By Patte Smith; courtesy photo

If you are a history buff, be sure to join the free walking tours of Cedar Hill Cemetery and Bear Canyon Cemetery. Both historic cemeteries, located in Castle Rock and Sedalia, are the resting grounds for many of the past pioneers and founding forefathers of the county. No tickets or sign-ups are necessary. Refreshments will be served after both tours.

The Cedar Hill Cemetery tour will be on October 13 at 4:30 p.m. Located at 880 East Wolfensberger Road, arrive a few minutes early to park and meet with your tour guide. Bear Canyon Cemetery tour will begin at 5 p.m. and is located at 397 North Perry Park Road in Sedalia next to St. Philip in the Field Episcopal Church. For more information, call the Castle Rock Historical Society at 303-814-3164.

For goodies and gumballs, the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce Trick or Treat Street(s) will be on Saturday, October 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the shops and businesses along Castle Pines Parkway and also at The Village at Castle Pines shopping center, 858 West Happy Canyon Road. Kids can dress in costume and visit local businesses for goodies. To learn more, visit www.castlepineschamber.com.

Join the exciting Spooktacular Halloween Festival on October 27 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Miller Activity Complex (MAC) in Castle Rock. Kids and adults be sure to dress in your costumes. There will be games, activities, bouncy houses, face painters, snacks and fun. Three separate sensory-friendly hours are scheduled, so be sure to visit www.crgov.com for more information. MAC is located at 1375 Plum Creek Parkway in Castle Rock.

Once again, the terrifying Castle of Terror doors will creak open at the Castle Rock Fire Department Training Tower, 303 Malibu Court. Everyone knows the building is haunted, but few are brave enough to enter. That is why no one under 12 is admitted without an adult. Enter if you dare on October 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27. Keep a close grasp on each other from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. as you stumble through the bone-chilling darkness. Hosted by the Castle Rock Fire Department; all proceeds from the event benefit the fire and police explorers. Admission is $10, cash or check only. Call 303-660-1066 for additional information.

The gates to the Haunted Forest will open at Rocky Heights Middle School on Friday and Saturday, October 19 and 20, 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. and tickets are sold in 30-minute increments to avoid a long wait. Enter if you dare. There will be ghosts and ghouls lurking behind trees and bushes – beware! A community area will be open with booths, an outdoor movie, and beer for the adults. For tickets, visit hrcaonline.org/about-us/guides-communication/calendar-schedules/event-detail/evr/2/haunted-forest-1.

Reapers Hollow, the Dead End Motel and the new 2018 Goblins Grove located in Parker is sure to be a scream this Halloween. You have to be brave entering and stealthy to survive. Visit www.reapershollow.com/ or www.facebook.com/reapershollow for more information, including location, prices, dates and times.

Hauntings at the Hangar is a great way to celebrate Halloween beforehand. The Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum will be transformed into a fun, spooky hangar filled with games, costumes, sci-fi characters and more on Saturday, October 27 from noon to 4 p.m. There will be trick-or-treating, movie cars, games and inflatables, face painters and a “Photo Bus” for all the great memories. Don’t forget there is a group/family costume contest too! For more information, visit wingsmuseum.org/.

It’s full steam ahead for the Trick or Treat Train that will run on October 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. Catch a ride behind a historic Denver & Rio Grande steam locomotive in vintage passenger cars hosted by conductors and engineers in full costume. There are special stops to fill treat bags. Enjoy local food, kettle corn, shaved ice and face painting. Visit coloradorailroadmuseum.org/ for more information.

Other favorites in the Denver metro area are the annual Glow at the Gardens at the Denver Botanic Gardens and the 7-acre Corn Maze at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms in Littleton. Chatfield Farms is also featuring Dead Zone Scream Park and Pumpkin Festival. Be sure to check it out at www.botanicgardens.org.

Halloween at the Denver Zoo features Enchanted Hollows and Boo at the Zoo. Visit www.denverzoo.org for more information.