In the mood for to be scared ... or just to have some Halloween fun?

There are several options for thrill seekers of all ages this weekend

Haunted Shack

The Haunted Shack and Ru-Ridge Farms have teamed up to provide folks with the ultimate fall experience during the day, and the ultimate fright at night. Located at 1781 County Road 1 between Carlton and Wrenshall, visitors can enjoy a pumpkin patch, pony and cart rides, a petting zoo, straw bale maze and more during the day (various prices). At night, there's a haunted hayride, the Haunted Shack, a haunted trail through the corn maze, and more, for $15 per person. The haunting grounds are open Friday, Saturday and Thursday, Oct. 25, 26, and 31, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For the faint of heart, there's Kids Day on Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., when both Ru-Ridge and the Haunted Shack combine for a less scary event. The first 250 kids age 12 and younger will get a treat bag to use for trick or treating along the Haunted Maze (admission that day is $12 donation/person instead of $17 for a combo ticket). This year there is also a craft fair/fall festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 26.

People who bring a nonperishable food donation get $2 off admission, and anyone who brings a coat gets $5 off.

For more information visit hauntedshack.com or haunted-ridge.com.

Read the story in this week's issue for more.

Haunted Hawthorne

Try some homespun frights and fun at the haunted yard at 837 Hawthorne in Cloquet, just off Big Lake Road. Homeowner Glenda Miller, her family, and friends join together to get into the spirit of the season each year to create an entirely different world behind their otherwise normal-looking home on Hawthorne. The yard is open 7-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, weather permitting. Donations are encouraged but not required.

LITTLE KID FRIENDLY

Fun at the Armory

Children ages 12 and younger are invited to a Halloween party at the National Guard Armory 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28. Lunch, coffee and cookies are provided. There will be a pumpkin decorating contest, games, crafts, activities, and a costume contest at 2:30 p.m. There is no charge, but donations of nonperishable food items are welcome. Sponsored by the Cloquet VFW Post.

Fall Festival

Fall Festival 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, Queen of Peace Church. Crafts, bake sale, raffles, coffee and rolls, lunch, children's games. Bingo 2-4 p.m. Polish dinner 6-7 p.m. Pancake breakfast 10-11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 27 at the church, 102 Fourth St., Cloquet.

Pumpkin Party

Children's pumpkin party 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Games, crafts, food, prizes for costumes for toddlers through teens. Lakeside community Club, 2 miles south on County Road 22 (South Finn Road) off of Highway 210, between Wright and Tamarack.

Trick or Treat at the Cloquet Public Library

Trick or Treat at the Cloquet Public Library all day on Thursday, Oct. 31. Come in costume and receive a free book.