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BEMIDJI — The ghosts and skeletons scattered around town are a sign that Halloween will soon be here.

This fall in the Bemidji area, community members will gather to share spooky stories and pass out candy at trick-or-treating events. There are a plethora of activities for children, adults, dogs and even spiders to share in the Halloween fun.

Whether you decide to wander the candlelit wilderness or dance the night away at a Halloween party with a spooky DJ, here's a breakdown of this year's haunted happenings.

Email news@bemidjipioneer.com to have your event added to the list.

Big Bog State Recreation Area will host two events for all ages this spooky season at the recreation area in Waskish.

A candlelit stroll will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19.

Attendees will make their way down the candlelit boardwalk and have the opportunity to view a stunning night sky after the sun sets, a release said.

The stroll will take place along the Bog Boardwalk in the Northern Unit of the park. The Boardwalk is fully accessible and family-friendly.

Hot drinks and snacks will be available during the event at the Ludlow Pond picnic shelter.

A Nature Stories: Spiders Spin Webs event will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.

"Welcome to our enchanting nature story time, a magical experience crafted for curious minds of any age," a release said. "Immerse your little ones in the wonders of the natural world through a delightful blend of storytelling, crafts and other fun activities that will spark their imaginations and ignite a love for learning."

During this Nature Stories event, participants will learn all about our eight-legged friends the spiders, added the release.

Adults must accompany children. Attendees should meet in the Visitor Center.

For more information, visit the or call (218) 888-7310. All vehicles entering the area will need a valid Minnesota state park vehicle permit, which costs $7 per day or $35 per year.

Watermark Art Center presents "Spooked: Your True Scary Stories Told Live" as the theme for the Oct. 23 StorySLAM to be held at 7 p.m. in the basement of Keg N' Cork, 310 Beltrami Ave. NW.

Participants will have a chance to share or listen to true personal stories told from memory in a friendly competition.

All experience levels are welcome and performers are encouraged to consider the theme when crafting their story, a release said.

The StorySLAM is free to attend and perform at, and cash prizes will be awarded to the top three performers. Storytellers are encouraged to pre-register by calling Watermark at (218) 444-7570. Limited same-day sign-ups may be available but are not guaranteed.

Music starts at 6 p.m. For SLAM rules, visit

The city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department will hold a Bark N Boo event from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Nymore Dog Park, 625 Miles Ave. SE.

Attendees are encouraged to dress up their dogs for the event, which will include puppy activities, photo opportunities, prizes and treat bags, a release said. A costume contest for dogs will be held at 6 p.m.

The cost to participate is $6 per household. To register, visit

A Boo Bash Halloween party will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, at North Country Park.

At the event, attendees can play fun Halloween games and win prizes, listen to spooky stories and search for hidden Halloween characters, a release said.

Costumes are strongly encouraged and participants should dress for the weather since the event is outside.

The cost to attend is $20 per family; scholarships are available. To register, visit

The city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department is set to hold a Boo Dash 5K on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Bemidji City Park.

Costumes are strongly encouraged. Registration will start at 9 a.m. with the race starting at 10 a.m.

Awards will be given out to the first 3 finishers along with any runner under the age of 16.

Pre-registration cost is $15, or $20 for day-of registration. To register, visit

New Salem Lutheran Church in Turtle River will host a "Trunk or Treat" event from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the church, 7491 Island View Drive NE.

This free family-friendly event will include treats, horse-drawn wagon rides, pizza and other surprises, a release said.

To learn more, visit the New Salem Lutheran Church

The Apple Blossom Village will host an Enchanted Village and Halloween Walk fundraiser from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, in the outdoor space at Rail River Folk ÍáÍáÂþ»­, 303 Railroad St. NW.

An early childhood hour will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. with games and crafts geared toward children ages 1 to 5. Attendees can watch a short puppet show about Winifred Witch, play in the village, visit the Witch's Cottage for a snack and sip cider by the campfire, a release said.

"Follow the Jack O'Lantern Path out of the village as the sun begins to set," added the release.

Children ages 5 to 10 can enjoy an Enchanted Halloween Walk after darkness falls. Walks begin at 6:15 p.m. and leave every 15 minutes, with the last walk at 7:15 p.m. Each walk takes about a half hour, and attendees should dress for the weather.

This older age group can also watch a longer shadow puppet story of the Snow Queen and try witch's brew (cider) at the fire.

