Some things spooky this way come across the Modesto region

By Pat Clark

October 26, 2017 2:12 PM

Take a tour of the paranormal at Columbia State Historic Park. Tribune News Service

Paranormal Tour

The mysteries get real during a three-hour guided flashlight tour that creeps in and around several areas in Columbia State Historic Park where there’s been “unexplained activity” in the past. Learn the history of the people who lived in the gold-mining town, the techniques used in paranormal investigation and get a chance to find out if spirits truly do lurk among us.

WHEN: 8-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28

WHERE: Columbia State Historic Park

TICKETS: $50

ONLINE: friendsofcolumbiashp.com/paranormaltour.html

All Hallows Fantasy Faire

This ninth annual celebration of the macabre and the Celtic New Year in Sonora features live music, craft vendors, magicians and jugglers, food and drink and more. Part of the two-day weekend event includes a fire show and The Burning of the Harvestman. Music this year includes performances by Brick Top Blaggers, The Black Irish Band and Thee Hobo Gobbelins.

WHEN: Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29

WHERE: Mother Lode Fairgrounds, 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora

TICKETS: $14 advance, $18 gate adults Saturday; $12 advance, $15 gate adult Sunday; $5 kids 6-12 presale, $7 kids at the gate

ONLINE: www.allhallowsfaire.com

Central West Ballet’s production of Sleepy Hollow returns to the Gallo Center for the Arts. Pictured, principal Dancer Aaron Gulevich as Ichabod Crane. Bicek Photography/Central West Ballet

Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Central West Ballet presents what’s become a Halloween tradition with its “Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” based on the Washington Irving classic tale of a headless horseman, teacher Ichabod Crane, his romantic interest, Katrina Van Tassel, and the man who stands in between, Brom Bones. The ballet kicks off Central West’s 30th anniversary season.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26-27

WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto

TICKETS: $25-$35

ONLINE: www.galloarts.org

One of the frightening creatures visitors can expect to meet at the Deathworkz Haunt Halloween Festival at the Stanislaus County Fairground on Oct. 27-29. Deathworkz

Deathworkz Halloween Festival

Modesto’s horror experts Deathworkz bring a new event with its Halloween Festival, highlighted by two haunted mazes, one themed “Backroads” and the other “Nyctophobia” – fear of the dark. Five bands will perform over the three-day fest that also includes food vendors serving up such fare as voodoo doll cookies, severed monster fingers, zombie brain funnel cake, “gnawchos” and boo-ritos.

WHEN: 5 p.m.-midnight Oct. 27-28, 5-10 p.m. Oct. 29

WHERE: Stanislaus County Fairground, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock

TICKETS: $5-$20

ONLINE: www.deathworkz.com

Haunted Halloween Hayride

Hop on board for some frightful fun this weekend. The city of Riverbank sponsors this family-friendly event with a hayride through a variety of scary themed areas. Concessions also will be available.

WHEN: 7-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28

WHERE: Jacob Myers Park, Riverbank

TICKETS: $6-$12; free under age 3

CALL: 209-863-7150

The Summoning

The fun and frights rise at this annual street party in downtown Modesto. The event features Halloween-themed party rooms, including CarnEvil, Zombie Prom, Hocus Pocus, Chucky’s Playhouse and others. There will be costume contests and more at the 21-and-older event.

WHEN: 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28

WHERE: Downtown Modesto, 11th and J streets

TICKETS: $10 presale, $20 gate

ONLINE: halloweenmodesto.com

Stills & Collins

It was 50 years ago when Stephen Stills met Judy Collins and the two began a whirlwind romance. The romance flamed out but the songs it inspired have remained, notably “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” from Stills, and “Houses” from Collins. Stills and Collins, now old friends, recently released an album together, “Everybody Knows,” and are on a concert tour that pulls into the Turlock Community Theatre.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29

WHERE: Turlock Community Theatre, 1574 E. Canal Drive.

TICKETS: $39-$65

ONLINE: turlocktheatre.org

Lorrie Morgan

You might say Lorrie Morgan is country to the core. Her father, George, is in the Country Music Hall of Fame and brought her onstage at the Grand Ole Opry when she was 13. She joined the Opry herself at 24, the youngest person to do so. Her first three albums went platinum and the next three went gold. She brings her country pedigree to the Gallo Center.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28