by Kym Byrnes
October in Carroll County brings plenty of reasons to embrace the spooky season. From ghost walks and haunted trails to corn mazes, trunk-or-treats and Main Street celebrations, communities across the county are serving up a mix of eerie adventures and family-friendly fun.
Whether you’re looking for a good scare, knowledge on a little local history or simply an excuse to put on a costume, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Halloween close to home.
Get Lost in the Corn
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October
The Carroll County Agriculture Center’s annual corn maze offers a classic fall outing, including evening hours on Fridays and Saturdays. A trunk-or-treat activity adds to the fun on Oct. 25 from 2–4 p.m. CarrollCountyAgCenter.com
Hear Tales From Mount Airy’s Haunted Past
Oct. 2, 10, 17, 24 and 31
The Historical Society of Mount Airy’s Murder, Mayhem and Mystery Ghost Tours explore murders, fires, hauntings and other eerie chapters from the town’s past. HistoricalSocietyofMountAiryMD.org
Celebrate Fall in Hampstead
Oct. 10, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Hampstead Fall Fest kicks off at the War Memorial Park with hayrides, children’s activities, food, vendors, contests, live music and plenty of autumn-themed delights. HampsteadMD.gov
Welcome to “Mount Scary”
Oct. 23–30
Mount Airy transforms into “Mount Scary” for a week of Halloween happenings, including movies, contests, children’s activities and downtown trick-or-treating. MountAiryMD.gov
Trunk-or-Treat in Taneytown
Oct. 24, 2:30–5 p.m.
A trunk-or-treat event at Taneytown Memorial Park features decorated vehicles, candy and pumpkin-painting activities. TaneytownMD.gov
Spend a Spooky Saturday in Westminster
Oct. 24, 3–6 p.m.
Westminster’s family-friendly Spooky Saturday features trick-or-treating, crafts, games, entertainers and seasonal fun at Wakefield Valley Park in Westminster. Maryland.gov
Brave the Spooky Trail and Haunted CaBOOSe
Oct. 24, 6–8 p.m.
A spooky trail, costume contest and visit to the historic Haunted CaBOOSe combine for one of Mount Airy’s signature Halloween evenings. MountAiryMD.gov
Walk With Westminster’s Ghosts
Oct. 24, 26, 29 and 30
Carroll County Public Library’s Ghost Walk of Westminster combines local legends with a roughly 1.5-mile stroll through downtown Westminster. CCPL.LibraryMarket.com
Try a Quieter Halloween Celebration
Oct. 25, 1–3 p.m.
Sykesville Parks and Recreation’s sensory-friendly trunk-or-treat provides a calmer, lower-sensory Halloween experience for children and families. DowntownSykesville.com
Trick-or-Treat Down Main Street Sykesville
Oct. 25, 4–6 p.m.
Downtown Sykesville merchants welcome costumed children to Main Street for an afternoon of candy and community Halloween fun. DowntownSykesville.com
Make a Monster at the Library
Oct. 26, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
The Taneytown library’s Frankentoys program invites participants to take apart old toys and recombine the pieces into delightfully strange creations. CCPL.LibraryMarket.com
Farm Museum Lantern Walk
Oct. 27
The Carroll County Farm Museum offers family trick-or-treating followed later in the evening
by a spooky adult lantern walk around the historic property. 5:30 p.m. Trick-or-treat begins at 5:30 p.m., with an adult lantern walk at 8 p.m. Admission is $5 per car. CarrollCountyFarmMuseum.org
Prefer Your Ghosts Without the Walking?
Oct. 29, 5–6:30 p.m.
The Mount Airy library offers a virtual ghost tour filled with stories from the town’s haunted history. CCPL.LibraryMarket.com
