Dakota County Halloween activities calendar

MINNESOTA ZOO'S SCARECROW ALLEY: Themed scarecrow display at the Wells Fargo Family Farm. Ends Oct. 31. Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley. www.mnzoo.org or 952-431-9500.

TRAIL OF TERROR: Heated indoor maze, haunted hay ride, bonfire, costume contests, "Zombie pub crawl," "Torture Chamber of Darkness," corn maze, "Club Scream" nightclub and more. 7-11 p.m. Thurs.-Sun. through Oct. 31. Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds, 3525 W. 145th St., Shakopee. $12.95 for youths, $18.95 for adults at the gate; $9.95/$15.95 in advance at Walgreens locations. www.trailofterrorfest .com or 952-445-7361.

FRIGHTMARES OF BUCK HILL: More than 100 ghoulish characters at four haunted attractions. Also a full bar, dining, live music, bonfire and more. 7-11 p.m. most nights; 7-10 p.m. Sundays. Oct. 14-15, Oct. 20-23 and Oct. 27-30. Buck Hill, 15400 Buck Hill Road, Burnsville. $20 Wed.-Sat., $18 Sun. www.frightmares.com.

VALLEYSCARE: Indoor and outdoor mazes, scare zones, shows and "Planet Spooky" for younger children. Thurs.-Sun. through Oct. 30 (closed Oct. 13). Noon-7 p.m. Sun. (Planet Spooky only today, Oct. 16 and Oct. 23), 7 p.m.-midnight Thurs.-Fri., noon-midnight Sat., noon-11 p.m. Oct. 30. $9.99-$41.99. Valleyfair, Hwy. 101 and Valleyfair Dr., Shakopee. 952-445-7600.

MORE GRAVE TRUTHS: Historical cemetery tour with actors portraying spirits at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings. Tour departs from the LeDuc Historic Estate, 1629 Vermillion St., Hastings. Tours run every hour from 2-8 p.m. Oct. 15. $5; free for Dakota County Historical Society members. www.dakotahistory.org.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY REVEALED: The "Hastings Paranormal Team" will present some of its findings during a series of library events in October. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., Galaxie Library, Apple Valley; 3:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 18, Burnhaven Library, Burnsville; 1:30-3:30 Oct. 19, Inver Hills Library, Inver Grove Heights; 2-4 p.m. Oct. 22, Pleasant Hill Library, Hastings; 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 27, South St. Paul Library; 2-4 p.m. Oct. 29, Robert Trail Library, Rosemount. For more information, see www. startribune.com/a710.

APPLE VALLEY COSTUME EXCHANGE: Drop off gently used costumes 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 20-21, pick up a new one 10 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. Oct. 22. Those who cannot find a new costume will get a Halloween grab bag instead. Apple Valley Community Center, 14603 Hayes Rd. Free. 952-953-2300.

HALLOWEEN HOWL KICKBALL TOURNAMENT: Teams are encouraged to dress in costume, and there will be special inning rules such as running the bases backward and kicking with the opposite foot during this double-elimination tournament for ages 18 and up. Oct. 24, Veterans Park, 2701 Millard Av. Registration due Oct. 18; register at www.startribune.com/a708. $125 per team. 651-480-6181.

APPLE VALLEY HALLOWEEN BONFIRE: Creepy stories by the fire, games, crafts, hot dog roast, s'mores and more. Activities aimed at kids ages 5-9, but all are welcome. 5-7 p.m. Oct. 27, Valleywood Golf Course, 4851 McAndrews Rd. Registration required; deadline Oct. 20. See www.startribune.com/a707 to register. $4 per person or $12 per family. 952-953-2300.

HASTINGS COMMUNITY HALLOWEEN PARTY: Food, games, prizes and candy; recommended for ages 12 and under. Wear your costume. 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 28, Hastings High School commons, 200 General Sieben Dr. Free with food donation. 651-480-6181.

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS BOO BASH: Trick-or-treating for ages 2-12, games, crafts and more. Come in costume. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 28, Veterans Memorial Community Center gym, 8055 Barbara Av. Register by Oct. 21; on-site registration also available. Register at www.startribune.com/a709. $5 per child; adults free. 651-450-2480.

APPLE VALLEY TEEN DANCE PARTY: Costume contest, snacks, drinks and DJ. For grades 6-8. 7-10 p.m. Oct. 28. Apple Valley Teen Center, 14255 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd. $5 in advance; $8 at the door. 952-953-2385.

DODGE NATURE CENTER HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA: Walk the friendly "trick-or-treat trail" or the "scary trail" along the ghostly pond and haunted prairie. Also skits, face painting, scary hair, stories, music, costume contest and more. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 28. Dodge Nature Center, 1701 Charlton St., West St. Paul. $8 or $30 per family; $5/$20 for members. Age 2 and under free. www.dodgenaturecenter.org or 651-455-4531.

ROSEMOUNT HAUNTED TRAIL: A fun and safe trick-or-treating experience for preschool through middle-school-aged kids. Trail begins at S. Robert Trail park-and-ride lot, goes through Central Park and exits onto W. 145th Street. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 29. Free. www.rosemount events.com/HauntedWoods Trail.html. 651-423-4603.

HALLZOOWEEN: Crafts, treats and animal fun at the Minnesota Zoo. Dress up as your favorite zoo animal or other creature of choice. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30; treats and goodies 10 a.m.-2 p.m. while supplies last; Halloween craft 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Members-only version of the event on Oct. 31. www.startribune.com/a714.

EAGAN HALLOWEEN HODGEPODGE: Free trick-or-treat bags, carnival games and inflatables, face painting, crafts, free 4-by-6 Halloween family photos, magic show, preschooler activities and more. 3-7 p.m. Oct. 30, Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy. $3 and a food donation per child. Parents and kids under 17 months free with a food donation. www.startribune.com/a705 or 651-675-5500.

BURNSVILLE ICE CENTER HALLOWEEN PARTY: Free skating, discounted skate rental, trick-or-treating and more. noon- 1:30 p.m. Oct. 30, Burnsville Ice Center, 251 Civic Center Pkwy.

SOUTH ST. PAUL'S GREAT HALLOWEEN GET-TOGETHER: Trick-or-treating and other activities along Marie Avenue from 7th to 4th avenues. 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31. www.southstpaul.org (click on Community Events Calendar) or 651-554-3230.

MENDOTA HEIGHTS HALLO-WEEN BONFIRE: Residents can drop off brush starting Oct. 24 near Mendota Plaza to help prepare for the bonfire from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 31. Free hot dogs and soda courtesy of the Mendota Heights Fire Department, and goodie bags from local merchants. Mendota Plaza, 750 Hwy. 110. www.startribune.com/a716.