Illustration by The Modesto Bee

THROUGH OCT. 31

Corn Acoustics Corn Maze

A musically themed corn maze to celebrate the musical heritage of the Appalachian Mountains. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5; children under 5, free. 84 Concord Road, Meadows of Dan. (276) 952-6575.

THROUGH OCT. 31

Jeter Farm Festival and Country Store

A barnyard zoo, hay rides, corn maze, pumpkin patch, food and more. Friday, 3 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m. $6. 181 Blue Ridge Blvd., Roanoke. 977-2128.

THROUGH NOV. 13

Layman Family Farm

Featuring a corn maze, hayrides, farm animals, a pumpkin patch, a pumpkin blaster, food and more. Fridays, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and other times for groups by appointment. Adults, $10; kids 10-17, $9; kids 2-9, $8; under 2, free. 1815 Mountain View Church Road, Montvale. 947-2844.

THROUGH OCT. 31

Morgan Farm

Corn maze, farm animals, hay rides, pumpkin painting, a pumpkin patch and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free; $3 corn maze (children under 5 are free); $2 hayrides. 2004 Tolers Ferry Road, Huddleston. 871-0911.

THROUGH NOV. 6

Sinkland Farms Pumpkin Festival

Hay rides, pony rides, face painting, art, fall decor, farm animals, corn maze, food and more. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m.; Corn Maze After Dark, 5 to 8 p.m. Free; parking, $3. 3020 Riner Road, Christiansburg. 382-4640.

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FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS THROUGH OCT. 30

The Farmer's Daughter/Corn Maze

This year's theme is "Alice In Wonderland." Air bounce, food, pony rides, pumpkins, hayride and more. 6 p.m. $7; children under 3, free. Haunted barn/maze last two weekends of October, $9. 325 Claypool Hill Mall Road, Cedar Bluff. (276) 701-5702.

SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS THROUGH OCT. 31

Fall Festival

Pick your own pumpkins, visit the corn mazes, take a hayride, see the amazing pumpkin chunker and shoot an apple launcher. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. Prices vary by age and activity. Pumpkins and gourds are 40 cents per pound. Williams Orchard 5175 West Lee Highway Wytheville. (276) 686-4851.

FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS THROUGH NOV. 6

Floyd Ghost Tour

See old houses and tombstones and hear spooky stories. 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. $7. 117 S. Locust St., Floyd. www.strangetalesoffloydcounty.com.

OCT. 14-16, OCT. 20-22

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"

Adapted from the Washington Irving story by Catherine Bush. Family friendly. Shows at 10 and 10:30 a.m. Cost varies. The Barter Theatre, 127 West Main St., Abingdon.

OCT. 9-10; 16-17; 23-24

Farm Festival at Joe's Trees

Pick your own pumpkin, build a scarecrow, pre-tag your Christmas tree and take a hay ride. The Red Barn is filled with jams and jellies, gift baskets, fall wreaths, country decorations and other items. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Joe's Trees, 5110 Cumberland Gap Road, Newport. 544-7303.

OCT. 16

Hollins Fall Festival

Featuring games, prizes, hayrides, a costume contest, a cupcake walk and more. 11:30 a.m. Tickets $1 per game or buy a play-all card for $5. Hollins University. www.hollins.edu.

Children's Fall Festival

Games, prizes, storytelling, face painting, food and more. All day. Small Steps Learning Academy, 1716 Oxford Ave., Roanoke. 904-6808.

OCT. 19NOV. 1

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Bring in your decorated pumpkin for a chance to be the grand prize winner. It can be carved or painted. Drop off by 5 p.m. Oct. 29. All entries will be displayed and the winner will be notified by Nov. 1. Free. Jessie Peterman Library, 321 W. Main St., Floyd. 382-6965.

OCT. 23

Greenfield Elementary PTA Fall Festival

Featuring a haunted house. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 50 cents. Greenfield Elementary, 288 Etzler Road, Troutville. 992-4416.

Spooktacular Saturday at The Taubman

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Halloween Happening

Children ages 5 to 12 and their families can participate in costume and pumpkin decorating contests, make masks, decorate trick-or-treat bags, trick or treat in the museum. Local artists will carve and decorate pumpkins for a silent auction. Free.

