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The Haunted Corn Maze at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company promises to “scare the living daylights” out of visitors. Courtesy photo
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Scaring up some fun this Halloween

Are you ready for a scary Halloween outing? Known as “the scariest haunted house experience in Southern California,” the Haunted Corn Maze is open on Friday and Saturday nights, 7-10 p.m., through Nov. 2 at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company and Pumpkin Patch in Carlsbad.

Jimmy Ukegawa, owner and founder of Aviara Farms and the Carlsbad Strawberry Company says: “Each night we have over 250 visitors to the maze and more than 50 ‘haunters’ who scare the living daylights out of the guests. This has become the most popular Haunted House for over a hundred miles!

“The night begins on the haunted path and then finishes the 1-mile trek navigating the corn maze. The ‘haunters’ then proceed to jump, run and chase the visitors throughout the fields, until they finish with many of them shaking in their boots or sighing tearful shrieks of relief.

“Be forewarned, it is scary! So, scary that people come back for more every year, and bring their friends.”

Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation has teamed up with the Carlsbad Strawberry Company, with proceeds assisting in the foundation’s work.

Enjoy a tractor ride on Saturdays and Sundays this month at Mellano Farm Stand in Oceanside. Courtesy photo

The entry fee is $25 to the Haunted Corn Maze, in addition to the general admission fee of $15, which includes access to the Pumpkin Patch. Ukegawa recommends that Haunted Corn Maze visitors arrive at least an hour before it opens, since the tickets are sold on-site with no reservations.

“It will be worth the wait, so wear your running shoes!” he says.

The Carlsbad Strawberry Company and Haunted Corn Maze are located at 1050 Cannon Road. Details and complete information about visiting the maze and Pumpkin Patch are at www.carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com.

PUMPKINS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

If you are looking for a fall family activity, the Mellano Farm Stand in Oceanside, is a family-owned farm that hosts weekend activities through October and November.

The Mellano family has been in the farming business for over 60 years and was one of the first family farms settled in the Oceanside area decades ago.

A pumpkin display at Mellano Farm Stand in Oceanside. Courtesy photo

The farm stand, corn maze and pumpkin patch are open Thursday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays in October, visitors can take a tractor ride through the farm fields to see acres of sunflower fields and more. Parking is free, with an additional fee for tractor rides. October weekend celebrations also include music, children’s activities and food trucks.

On Nov. 2-3, the farm hosts a Dia De Los Muertos Marigold Festival with a decorated altar, marigold garland making, corn maze and children’s activities.

The Mellano Farm Stand is at 5714 North River Road, Oceanside. Call 760-517-8383 for directions — it is a bit of a drive off Route 76, but worth the trip! Visit their website at www.mellanofarmstand.com.

Jano Nightingale is a horticulturist and Master Gardener and teaches vegetable gardening at the Carlsbad Senior Center. Contact her at [email protected] for her upcoming classes.

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