Fall Frolics in the Kenosha Area

Kenosha, WI  (October 3, 2011) – Leaves are turning colors, pumpkins are waiting for a new home, and the calendar is saying fall. And so the Kenosha Area is geared up for families and groups to come pick pumpkins, enjoy hayrides, and go ghost hunting! Among our fall offerings:
 
Visit Kemper Center Haunted House and Ghost Tours of Kemper Center, October 7 -  30. This year’s Haunted House theme – The Kemper Prison! And Mayor Slayer welcomes you to Ghost Tours ... floors that have been sealed for years are unlocked just waiting to be explored. Brave souls may see for themselves if the ghosts of Kemper do exist! There is an admission fee; ticket discounts are available online. Kemper Prison opens Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. A Kids' Tour is offered on Saturdays, 6 - 7 p.m. The Ghost Tours open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 7 p.m. Kemper Center is located on the Lake Michigan shore at 6501 3rd Ave. (262) 657-6005, www.ghosttoursatkemper.com
 
Bentz Road Farm is open October 1 - 30 with pumpkins, hayrides, and shopping. Enjoy the Fall Harvest but not the horror! Storytime is at noon. 
Visitors also can enjoy a petting zoo, youth cornfield, toddler hill rolling, and farm nature walk.  There is an admission fee. Hours: Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Located at 6109 85th St. (262) 620-4636, www.bentzroadfarm.com
 
Known for its large campfire area and long hayride route, Farmer Brown’s is open September 30 - October 30. It’s open seven days a week 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with pumpkin and gourd sales and a daytime Haunted Barn. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Haunted Hayride (dark to 9:30 p.m. or later) covers hundreds of acres of land. The Haunted Barn – when the ghosts are awake – is open until 11 p.m. There is a large campfire area for visitors to sit on logs or bring their own chairs. Visitors may also bring their own food and beverage as they stay and enjoy the music (DJ). Halloween refreshments are available. Some fees may apply. Located 5.5 miles west of I-94 on Hwy. 50 at 21010 75th St. (262) 705-3878
 
Happ’s Pumpkin Patch is open September 29 – October 31 with a hayride and train ride (haunted after 5 p.m.), as well as a ghoul bus and maze (haunted after 5 p.m.). There is a large store with pumpkins, gourds, and more. There are animals to see and food is available on weekends. Some fees may apply. Hours: Thurs. 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Also October 10: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Located at 24121 Wilmot Road (Hwy. C & Hwy. 83). (262) 862-6515
 
Jerry Smith Produce & Country Store Pumpkin Farm is open September 17 – October 31. Owner Rosemary Smith hand-paints over 80 pumpkin characters to create a magical display! There are hayrides and a mini-farm to enjoy. Extra entertainment on the weekends: Haunted Forest (scary), corn maze (closes at dark), pony rides, face painting. Smith's Diner is open and there is a Country Store to browse. There is a fee for some of the activities. Hours: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily. Rain or shine. 7150 - 18th St., (262) 859-2645, (262) 925-8360, www.smithpumpkinfarm.com
 
Pumpkin displays with storybook characters can be seen at Stiles Pumpkin & Vegetable Farm, October 8-31. This is non-scary, geared toward younger children. There is play equipment for kids to play on. See the ducks, chickens, and rooster. Shop for pumpkins, apples, gourds, squash, cabbage, fresh apple cider, fresh produce, garden mums, Amish jams, local honey, and more. Admission and activities are free. Hours: Seven days a week. Through Oct. 14: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Oct. 15 – Oct. 30: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Oct. 31: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Located at 11717 Sheridan Road. (262) 694-5256
 
Known for its strawberries in the summer, visitors can also pick their own pumpkins at Thompson Strawberry Farm, September 24 – October 31 (while supplies last). Accessing the pumpkin patch is weather dependent, so for current picking conditions, pumpkin seekers should call (262) 857-2353 or visit www.thompsonstrawberryfarm.com/picking_conditions.htm (where pricing is also listed). Hours: Mon.-Fri. 3 – 5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Located at 14000 75th St. (Hwy. 50).
 
This is just a sampling of fall fun in the Kenosha Area. Many attractions are offering one-day Halloween-themed events during the month, including Haunted Halloween Hike(October 22) and Halloween Candle Light Night Hike (October 29) at Pringle Nature Center, an Eco-Halloween Hike at Richard Bong State Recreation Area (October 22), Munchkin Masquerade at Jelly Belly Visitor Center (October 29), and Boofest at Kenosha Public Museum, Civil War Museum, and Dinosaur Discovery Museum (October 29). For a complete calendar of Kenosha Area events, visit www.kenoshacvb.com/events/all.
 
For more information about things to see and do in the Kenosha Area, as well as a 2011 Kenosha Area Visitors Guide, log on to www.KenoshaCVB.com or call the Kenosha Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (262) 654-7307 or (800) 654-7309. The Visitors Guide is also available by visiting a Kenosha Area Visitor Information Center. The I-94 location is at I-94 & Hwy. 165 East Exit 347, while the Downtown Kenosha location is at 812 - 56th St. Follow us on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook to receive updates about events, specials, and more.

Click here for Fall Fun in the Kenosha Area at a glance!
 
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