Just in time for the harvest season are corn mazes and pumpkin patches along with the terrors that await on spooky Halloween terror trips.
In the Woodstock area, there are two mazes to explore while on some evenings, things get haunted.
At Leaping Deere Legends near Ingersoll, visitors to the 12-acre (4.85-hectare) corn maze find "half the fun is to try and find what's hidden in the corn field," said Julie Budd.
Say hello to hillbillies Billy Bob and Coz Charlie who are well armed to "hold off anyone who goes near their moonshine." Their high-powered pumpkin cannon, can blast a pumpkin across the field.
"Families come for an afternoon of entertainment from a wagon ride to the pig races, shopping in our new country store or satisfying their hunger at the Farmers' Table serving up local food dishes," Budd said.
On Spook Nights watch out for the Swamp Thing on the trails. Those brave enough can navigate the corn maze by flashlight Oct. 22, 23, 29 and 30 starting at 7:30 p.m.
The farm also has a museum with a collection of Deere tractors, equipment and collectibles.
Over at the Norwich Optimist Corn Maze, the big above-ground labyrinth is open weekends through Oct. 31.
There are activities such as a petting zoo, mini maze, snack shack, duck races, playground, corn box and pumpkin bowling.
Visitors can meet Jed the mini horse, Pete the pot-bellied pig, Ruby and Snowflake the sheep at the petting zoo.
There are Saturday family movie nights outside under the stars Oct. 9 and Oct. 16 starting at dusk.
It's Trick or Treat day Oct. 30 for tours of the maze and collecting candy and goodies, costume judging for various age groups and other activities.
When darkness falls Oct. 23 and 30, there's a haunting maze "for those brave enough to enter."
That's when revellers can scour the paths of the maze by the light of the moon and see if they "can avoid screaming when you meet some of our spooky characters hidden in the corn . . . you never know what is around the next corner."
Serene scene turns mean
By day, Snyders Family Farm in Bright, between Kitchener and Woodstock, is a serene spot for a day in the country.
There's a huge pumpkin patch to pick a favourite off the vine, an animal corn maze, hay rides, pirate ship, clown show, animal zoo, kid's tractors to ride, a straw castle and mountain, and other attractions.
When darkness falls, the Night Terrors begin with the haunted Barn of Fear, Hayride of Horror and Haunted Corn Maze.
It's fun to watch how many people can make it through the barn, filled with ghosts and goblins, "without escaping through the chicken exit."
The 30-minute hayride is scary enough but includes a walk through the haunted forest and corn maze where creatures are lurking.
Other spooky spots
Canada's Wonderland, north of Toronto, has the Halloween Haunt, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights this month from 7 p.m. "Brave souls who dare to enter" will find scary attractions and most thrill rides operate in the dark. www.canadaswonderland.com; (905) 832-8131.
Bingemans in Kitchener has ScreamPark after a terrifying success last year when "an all-time high of 383 petrified guests" chickened out. There's Psycho Circus, Fright Tales, NightMare Creations and the Zombie Hunt on weekends and Oct. 19 to 31. screampark.ca; (519) 744-1555.
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If you go
Norwich Optimist Corn Maze (Highway 59, three kilometres north of Norwich) is open Saturdays noon to 9 p.m. and Sundays and Thanksgiving Monday, noon to 5 p.m. It costs $7; $5, children, five to 12; free, four and younger. The Haunted Maze is from dusk until 10 p.m.; last admission 9 p.m. www.norwichcornmaze.com; www.norwichoptimistevents.com; (519) 863-2139.
Leaping Deere Legends (544212 Clarke Rd.) in Ingersoll is open Wednesday to Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays and holiday Monday, noon to 5 p.m. Maze admission: $8.99; $6.99, ages 10 and younger; free, to age two. Spook Nights are $10; museum, $4. www.leapingdeerelegends.com; (519) 485-4795.
Snyders Family Farm (936685 Blenheim Rd./Oxford Road 8) in Bright is open weekends and Thanksgiving Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $10; $8, ages three to 11; younger, free. Night Terrors are 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 9; Oct. 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Price is $16. www.snydersfamilyfarm.com; (519) 632-7356.
Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
Ghosts and goblins out for Halloween
