Halloween: Plenty of fun events in Modesto area

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Scary. Or not. It's all up to you.

The approach of Oct. 31 offers up scares and screams for those who lean toward the ghost and goblin side of things, or a night of harvest celebration for those who prefer a more benign kind of party.

Either way, the region is awash in Halloween and harvest events.

MCT - Candy jack-o-lantern.

Some are going on right now and will continue -- including pumpkin patch fun and at least one promise of a very scary haunted house.

This weekend offers up an All Hallows Fantasy Faire from the folks who bring festivalgoers the Sonora Celtic Faire. Event organizers promise 40 vendors, five bands, a children's area, stage acts, pumpkin carving, fairies, storytellers, fire shows, face painting and more.

Among the bands scheduled are Culann's Hounds, Black Irish Band and 1916. Dance comes from the Sierra Spiral Dancers, Adamantine and Sol Luna. And, when darkness falls tonight, you can catch a fiery show by the Brotherhood of Firebenders.

More on the boos and woo-hoos here and on the way:

DELL'OSSO FAMILY FARM -- Through Oct. 30. Zip lines, steam train, jumping pillows, corn maze, haunted house, pumpkin blaster, racetrack, food, pumpkins and more. Open at 10 a.m. daily. Dell'Osso Farms, 26 W. Stewart Road, Lathrop. Free. 982-0833. www.pumpkinmaze.com.

THE HI 4-H HAUNTED HOUSE: REALMS OF DARKNESS -- Through Oct. 30. Staged by Tuolumne County 4-H teens for other teens and young adults. Evening performances are not recommended for young children. Today's demonstration with lights is suitable for children accompanied by an adult. 4-5:30 p.m. and 7-9:30 p.m. today; 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 28-29; 7-10 p.m. Oct. 30-31; J.S. West Lumber, 730 S. Washington St., Sonora. $6; $1 for today's matinee. 533-6990. www.realmsofdarkness.org.

DUTCH HOLLOW FARMS -- Through Oct. 31. Pumpkins, picnic area, farm animals. 5101 Oakdale Road, Modesto. 456-4629. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Sundays; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays.

HAUNTED HOUSE -- Through Oct. 31. Presented by Riverbank High School drama students. 6-9 p.m., Saturdays-Sundays. Riverbank High School, 6200 Claus Road. $5.

FANTOZZI FARMS -- Through Nov. 1. Pig races, corn mazes, haunted mazes, pumpkin patch, corn cannons, hay-bale labyrinth, pony rides, pyramid and more. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays. Monday-Thursdays by reservations only. 2550 Sperry Ave., Patterson. $7-$12. 892-2015. www.fantozzifarms.com.

HAUNTED HAYRIDE -- Today. Small concession stand will be available and a Build a Bear vendor. Presented by the city of Riverbank. 7-10 p.m. Jacob Myers Park, Riverbank. $4-$6; children 3 and younger free. 869-7010.

A HALLOWEEN SAFETY FAIR -- Today. Meet McGruff. Also, bicycle safety and free bike helmets, free child ID and DNA kits, child safety seat installation and more. Presented by various police, fire and public safety agencies. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Save Mart parking lot, at Scenic and Oakdale, Modesto. Free.

ALL HALLOWS FANTASY FAIRE -- Today-Sunday. Live music, fantasy village, costumed performers, village marketplace, contests, jugglers and more. 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. today, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Mother Lode Fairground, Sonora. $5-$30; 5 and younger free. www.allhallowsfaire.com.

AUTUMN FESTIVAL -- Sunday. Intuitive readings, tarot, psychic counseling, reiki healing. Refreshments. 12:30-4 p.m. Creative Life Center, 145 Woodrow, A2, Modesto. Free. 526-7137.

EMPIRE COMMUNITY HALLOWEEN PARTY -- Oct. 30. Crafts, costume contest, pumpkin bowling, treats, face painting, story corner, candy and Halloween safety tips. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Costume contest at 3:30 p.m. Empire Library, 18 S. Abbie. Free. 578-3577.