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Enjoy Halloween Fun at Nebraska State Park Areas

LINCOLN – Enjoy autumn in the outdoors by celebrating Halloween at Nebraska’s state parks. Pre-Halloween activities for all ages will take place at seven park areas.

The activities, by park, are:

Alexandria State Recreation Area (SRA) – Go trick-or-treating at the campground decorated for Halloween at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18-19 at this park. Call 402-729-5777 for more information.

Arbor Lodge State Historical Park (SHP) – Enjoy Halloween’s Enchanted Garden, an annual event by the Friends of Arbor Lodge Foundation, Oct. 26 from 6-8 p.m. Children in Halloween costumes will be treated with an enchanted walk through the historic gardens to visit some animal friends. There will be cookies, cider, games, photos and a hayrack ride at the Carriage House following the walk. The cost is $3 for children of foundation members and $5 for children of nonmembers. The rain date is Oct. 27 from 5-7 p.m. Call 402-873-7222 for more information.

Buffalo Bill Ranch SHP – Visit the haunted barn at the former home of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody from 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 23-25. Call 308-535-8035 for more information.

Calamus SRA – Carve pumpkins at the Homestead Knolls campground of this park area on Oct. 18 at noon, then take them home to display. Pumpkins, and help carving them, will be available. Children will be treated to s’mores. Call 308-346-5666 for more information.

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP) – Come to Little Creek Campground for Halloween is Brewing with Fun on Oct. 18. There will be a children’s Halloween costume contest at 2 p.m., pumpkin-carving contest at 2:30 p.m., s’mores roasting from 4:30-6:30 p.m., free tram rides from 4:30-7:30 p.m., and campsite decorating judging at 6 p.m. Call 402-944-2523 for more information.

Indian Cave State Park (SP) – Visit the park’s haunted town of St. Deroin on Oct. 10 from 7-9 p.m. for Trick or Treat at the Town. The cost is $1. The park’s Haunted Hollow hayrack rides will be Oct. 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25 from 7-9:30 p.m. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-12. The campground decorating and costume contests will be Oct. 11, 18 and 25. Call 402-883-2575 for more information.

Ponca SP – Hallowfest, scheduled for Oct. 11 and Oct. 18, is an annual Halloween celebration featuring haunted evening hayrack rides, pumpkin rolling and carving contests, campsite decorating contest and much more. Hayrack rides will be from 7-10 p.m. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children aged 12 and under. Call 402-755-2284 for more information or to reserve a hayrack ride.

A park entry permit is required at each park. View the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission calendar of events at OutdoorNebraska.org for more information.

About Jerry Kane

Jerry Kane is the news manager with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He can be contacted at jerry.kane@nebraska.gov or 402-471-5008.

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