Weekend Possibilities | Dark Forest, Día de los Muertos and Dogtober Fest Partake in the Paranormal

Would you explore a pitch-black 19^th century jail alongside paranormal investigators? That’s just one of the spooky options this late-October weekend, in addition to trunk-or-treat at 18^th and Vine, Dark Forest at Powell Gardens and Boo & Brew at Town Center.

Friday, Oct. 20

5:30 – 9 p.m. Hayrides, mad science, fortune tellers, a scarecrow maze, marshmallow roasts, games and pirate ship races are just some of the fun scheduled for Night of the Living Farm at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, 13800 Switzer Road, Friday night. There are a limited number of tickets available each night. Don’t forget to wear a costume. Admission is $15.

7 – 10 p.m. A magical and mysterious night in the woods awaits in Dark Forest at Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. 50. The botanical garden is partnering with Quixotic to create an immersive multimedia walk-through experience marked by paranormal faces and supernatural beings. You’ll find both alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments, along with food throughout the Dark Forest. Admission is $35. Parking is $10.

Saturday, Oct. 21

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Are you down to clown? There’s a free Beginning Clown Workshop happening this weekend at the North Kansas City Public Library, 2251 Howell St. Find out if clowning is right for you with a day of make-up and costuming demos, plus lessons in magic, juggling, balloon twisting and comedy. Each participant will get a free workbook to continue the fun and games at home.

3 – 6 p.m. Spend Saturday afternoon with the entire family during Boo & Brew at Town Center Plaza, 5000 W. 119^th St. The free fall festival in Leawood will have live music on the main stage, beer vendors and food trucks and aerial performances from Kansas City Aerial Arts. Kids can get an early jump on collecting candy with trick-or-treating at Town Center Plaza retailers.

5 – 9 p.m. The 10^th Annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Kansas City Museum, 3218 Gladstone Blvd., will honor the history and cultural traditions of Mexico Sunday evening across the museum’s east lawn and main floor. The celebration will have live music from Mariachi Estrella KC, dance by Grupo Folklorico Izcalli, face painting, arts and crafts, community altars and more. Food vendors including YOLI Tortillas, La Hamburgesa Local and Sugar Skull Mexican Food Truck will be stationed outside of the museum.

7 & 9 p.m. The 1859 Jail Museum, 217 N. Main St., is turning out the lights for hour-long paranormal activity investigations throughout the month of October. A guide will lead guests through the history of the Jackson County Historical Society Site in Independence, Missouri, before a pitch-black tour of the jail, where murders, executions and deaths took place. You must be 13 or older to join the investigation. Equipment is provided. Tickets are $35.

Sunday, Oct. 22

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Zona Rosa’s Pink Dinosaur Boutique, 7117 N.W. 86^th Terr., is celebrating the Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift hype Sunday with a Taylor Tailgate Party. The pop-up will provide Swifties and Chiefs fans the opportunity to shop around and pick up a few “Kelce Era” cookies from Cookie Bliss KC ahead of kickoff. Preorders are encouraged.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Dogtober Fest will bring more than 3,000 dogs to Kemper Outdoor Education Center in Fleming Park, 8201 S. Jasper Bell Road, on Sunday. Bring your pup and check out more than 75 vendor booths for info on adoption and vet services, pet supplies, treats and toys, pet photo opportunities and more. Dogtober Fest plans for best trick, best kisser, dog/owner lookalike contests and a Halloween costume contest. The festival is free with a can or bag of dog food. Ticketed activities include fun runs, a nose work practice search competition and other dog show events.

3 – 6 p.m. Casual Animal Brewing Co. will host a Chiefs Watch Party as the kingdom welcomes the Chargers to town. The game will be on a 17-foot big screen and the Crossroads brewery will serve up $2 swifty eight-ounce pours with every Chiefs touchdown.

5 – 9 p.m. Break out the costume early at Spooky Vibes on The Vine Trunk-or-Treat Sunday evening in the parking lot at the Black Archives of Mid-America, 1722 E. 17^th Terr. Little ghouls and goblins can look forward to trunks full of treats, free food and games, costume contests, live music and more. There will be free clothes and personal products available as well. Don’t forget to dress your four-legged friend for the pet costume contest. The event is free.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.