gadgets can be found in the Farm Market. In the Apple Barn, bushels of apples are available for purchase to make your own apple pie or apple crisp. The Apple Barn carries Halloween decorations, spices, candy apples, popcorn, and more. Becker Farms also has a counter service restaurant and a doughnut shop. This time of year they offer delicious apple cider doughnuts and fresh squeezed cider. Their BBQ chicken is absolutely delicious, but I recommend arriving early as the dinners sell out quickly.

We love the Pumpkin Fiesta. The kids have a great time and the adults love visiting the onsite Vizcarra Vineyards Winery. We always leave with lots of goodies and giant pumpkins.

Image courtesy of Becker Farms.

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What You Need to Know

Becker Farms is located at

3724 Quaker Rd.

Gasport, NY 14067

716-772-2211

Pumpkin Fiesta takes place every weekend in September and October until Halloween, from 11am to 5pm.

Admission varies depending on activities you wish to participate in.

For all activities: Kids $10 and Adults $7.

Haunted Hayride not included in admission. Haunted Hayride runs from 7pm to 9pm and is not recommended for children under 13 years old.

Food and other items can be purchased separately throughout the farm. Pumpkins are not included in the fiesta admission.

Image from the Examiner.

Get In The Mood On Your Way To The Event

DJ'S HALLOWEEN PARTY MUSIC
DJ'S HALLOWEEN PARTY MUSIC
I grew up listening to a lot of these annual favorites and it's a hit with my family.
 
Songs and Story: Mickey's Spooky Night
Songs and Story: Mickey's Spooky Night
Mickey is never too scary. This CD is spooky fun.
 
Disney Villains: Simply Sinister Songs
Disney Villains: Simply Sinister Songs
A little "DeVil" chills and thrills.
 
Walt Disney's Winnie-the-pooh Halloween Songs and Sounds
Walt Disney's Winnie-the-pooh Halloween Songs and Sounds
This is a fun CD for little kids. My favorite track is the Hefflelumps and Woozles song.
 
KIDZ BOP Halloween Party
KIDZ BOP Halloween Party
Kids love listening to kids sing their favorite spooky songs. I highly recommend this CD.
 
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Number One: Halloween Village

Holiday Hollow, Corfu, New York

The Halloween Village isn't your average holiday event. Here there be pirates, Alice and the Mad Hatter, and a witch who wants her own cooking show. Within Halloween Village's woodland setting are seven entertaining outdoor shows that will make you scream with laughter. Audience participation is a big part of the shows and kids love it.

Games, a pumpkin patch, a gift shop, a cannon ball shoot, and not-so-scary attractions like Hook's Hideout Dark Maze and the Haunted Parlor are some of the activities to enjoy between the shows. No need to worry about inclement weather. All shows are moved to the indoor theater you can stay warm and dry. Top the day off with treats of popcorn, pretzels, hot dogs or some decadent chocolate desserts and you have a day of Halloween fun without the fear.

We stumbled on the Halloween Village one year and had so much fun we are going back again. The shows are hilarious and very family friendly. My niece, Gabby, was thrilled to be picked to join Alice and her friends at the Mad Tea Party. The best part is that it takes place during the day, so no one has to worry about what lurks in the dark.

Photo by Holiday Hollow

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What You Need to Know

Halloween Village is located at

1410 Main Road

Corfu, NY 14036

See their website for directions

Halloween Village is open every weekend in October and on Columbus Day from 11am to 5pm. Get there early to enjoy all the shows.

Admission 11 years old and up $11, 3-10 years old $10, 2 years and under free and includes everything except refreshments and anything you may purchase at the gift shop.

Photo by Holiday Hollow

Hold Your Own Event

Get your kids to help you make some spooky "finger" foods, dress up in costume, invite the neighbors and watch a not-so-scary movie at home. Your kids will love this safe ghoulish event.

Betty Crocker Halloween Cookbook
Betty Crocker Halloween Cookbook
Serve up a haunting buffet with these great themed receipes.
 
The Worst Witch (The Movie)
The Worst Witch (The Movie)
Mildred attends a school for witches, but she keepts messing up. A very cute movie.
 
Buena Vista Home Video, Hocus Pocus
Buena Vista Home Video, Hocus Pocus
When the new kid in town wakes three witch sisters the entire town is in trouble. Funny and scary at the same time.
 
Monster House (Fullscreen)
Monster House (Fullscreen)
My favorite animated movie about a house that eats toys and a scared boy who learns to be brave.
 
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