Cougars! Fall is upon us, and of course, with it comes piles and piles of community events, festivals, and fun things to do in and around Colorado Springs relating to fall.

CORN MAZES/PUMPKIN PATCHES

-Diana’s Pumpkin Patch

Just a short drive away in Canyon City is a family owned fall fest which opened on September ninth and will run every weekend through October 31st. They have a corn maze which takes 45 minutes to an hour, a pumpkin included in admission, and a hay ride. Diana’s is open from 10 A.M. to 9 P.M. on Friday and Saturdays, and 10 to 6 on Sundays. Tickets are 9 dollars.

dianaspumpkinpatch.com

-Denver Botanic Gardens – Chatfield Farms

Located an hour away in Denver is an 8-acre corn maze put on by the Denver Botanical Gardens. The corn maze runs in three different iterations: a daytime maze, an after dark maze, and a haunted after dark maze. The daytime maze takes about an hour, and the nighttime longer because the only source of light is a personal glowstick! For younger siblings, there are pony rides and a hay ride. Admission for the daytime and nighttime maze is $13, and $27 for the haunted maze. The attraction is open from 10 A.M. to 11 P.M. Fridays and Saturdays through October 30th.

botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/corn-maze

-Wishing Star Farm Fall Fest

45 minutes east in Ellicott there is the Wishing Star Farm maze. Like the botanical gardens, there is a daytime and a haunted maze, priced at $10 and $18 respectively. Wishing Star also has a pedal cart track, horseshoe pits, cornhole, a petting zoo, and hayrides. They have a pumpkin patch with $4 pumpkins of any size. The Farm is open from 9 A.M. to 5.M. Thursday through Sunday and reopens at 7 A.M. until 10 P.M. for the haunted maze.

wishingstarfarm.com/pumpkin-patch

-Venetucci Farm

In southwest Colorado Springs, the historic working farm of nearly 200 acres offers vast fields of pumpkins. The farm boasts a wide range of shapes and sizes of pumpkins, which they sell at 50 cents a pound. Venetucci gives the proceeds from the pumpkin sales to a local charity which gives pumpkins to underprivileged kids in the community. Venetucci’s pumpkin patch opens on October 11th and operates from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.

ppcf.org/our-projects/venetucci-farm

HAUNTED HOUSES

  -HellScream

HellScream has been rated best and scariest haunted house in Colorado Springs by the Gazette for several years, and the best haunt in Colorado by Denver Haunted Houses. They are located off of Fillmore on Hancock Ave and are open weekends from 7 to 11 P.M.

hellscreamhaunt.com

-Ghouls Gulch

Ghouls Gulch is located at the corner of Palmer Park and North Academy. The group offers two haunts, priced at 15$ for one and 26$ for both. They are open Friday and Saturday until the 13th, then they are open Thursday through Sunday until Halloween, from 7 to 10 P.M.

ghoulsgulch.com

-Haunted Mines

On the North end of the Springs at exit 156A lies the Haunted Mines, which donates proceeds from admission towards local Pikes Peak charities. They’re open Thursday through Sunday most October weekends, at 7:30 P.M. Tickets are 20$ typically-but fluctuate with events at the haunt and dates.

hauntedmines.org

FESTIVALS

-Giant Pumpkin Festival

Right in Old Colorado City on Saturday the 22nd from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. a plethora of giant pumpkins will line the streets. Farmers from Colorado and neighboring states will bring the best of their crops to compete for the largest pumpkin. Beyond pumpkins, the fest boasts a costume contest, a kid’s zone, and a sidewalk sale featuring local Old Colorado City shops, and outside vendors.

bit.ly/2ds7b4w

-Boo at the Zoo

Boo at the Zoo is a longtime fall staple, open October 21st-23rd, and 28th-31st, the event provides a unique opportunity to trick or treat in the zoo, seeing animals and getting candy at the same time. The event is 17.75$, with candy included. All candy is gorilla habitat and hungry kid friendly! This event frequently sells out, so be sure to get your tickets early!

bit.ly/1ZA1507

-Emma Crawford Coffin Race

Another Westside staple, the Emma Crawford Coffin race occurs each year in Manitou and boasts one of the most rambunctious and unique events in the Pikes Peak Region. Teams of five compete in a 195-yard race down Manitou Ave. pushing a coffin cart, in honor of Emma Crawford, whose remains slid into Manitou in 1912 after heavy rainfall disturbed her grave. Come to Manitou on October 29th from 12 to 2 P.M. to witness the fun, or fill out an application to be a part of the race with four of your friends!

bit.ly/1MCcbZ4