Getting in the Halloween spirit? Enjoy the spooky season with these Merced County events

The days are getting shorter and the nights longer, beckoning in a variety of spooky happenings in Merced County as the Halloween season approaches.

From pumpkin patches to haunted houses, families throughout the community can find ways to celebrate the season. Here are a few of the events taking place in Merced County this October:

Vista Ranch Pumpkin Patch

Merced’s Vista Ranch Pumpkin Patch, located at 7326 East Highway 140, is open for Halloween festivities through Oct. 31. Formerly known as the Bear Creek Pumpkin Patch, the local business has been a staple Halloween destination in Merced for over 25 years.

The pumpkin patch offers a variety of pumpkins, corn, squash, gourds, wheat and more. The Vista Ranch tasting room is also open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and outdoor dining is available Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Hunter Farms Pumpkin Patch

Located at 2985 N. Southern Pacific Ave., Hunter Farms Pumpkin Patch in Atwater has a host of Halloween activities on its calendar through Oct. 31. Hunter Farms aims to provide the community with unique, fun and affordable festivities for all to enjoy the harvest season, according to its website.

In addition to picking pumpkins, visitors can enjoy hay rides, a corn maze, critter corral and more. Ticket information is available on the Hunter Farms website.

City of Merced events

The City of Merced is hosting a variety of local events for families to celebrate the Halloween spirit together.

The spooky festivities will kick off Oct. 22 with a Halloween Street Bash at Joe Herb Park from 6-8 p.m. Families can enjoy trunk decorating and trunk or treating. Costumes and treat bags are encouraged.

The Applegate Park Zoo’s Zpooky Nights run Oct. 28-29 from 6-8:30 p.m. Portions of the zoo will be decorated, with themes ranging from the Nightmare before Christmas to Hocus Pocus to Day of the Dead — and more.

Candy stations will be located throughout the zoo as well. Costumes are encouraged but not required.

Young Merced residents can enjoy a Tiny Tots Halloween Pumpkin Party at Applegate Park Zoo Oct. 28 from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. Participants are encouraged to come in costume to enjoy pumpkin decorating, crafts, photo booths and a Halloween maze.

Registration is required and can be done so by calling (209) 385-6235 or dropping by the office at 632 W. 15th St.

The annual Cops for Critters Car Show and Trunk or Treat event is also scheduled for Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m in front of the Merced Police Department. Registration is required for the car show.

Merced College pumpkin patch and haunted house

Merced College’s pumpkin patch is ready for picking on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays from 12-5 p.m. through Oct. 30. The patch is located at the Merced College Farm on G Street and Community College Drive.

The annual U-Pick Pumpkin Sale is sponsored by the Merced College Agriculture Division. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Merced College Farm. Pumpkin prices range from as low as 50 cents to $10.

For residents seeking a thrill, the Merced College theater department is offering an interactive haunted house titled The Last Masquerade. A popcorn bar, snacks, drinks and hot cocoa will be available for participants once they escape the haunted house.

The Last Masquerade will be open for thrill-seekers at the Merced College Theater Oct. 20-23 and 27-30. Tickets are $5 and participants must be age 12 or older to participate.

Livingston Trunk or Treat

The City of Livingston is holding a trunk or treat event on Halloween night from 6-8 p.m. Attendees can gather on Main Street in downtown Livingston to enjoy the festivities.

Trunk or treat is free to attend in Livingston. Participants can register their trunk on the City of Livingston website.