Check out these fall events

Haunted Ridge

As the nights grow longer and Halloween approaches, there are some who gravitate toward the frightening and the macabre. And then there are those who don’t.

A farm at 1781 County Road 1 (about halfway between Carlton and Wrenshall) aims to satisfy both inclinations. Home to two businesses operating side-by-side, Ru-Ridge Corn Maze offers wholesome family fun while the Haunted Shack — with its haunted hayride and haunted corn maze — offers shrieks and giggles after the sun goes down.

In daylight, it is Ru-Ridge Corn Maze, a place where children and adults can find their way through a uniquely designed corn maze, ride horses, commune with animals at a petting zoo, go on a hayride and tackle the kids’ Ninja course.

Ru-Ridge is open Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (it’s flashlight Friday in the corn maze), Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $8 per person, and is free for ages 2 and younger.

When the sun goes down, the werewolves and ghouls come out, as the Haunted Shack opens up, along with its own haunted corn maze and haunted hayrides that pass by grisly and ghostly scenes. The Haunted Shack is open Thursday through Sunday Oct. 15-18, Oct. 22-25 and Oct. 29-31. Admission to all three attractions is a $15-per-person donation, with proceeds going to a number of local charities. Bring a coat to donate for $5 off and a nonperishable food item for $2 off. They will have a kids’ day (and for the faint of heart) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 for $10 per person.

Don’t forget to wear a mask and expect other Covid-19 precautions to keep these attractions safe for all.

Boo at the Zoo

Get the kids dressed up and head to the zoo to trick-or-treat and see wild animals. The Lake Superior Zoo’s annual fundraising event continues this weekend with trick-or-treat stations, a mini pumpkin hunt, a scavenger hunt, chalk walk, magic show, zoo animals, and more. Although it began last weekend, the family friendly event continues for two more weekends, Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25.

Tickets are $10 for members, $12 for non-members, free for ages 2 and younger and must be purchased in advance. Time slots are two hours long; there are nine to choose from between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. Visit lszooduluth.org/boo-tickets, or call 218-730-4500 ext. 200.

Zoo capacity is limited and carefully monitored to ensure physical distancing. Each time slot is limited to 125 tickets per group to adhere with the limit of 250 guests on zoo grounds at one time. Other Covid precautions include a one-way path through the zoo, hand sanitizer stations and more.

Visiting the beyond

Tour haunted locations virtually with paranormal investi-

gator Curt Strutz. The Cloquet Public Library will have a free Zoom event from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. Watch from home or in the Northwoods meeting room at the library. Registration is recommended if attending in person. Email [email protected] or call 218-879-1531 or stop at the library to register.

Fun at home

The following adult take-and-make kits are available at the Cloquet Public Library while supplies last:

• Fall greeting card. Make a simple, fall-themed greeting card with the supplies in our take-and-make kit.

These free kits are available in the library lobby and at the circulation desk while they last.

• Color your yard DIY wildlife feeder. Brighten your yard with your own tire wildlife feeder! The take-and-make kits, designed by April and Reggie Fountain of Fountain Art in Chisholm, include everything you will need to make a colorful piece of art that can be used year-round to feed birds and other wildlife. Only 30 free kits are available beginning October 1 at Cloquet Public Library, so stop in to get yours while they last.

• Halloween wooden bead garland. Use your artistic skills to create a Halloween-themed wooden bead garland with the supplies in our free take-and-make kit. Everything you need to paint and string the beads is included. The garland can also be worn as a necklace or bracelet. Kits are available during October in the library lobby and at the circulation desk while supplies last.

Carlton treats

A number of downtown Carlton businesses will hand out candy to trick-or-treaters 1-3 p.m. on Halloween (Saturday, Oct. 31), giving kids a place to go outdoors while being socially distanced. The Carlton Chamber is also holding a scarecrow contest on the light poles down Chestnut Avenue.

New Life Community Church in Carlton is holding a trunk-or-treat event 4-6 p.m. Oct 31.

Hosting an event the weekend of Halloween? Email your details to [email protected] by Oct. 25.