PAYNETOWN — Paynetown State Recreation Area (SRA) is gearing up for its most popular annual event, the Ghostly Gathering, running from Friday, October 24, through Sunday, October 26.
The three-day Halloween celebration is open to both registered campers and daytime visitors, ensuring everyone can participate in the weekend of spooky, family-friendly activities. The event often draws large crowds, with kids and adults sporting creative costumes for group photos and trick-or-treating.
The packed schedule includes a mix of crafts, nature programs, and traditional Halloween fun.
Ghostly Gathering Schedule Highlights
Friday, October 24
- 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Halloween Nail Art (Suggested $5 donation).
- 4:00 p.m.: Mummy Luminary Workshop ($5 craft fee; limited to 22 participants).
- 6:00 p.m.: Witches Brew gathering.
- 8:30 p.m.: Wizard’s Apprentice Night Hike (Limited to 25 people).
Saturday, October 25, the busiest day of the weekend, features a full lineup of activities:
- 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Creepy, Crawly Crafts.
- 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: The Monster March.
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Roll-a-Frankenstein activity.
- 1:30 p.m.– 4:30 p.m.: Ghosts vs. Science (Part 1 and 2), an exploration of the spooky and the skeptical.
- 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Halloween Campground Scavenger Hunt.
- 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: The evening wraps up with traditional Trick-or-Treating and the Campsite Decorating Contest.
Sunday, October 26
- 10:30 a.m.: Live Snake Program: Myths Debunked.
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Pinecone Owl Witchcraft session.
Details for all activities, including specific locations within Paynetown SRA, can be found on the online program calendar.
