HEALTHY HALLOWEEN

Upcoming fall and Halloween events have a healthy twist

From fruit picking to costumed fitness dance classes, the community can celebrate the season while staying fit at the same time. Area events include fall festivals as well as Halloween activities that keep it happy and healthy.

Here’s a sampling of what’s planned in the region:

Frecon Farms Picking Season in Boyertown, all month long

The community is invited to pick their own fruit every Wednesday through Sunday until Oct. 30. There are pumpkins, apples, pears, and sunflowers. There is also cider, a bakery and live music on the weekends. Frecon Farms is located at 501 S. Reading Ave. For more information, visit www.freconfarms.com or call 610367-6200.

Corn Maze in Morgantown, Friday

The event will have two mazes trough 12 acres of corn. There will also be zip lines, a jumbo jumping pillow, hay rides, , obstacle course, pumpkin painting and lots more. The event is 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mast Farms, 2175 Main St. The cost is $12. For more information, visit the website mastmaze.com.

Family Night Hike in Upper Pottsgrove, Friday and Saturday

The theme of this family-friendly event is Marvelous Monsters. Families will walk along the candlelit trail of the Althouse Arboretum while listening to storytellers. There will also be other children activities, games and a bonfire with marshmallows. The event will be on Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The cost is $2.50 per person and parking will be at Hillside Aquatic Club, 134 W. Moyer Road. For more information, visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ events/1702471549996062 or the website althousearboretum.org.

Mountain by Moonlight in Reinholds, Oct. 14, 15, 21 and 22

The South Mountain YMCA Camps are offering these fun community family-friendly events. There will haunted hay rides, carnival games, glow stick zip lining and more. The event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day. The address is 201 Cushion Peak Road. Parking is free but tickets will need to be purchased for activities. Tickets are $1 each or 12 for $10. For more information, visit www. smymca.org/events-calendar or call 610-670-2267.

Fall Family Fun in Phoenixville, Saturday

The community is invited to wear Halloween costumes at this fall event which will be held at the Colonial Gardens, 745 Schuylkill Road. It’s from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday. There will be a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, a fun house, corn maze and children’s hayride. Different activities at the event are different prizes. For more information, visit the Facebook event page www.facebook.com/ events/1740235556265130 or the website colonialgardenspa.com/pumpkin_land. html.

Haunts on High in Pottstown, Saturday

Pottstown businesses and organizations will be coming together to offer families a fun Halloweenevent. Haunts on High will be downtown Pottstown along High Street from noon to 4 p.m. The activities are free for kids participating in costumes and geared toward those 12 and under. There will be a safe trick- or-treat event, face paintings, a fundraiser for Art Fusion and more. During the event, Pottstown will have their 1st Annual Badminton Rumble. The rumble will include a free kids clinic as well as competitions for teams and individuals. The Mosaic Community Gardens will also be part of Haunts on High. Attendees will be encouraged to visit the gardens on Chestnut Street for their Annual Fall Festival to celebrate the end of the season. For more information, visit the Facebook event page www.facebook.com/ events/971879752934124.

Pumpkin Days in Media, Saturday and Sunday

This annual event is held at the Tyler Arboretum, 515 Painter Road. The event will include a bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin racing, hay rides, food and lots more. It’s from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Arboretum members have free admission, adults are $11, seniors are $9 and children are $7. Parking will be at the Penn State Branywine and shuttles will bus people to and from the arboretum. For more information, visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ events/1773048532983294 or the website www.tylerarboretum.org.

Apple Picking in Media, Sunday

Temple University Office of Sustainability is offering families an afternoon of apple picking at Linvilla Orchards at noon Sunday. Linvilla is a 300-acre family farm located at 137 W. Knowlton Road. For more information about the event or to register, visit events.temple.edu/applepicking-at-linvilla-orchard.

Spooky Mini Golf in Pottstown, Oct. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30

Spooky golf will be available at the Manatawny Green Miniature Golf course on several days in October from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The cost is $6 per player. People that bring their ticket stub from the Temple of Terror will get $2 off. For more information, visit www.facebook. com/ManatawnyGreen or call 610-970-6607.

Zumbaween event in Chester, Oct. 23

This event will include Zumba Halloween fun and costumes. There will be several instructors teaching fitness dance classes. The event is Oct. 23 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack. The address is 777 Harrah’s Blvd. in Chester. Tickets are $20 if pre- ordered and $30 at the door. For more information, visit the Facebook event page www.facebook.com/ events/177867599289265.

Haunted Woods Hike in Upper Pottsgrove, Oct. 29

If you want to combine a scare factor with outdoor fitness then attend the Althouse Arboretum’s Haunted House event. The community is invited to come in their best costumes then watch a classic horror movie. Also people will have the option to travel through the arboretum’s haunted woods. The night hike is perfect for thrill seekers. The Haunted Woods event is Oct. 29 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the arboretum, 1794 Gilbertsville Road. The cost is $5. For more information about the Haunted Woods event, visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ events/1270587919640431 or the website althousearboretum.org.

Trick or Trot 5K & 1 Mile Walk in Pottstown, Oct. 29

The third annual ACA 5K will have a Trick or Trot theme this year. Proceeds benefit the Adopt a Room Program at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes and trick or treating will be available for children along the course trail. The event will also include food and drinks. The Trick or Trot event will be on Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Riverfront Park, 140 College Drive. For more information, visit the Facebook event page www.facebook.com/ events/299447583772432.

Halloween Zumba Party in Wyomissing, Oct. 30

This glow-in-the- dark Zumba party is costumes optional. The cost is $10 at the door. All proceeds benefit the Animal Rescue League. Participants that donate an item to the rescue league will receive free glow gear. The event will have several instructors, raffles and more. It’s from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Down Under Sports & Fitness, 801 Hill Avenue. For more information, visit www. meetup. com/ FunBerks/events/234531458.

For more healthy living stories, visit the Fit for Life website pottsmercfit4life. com.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Nicholas Bussell, 2, plays with hay during The Whitemarsh Fall Pumpkin Festival which took place at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School’s Victory Field. The event included hayrides, face paintings, pumpkin decorating, rides, inflatables, vendors and more.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Kids play in the hay at the Turning Leaf Fall Festival held at Boyertown Park.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Lind Jensen-Sellers was dressed as a pumpkin for the costume contest in Pottstown.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Siena Capozzi wastes no time opening some candy as she licks a lollipop during the West Chester Halloween Parade in West Chester.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Donna and Dominic Roselli, left, and Cole, Clay and Valerie Sebra ride in a hay wagon in the Harleysville Rotary Club Halloween Parade.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Wendy and Dave Patterson take their grandchildren Bentley and Payton on a wagon ride during the Hay Creek Apple Festival.