7 p.m. to 9 a.m.: Spooktacular Saturday Night

For teens ages 14-18. Bring sleeping bags and enjoy contests, treasure hunts, a mystery murder, movies, pizza and snacks. Bagels will be served for breakfast. $15 members; $20 non-members.

www.taubmanmuseum.org

Halloween Safety Awareness Class

Helpful pointers on what to watch out for and be aware of on Halloween. 2 to 3 p.m. Free. Super Kicks Karate, 1447 W. Main St., Salem. 375-0075.

Spooky Ghost Stories of the Peaks of Otter Area

A family Halloween program. 7 p.m. Free. Peaks of Otter Lodge, 85554 Blue Ridge Pkwy., Bedford. 586-4496.

OCT. 23-24

Punkin' Chunkin' World Champion "Team Carbo"

Demonstrating the catapult that can sling pumpkins up to 1,500 feet. Free; parking $3. Sinkland Farms, 3020 Riner Road, Christiansburg. 382-4640.

OCT. 23

Downtown Trick-or-Treating

Grab a map from the Downtown Roanoke Inc. tent and hit the streets for candy from your favorite Downtown Roanoke businesses. See the website to download a list of participating businesses. 3 to 5 p.m. Free. Downtown Roanoke. 206-2414 or www.sponsorhounds.com.

OCT. 24

Howl O'Ween Walk for the Animals

Blessing of the animals, pet parade, costume contest, silly pet tricks, demonstrations, vendors, refreshments and more. 12:30 p.m. $10 registration fee. Elmwood Park, Downtown Roanoke. www.rvspca.org/.

OCT. 29

Trick-or-Treating in Radford

Safe trick or treating at Main Street merchants. 4 to 6 p.m. Main Street Radford. 731-3656 or mainstreetradford.org.

Trick-or-Treating in Vinton

Trick or treat at more than 40 businesses in Downtown Vinton. Look for the pumpkin sign in each storefront or door. 12 and younger. Normal neighborhood trick or treat will be held on Oct. 31. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. 983-0613.

Fun Strokes Class

Make an elegant Halloween Domino Mask. Instructed by Wendy Duke; no art skills needed. 6 to 8 p.m. $25. Gallery by the James, 19827 Main St., Buchanan. 254-9708.

OCT. 29-30

Spooktacular

A fun-filled evening with games, haunted house, karaoke, movies, pizza, prizes and more. You can choose to stay for the party from 7 to 9 p.m. (ages 3 and up) or spend the night (ages 6 and up) in a safe, adult chaperoned environment. Dinner and breakfast will be served for those sleeping over, and a light, healthy snack will be served to party-only participants. $17 party only, ages 3 and up ($12 if purchased by Oct. 22); $27 party and sleepover, ages 6 and up ($22 if purchased by Oct. 22). Virginia Techniques Gymnastics, 1550 Roanoke St., Christiansburg. 381-5151 or www.vatechniques.com.

OCT. 30

Tanglewood Mall Trick-or-treating

Trick or treat with mall retailers and participate in a costume contest. 5 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Tanglewood Mall, Roanoke. www.shoptanglewood.com.

New River Valley Mall Trick-or-treating

Trick or treat with mall retailers. 5 to 7 p.m. Free. New River Valley Mall, Christiansburg. www.shopnewrivervalleymall.com.

Ghost Walk

Central Academy students take visitors on a tour of the ghostly side of town based on research done over the years by CAMS students. Cookies and punch for free in the History museum. Tours begin on court house steps. $5 for adults, $3 for students. 473-8394.

Kids Class: Spooky Treats

Making caramel apples with caramel webs, white chocolate ghosts and various "spooky" shaped cookie treats. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $26. Foodies, 4054 Franklin Road, Roanoke. www.cookingmadefun.com.

Downtown Trick-or-Treat in Blacksburg

Trick or treat in Downtown Blacksburg and then participate in the costume contest at The Lyric. 4 to 6 p.m. 951-0454.

Pumpkinfest

Trick or treat with the merchants, carnival games, a pumpkin giveaway, hay rides, a pumpkin auction and more. Proceeds benefit C.H.I.P. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $1; children in costume, free. Salem Farmers Market. 375-3057.

