Daily [Halloween] Spin 9.20.09

It's only September and I've already polished off approximately 1.75 bags of candy corn pumpkins. This is not an accomplishment I'm proud of, and its impact on my otherwise rigorous Boogie Bahn training regimen has been noted. But if an addiction to pumpkins is my worst vice (and believe me, it is not), I figure I'm in pretty good shape. Why am I telling you this? Because the haunting season (not to mention my most favoritest holiday in the whole wide world) is nearly upon us! Let's check out some bewitching happenings across the country, shall we?

In 2009, Halloween's status as a "second season" for amusement parks is unquestionable. But it didn't happen overnight! This reality has been many years in the making. Just ask Six Flags Great America, which kicks off its 19th annual Fright Fest event on October 3. This year's event features two haunted houses, two scare zones, and a slew of themed shows and parades. There will be plenty of non-hair-raising fun for the little ones as well, including opportunities to go trick-or-treating through Yukon Territory with their favorite Looney Tunes pals. For an added kick, head to the Southwest Amphitheater at 7:30 on October 24 to take part in "Thrill the World", an annual event where participants across the globe simultaneously dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Kings Island continues to push the envelope on horror, gore, and good old-fashioned terror with the latest incarnation of its Halloween Haunt event. If the PR for this event alone isn't enough to convince you that Halloween attractions have become a theme park staple, I don't know what will. In addition to the elaborate web site the park has put together for Haunt, you can also check out the accompanying blog, Facebook page, Twitter feed, or YouTube channel. Whew! I'm on information overload just thinking about it. This year's Haunt features over 500 live "ghouls" and 13 attractions, including the new Slaughter House maze and a new live show called "Hot Blooded". But with so many great sources of information at your fingertips, do you really need lil' old me to tell you that?

Our friends at Idlewild are kicking off their annual Hallowboo event with a special treat: Hot dogs! Next weekend only (September 26-27), all Hallowboo guests will receive a free hot dog lunch with their paid admission. (Season passholders, who can get into the event for free, can enjoy this treat for only $5.00.) It ain't candy corn pumpkins, but it's still a pretty sweet deal if you ask me! For more information, visit the park's blog or check out this YouTube video they've put together to advertise the special.

While zombies and candy never go out of style, the Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce is about much more than tricks and treats. It's about raising money to fund diabetes research. The event's origins date back to 1991, when a local couple began putting up elaborate Halloween displays in their yard. Their daughter had been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, and the decorations were their attempt to keep her mind off sweets. One family's show of support has since expanded into New England's largest Halloween attraction, yet its roots remain true. Each year, a portion of the proceeds are donated to the American Diabetes Association to further the Romegialli family's mission to fight this disease. So if you'd like to be scared for a good cause, do make the trek to Connecticut this Fall! There's much to see. And if you don't believe me, you can check out the event's web site, Facebook page, or Twitter feed.