"Stop at the Witch's Cottage, Robber's Hideout and Wise Woman's Hut, as you follow the story and make your way to the Frozen North for a treasure on the way out," said the release.

The Autumn Bake Shoppe will be open at the gate with extra treats available for purchase.

Families can choose a ticket for either the early childhood hour or a walk after dark. There are also combo tickets available to enjoy both. There will be a 15-minute pause between the two events to set up.

As this is a family event, organizers ask that attendees refrain from wearing horror/gory costumes, the release said.

Tickets cost $10 per participant or $30 per family and are available online at or at the gate.

Great River Rescue is set to hold a "Howl-o-ween Walk" fundraiser from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Great River, 1612 Carr Lake Road SE.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their dog to walk the trails, dunk for apples, enter a costume contest and have pictures taken in a spooky photo booth for a free-will donation, a release said.

There will also be hot dogs provided by Lucky Dogs.

The cost is $5 per person and free for dogs. All proceeds will go to Great River to help the shelter's cats and dogs, the release said.

To register, visit For more information, call (218) 751-7910.

The city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department will host a family Halloween dance from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 1019 Paul Bunyan Drive S.

The event will include dancing, snacks and Halloween crafts. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes as there will be a contest with prizes. Costumes should not be too scary as the dance is a family-friendly event, a release said.

The cost is $10 per participant; children age 4 and younger get in free.

To register, visit

St. Mark's Lutheran Church will hold a "Trunk or Treat" event from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27, at the church, 2220 Anne St. NW.

Kids of all ages can collect candy, play games and enjoy creative decorations, a release said.

To learn more, call (218) 444-3939.

The Paul Bunyan Playhouse will host a "Spooktacular" film festival starting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 31 at the historic Chief Theatre.

The festival will feature short films by Roy C. Booth and Jason Ewert with a bonus world premiere of the horror one-act play, "Luella Miller," by Booth featuring Cynthia Booth and Cate Belleveau.

Booth is an author, comedian, poet, journalist, essayist and script writer. He has 58 published plays and over 1,000 royalty-paid productions in 30 countries and 10 languages, a release said.

The event is a joint fundraiser for the Paul Bunyan Playhouse and for Booth, who was attacked downtown in his wheelchair on June 28 which left his right eye severely damaged, resulting in a series of forthcoming surgeries to regain his sight, explained the release.

Tickets cost $15 and are available at the door. For more information, visit the Paul Bunyan Playhouse

A GoFundMe has also been set up in Booth's name at

Headwaters Science Center's annual Boofest will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, at the center, 413 Beltrami Ave. NW.

This event is geared toward children and their families and attendees can collect treats, participate in games and view science demonstrations. Boofest is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit

This year's annual Treat Street celebration will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, at the Sanford Center, 1111 Event Center Drive NE.

Participants are encouraged to wear costumes to this community trick-or-treating event hosted by RP Broadcasting and Paskvan Media. The event is for children and they must be with a parent or guardian and have a ticket to participate.

There will be candy, a coloring contest with MyBemidji, a bounce house from the Party Store, dance party, a costume contest and more, a release said.

Tickets are free and available at sponsor locations throughout Bemidji.

For more information, visit the or call (218) 751-7777.

All Hallow’s Eve will once again bring free treats and possibly some tricks to children of the Bemidji area as trick-or-treating returns to Bemidji State University’s residence halls.

Residents in BSU’s Birch, Linden, Oak and Tamarack halls will distribute candy from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, or until costumed visitors have drained participating rooms of candy.

Visitors can pick up lists of participating rooms at each building’s front desk. Trick-or-treaters can also play free carnival games in the building lobbies.

For more information, contact Nikki Nebosis, assistant director of Housing and Residential Life, at nikki.nebosis@bemidjistate.edu.

Bemidji First Assembly of God will host a "Treat Train" event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, at the church, 1015 Fourth St. SE.

This is a free indoor event open to the public.

For more information, contact the church at (218) 751-2485.

A Halloween party will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, Oct. 31, at Hatchet House, 200 Paul Bunyan Drive S. A costume contest is set for 9:30 p.m.

"Get your costumes ready and come have a screaming good time with drink specials and a live DJ," a release said.

Attendees can also play free games and get 50% off axe throwing with code "Spooky."

Visit the Hatchet House for more information.