Oct. 9, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 464

Contact: Ray Bivens, Delaware State Parks, (302) 739-9191 or Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, (302) 739-9175, Necia.Beck@state.de.us

Delaware State Parks Celebrate Halloween with Programs from Pumpkin Carving to Ghost Tours

DOVER, Del. - The public is invited to visit their favorite Delaware State Park to enjoy festive Halloween celebrations. Parks throughout the state are hosting events for families, adults, groups and individuals. More information is available from each park, or online at www.destateparks.com.

Brandywine Creek State Park
41 Adams Dam Road
Wilmington, DE
(302) 577-3534
Nature Center
(302) 655-5740

17th Annual Brandywine Creek State Park Haunted Trail
7 – 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18

Creepy crawlers, ghoulish delights, blazing jack o’lanterns, scary surprises and unbelievable mazes are a few of the scenes you’ll find at Brandywine Creek State Park’s annual Haunted Trail. Recommended for ages 12 and older, $10 per person. No pre-registration required.

Haunted Trail Volunteers Needed!
Join our “Scream Team” and help plan, set up, clean up and scare the wits out of our haunted trail visitors. Call (302) 655-5740 or e-mail Claire.Earnhart@state.de.us to sign-up.           

Pumpkin Carving
7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15

Bring your skills and creativity and help us carve up some pumpkins for our fantastic jack o’lantern display. These amazing pumpkins will remain at the park for our Haunted Trail! We supply the pumpkins and carving tools. Pre-registration required. Free program.

The Brandywine Zoo
1001 North Park Drive
Wilmington, DE 19802
(302) 571-7788

BOO at the ZOO 2008!
1 – 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Oct. 26

Celebrate another Halloween at Brandywine Zoo’s merry, not scary, event. This event is for all ages and includes fun games, face painting, a “spooky” scavenger hunt for critters that creep, and special treats. Children and their grown-ups are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes! Free with paid admission to the Zoo! 

Cape Henlopen State Park
42 Cape Henlopen Drive
Lewes, DE 19958
(302) 645-8983
Seaside Nature Center
(302) 645-6852

Tales of Poe
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17

Learn about the life of one of America’s first literary artists and enjoy a reading of some of Edgar Allen Poe’s best-known gothic poems and short stories. Refreshments provided. Pre- registration required. $3 per person.

Scarecrow Stuffing Contest
11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18

Stuff your scariest scarecrow in this fun contest. Everyone’s entry will be displayed at the Fantasy Trail, October 26-28. No fee, but pre-registration is required. Please bring old clothes, gloves, hats, etc. for your entry. We provide the straw.

Arachnophobia
2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18

Get caught in a web of discovery while learning about our local spiders. We’ll teach you which ones to avoid and give you some great tips for sneaking up on them in the wild. No fee.

Great Pumpkin Carving Contest
11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25

We provide the pumpkins and tools, you bring your imagination and skill. Pumpkins will be judged by Fantasy Trail participants on Saturday and Sunday evenings. First prize is a weekend stay at one of Trap Pond State Park’s cabins; second prize is a 2009 Annual Park Pass. Call (302) 645-6852 to register and for meeting location. $20 per team.  

20th Anniversary – Children’s Fantasy Trail
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25, and 6 – 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26

Bring the kids to our 20th Annual Fantasy Trail. Trick-or-treat for candy and toys with your favorite storybook characters on our best trail ever. Entertainment under the tent each evening will include singing, juggling, magic and more. $5 per person, adults and children. Costumes are appreciated.

The First State Heritage Park at Dover
152 South State Street
Dover, DE  19901
(302) 739-9194

Dark Dover
7 and 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18

Meet at the Delaware Visitor Center. Witness firsthand the chilling true stories of gruesome murders, whippings, and spirits that have left their sinister imprint on The Green. Pre-registration is required and spaces are limited, so please call (302) 739-9194 for reservations. $10 per person.

Fort Delaware State Park
Clinton Street
Delaware City, DE
(302) 834-7941

Spirits of Fort Delaware: A Night of Haunted Tales
Fridays, Oct. 17, and 24, Saturdays, Oct. 11, 18, and 25

With Halloween approaching, join the spirits of Pea Patch Island as they relate frightening and terror-filled tales. You never know what will happen walking around the island and inside the fort. This is not your typical Halloween Tour and is all new this year! The Haunted Tales are historical fiction, so they are intended strictly for entertainment. This program is filled by advance reservation only. The program cost is $22 per person. Tours are limited to 70 participants.

Candlelight Ghost Tours
5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24

These special programs book quickly, so make your reservations early to avoid disappointment. For information and reservations, call the park office at (302) 834-7941 or visit www.destateparks.com to make your online reservation. Tours cost $16 per person, and are limited to groups of 65 or fewer. All departures are from Delaware City.

Killens Pond State Park
5025 Killens Pond Road
Felton, DE 19943
(302) 284-4526
Nature Center
(302) 284-4299

Halloween Celebration
Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 24, 25 and 31, and Nov. 1

What better place to celebrate All Hallows Eve than in the brisk air at Killens Pond State Park? Fun and entertaining activities are scheduled throughout the day. Spend the entire afternoon, or just pop by for an activity or two!

Pumpkin Carving
7 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 24 and 31

First, learn how to create great jack o’lanterns for Halloween. Then try out your new skills on a pumpkin and take it home with you. Pumpkins, directions, tools and carving templates will be provided. Meet at the Campground Pavilion. Cost is $4 per person and includes pumpkin. Please pre-register by calling (302) 284-4299.  

Things that Go Bump in the Night
8:30 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 24 and 31

No need to be scared. This night hike will help explain the sounds of the night and take away a little of the scare when you learn how amazing the night life can be. $2 per participant. Meet at the Campground Pavilion. Please pre-register by calling (302) 284-4299.

Halloween Havoc
11 a.m. Saturdays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1

Bring the family and friends to a fun free-for-all program filled with crafts and activities. Meet at the Campground Pavilion. Please pre-register by calling (302) 284-4299. $2 per person.

Pumpkin Carving
1 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1

First, learn how to create great jack o’ lanterns for Halloween. Then try out your new skills on a pumpkin to take home with you. Pumpkins, directions, tools and carving templates will be provided. Meet at the Campground Pavilion. $4 per person, includes pumpkin. Please pre-register by calling (302) 284-4299.

Trick or Treat
2 – 4 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1

Time to dress up in your favorite costume and test out your trick-or-treating skills. Walk the campground and see how many treats you can get to enjoy for the rest of the weekend. Be sure to stay dressed for the costume contest.

Costume and Campsite Decorating Contest
4 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1

Dress in your favorite Halloween costume and see how you compare. There will be prizes for best costume and scariest. There will also be a prize for the “Best Decorated Campsite.” Meet at the Campground Pavilion.

Halloween Hayrides and Campfire
6 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 24 and 31, and 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1

Children of all ages are welcome to test their costumes and scary stories as we travel throughout the park on our hay wagon and then end up around the campfire for some spooky tales. $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Please pre-register by calling (302) 284-4299. Meet at the Campground Amphitheater.