Community Day at Troutville Park

Includes food, crafts, kids' fun, a costume contest and live music. 2 to 5 p.m. Free. Trunk or Treat begins at 5:30.

Monster Musicals

Performed by the Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio. Family friendly. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Free. Jefferson Center, Roanoke. www.kjpas.com/

Zoo Boo

Trick or treat around the zoo, costume parade and contests, a spooky zoo choo ride and a scavenger hunt. 1 to 4 p.m. Adults, $7.50; children, $5; children under 2, free. Mill Mountain Zoo. 343-3241.

Halloween Madness in Marion

Harvest Festival at the farmers market, music, kids' activities, library events, and trick or treating. 8 a.m. Free. 138 W. Main St., Marion. (276) 783-4190.

Halloween Treats at Foggy Ridge Cider & Blacksnake Meadery

You'll find treats (no tricks) at both Foggy Ridge Cider and Blacksnake Meadery. Sample cider and mead paired with tasty treats. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 covers tastings at both locations. Foggy Ridge Cider, 1328 Pineview Road, Dugspur; Blacksnake Meadery, 605 Buffalo Road, Dugspur. (276) 398-2337 or 834-6172.

Children's Creepy Crawly Art Class

Create a creepy spider for Halloween. For children in pre-K through the fifth grade. 11:30 a.m. $6. Fine Arts Center of the New River Valley, 21 W. Main St., Pulaski. 980-7363.

Fall Festival and Trunk or Treats

Games, pumpkin patch, face painting, gospel train rides, The Scary Hall of Plagues, apple bobbing, crafts, candy and prizes. Bring your child in costume with a bag for treats. 5 to 7 p.m. Free. First United Methodist Church, 125 West Main St., Salem. 389-5459.

OCT. 30 AND 31

Costume Parade

For children, adults and pets. 2 p.m. Free; parking $3. Sinkland Farms, 3020 Riner Road, Christiansburg. 382-4640.

Mr. Ekshon's Spook Show

Screening of Charles Cullen's "Boogieman," a lecture by Charles Cullen and a Q&A session. 8 p.m. $10. Dumas Center, 108 Henry St., Roanoke. ww.charlescullen.com.

OCT. 31

Valley View Mall Trick-or-treating

Trick or treat with mall retailers. 4 to 6 p.m. Free. Valley View Mall, Roanoke. www.valleyviewmall.com.

Fincastle Baptist Octoberfest

Come in costume for games, inflatables, prizes, candy, food, music and more. 6 to 8 p.m. Free. Fincastle Baptist Church, 7330 Roanoke Road, Fincastle. 473-2861.

Halloween in Fincastle

A children's costume parade at 6:30 p.m. Participants should bring an unopened bag of candy to share. Trick or treating throughout the town will follow the parade.

Free hot dogs, drinks and candy will be served from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

A 6-minute Dracula short movie filmed by Botetourt resident Ian Kyle in Fincastle for the SyFi channel will premier inside the Family Life Center at Fincastle United Methodist Church for three showings. Times are 6:45 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

Light the Night

A positive, safe alternative to Halloween featuring clowns, an obstacle course, music, carnival game booths, food, prizes and candy. 5 to 8 p.m. Free. New Testament Baptist Church, 2500 East Washington Ave., Vinton. 890-3304 .

Trunk-or-Treat

Bring your trick-or-treaters to our parking lot to gather treats from the costumed congregation. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Raleigh Court United Methodist Church, 1706 Grandin Road, Roanoke. 344-6011.

Madison Heights Fall Festival

Featuring candy, a costume contest, games, hay rides, smores, dinner and more. 3 to 8 p.m. Free. 337 Lakeview Drive, Madison Heights. (434) 846-5007.

Fall Festival -- Trunk or Treat

Games, crafts, children's activities and more. Costumes welcome. 3 to 5 p.m. Free. Colonial Avenue Baptist Church, 4165 Colonial Ave., SW, Roanoke. 774-2084.

NOTE:

There are many events going on at local libraries. Check their websites or call to find out about costume parties and more.