Halloween Fun For 2018 With The Morris Co. Parks Commission

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — The Morris County Parks Commission has several low cost or free Halloween events coming up this month. Some events are great for kids as young as two, while others will be a hit at any age. Read about all of the events here, as described by the Parks Commission:

The Time To Mourn, ages 12 and up

• What: Tour the Foster family home, The Willows, to explore the unique death and mourning traditions of the Victorian period. Customs, now considered strange, influenced loved ones for months and years after the deceased had passed.
• When: Wednesdays through Sundays, October 3 through 21, Wednesday October 24 through Friday, October 26, and Sunday, October 28. 1 p.m. & 2 p.m.
• Where: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morris Township.
• How much: $6 per adult, $5 per senior, $4 per child age 4-16, $2 per child age 2 & 3, FREE per child under age 2.

Scaredy Plants, ages 6 and up

• What: Voodoo lily? Bat flower? Some plants are simply wicked! Celebrate Halloween with scary, smelly plants from around the world. Go on a creepy plant scavenger hunt, create a spooky craft, explore a display of flesh-eating plants, and play plant-themed games.
• When: Saturday, October 20, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• Where: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 Hanover Ave, Morris Township.
• How much: $5 per child.

Teeny Tiny Trail Tales, ages 2-5 with an adult

• What: Enjoy a less spooky version of the popular Halloween event, Trail Tales. Enjoy silly and nature-themed tales told by costumed storytellers along the decorated trails. Feel free to wear your own costume, too. Sign up in advance for a time slot.
• When: Saturday, October 27, with time slots between 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
• Where: Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Blvd., Chatham Township.
• How much: $3 per person. *Preregistration is required. To register, 973.635.6629.

Trail Tales, ages 6 and up

• What: Hear silly, slightly spooky, and nature-themed tales told by costumed storytellers along the decorated nighttime trails. Sign up in advance for a time slot as they fill up quickly.
• When: Saturday, October 27, with time slots between 5:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
• Where: Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Blvd., Chatham Township.
• How much: $6 per person. *Preregistration is required. To register, 973.635.6629.

A Miller's Halloween, all ages

• What: Come in costume! Enjoy spooky storytelling at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Create corn husk dolls and creepy crafts, and play old-time games. Tour the Gristmill, and look for surprises around every corner.
• When: Saturday, October 27, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• Where: Cooper Gristmill, 66 Route 24, Chester.
• How much: Free, but donations are appreciated.

Many Dreadful Tales From Yesterday and Today, all ages

• What: Enter the Vail House to hear both old and new tales in a particularly special setting. Enjoy horror stories from the Victorian period shared by a costumed interpreter, along with modern day instances from museums all over the country.
• When: Saturday, October 27, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
• Where: Historic Speedwell, 333 Speedwell Ave., Morristown.
• How much: $7 per adult, $6 per senior, $5 per child age 4 - 16, FREE per child under age 4.

Historic Halloween Happenings, all ages

• What: Play special Halloween games, decorate cookies, and try on old-fashion costumes. At 3:30 p.m., take a guided walk to see how many pumpkins are hiding in the nearby woods. Afterwards, board the open-air wagon for a ride to the Visitors Center.
• When: Sunday, October 28, 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• Where: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morris Township.
• How much: $6 per adult, $5 per senior, $4 per child age 4-16, $2 per child age 2 & 3, FREE per child under age 2.

Historic Haunting, all ages

• What: A scary and fun afternoon awaits! Enjoy spooky ghost stories and Halloween fun and games. Come in costume for an old-fashioned costume contest. Prizes are awarded to all winners.
• When: Saturday, October 27 & Sunday, October 28, 12 noon - 4 p.m.
• Where: Historic Speedwell, 333 Speedwell Ave., Morristown.
• How much: $5 per adult, $4 per senior, $3 per child age 4 - 16, FREE per child under age 4.

Sprouts: Scaredy Plants, ages 2-4 with adult

• What: Plants protect themselves in many interesting ways. Take a Halloween walk to see some plants in action, read a fall tale, and create a spooky craft.
• When: Wednesday, October 31, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
• Where: The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 Hanover Ave, Morris Township.
• How much: $5 per child. *Preregistration is required. To register, 973.326.7601.

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