With autumn here, the changing color of the leaves and a crisp and refreshing breeze in the air, come enjoy
some fun time on the farm at Merrie Acres. Offering a variety of family-friendly activities, visitors are sure to find something for everyone during their visit.

New and improved this year, the larger laser tag area and corn box, straw tower and maze offer competition andfun way to get lost in the fun. While Charlie’s Hayride and Joey’s Wild Slide, the straw tower, moon and castle bounce and Betsy’s Cow Train are capable of tiring out even the most rambunctious of patrons. Porkie’s pig race features humorous and fun races every hour on the hour ’til 5 p.m. and the five-acre
pumpkin patch at Merrie Acres allows for someone to search for and locate their perfect pumpkin. Also from 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 21, 22, 28 and 29, there will be a series of  Haunted Flashlight Maze Nights.

With all the activities, visitors are sure to work up an appetite and Merri Acres has a large variety of
delicious food available for purchase to satisfy that farm-sized appetite. There’s homemade smoked pulled pork sandwiches, Home Run Inn Pizza, hot apples and whipped cream funnel cakes, fresh kettle corn and much more!

Parking is free as is admission for children ages two and under. A general admission pass is $6s and a fun pass costs $8. The fun pass allows unlimited access to all activities all day except for laser tag which costs $2 per person, per game. Merrie Acres is located at 2900 S. US 35 in LaPorte. For more information call 219-398-6088 or visit www.merrieacres.com.

St. Bridget Oktoberfest

St. Bridget Catholic Church in Hobart will have its Oktoberfest from 5-11 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7 and from 4-11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the church. There will be entertainment in a beer garden with a $5 cover charge. A family section is available. On Friday, there will be a DJ from 5-7 p.m. while the C4 band plays
from 7-11 p.m. On Saturday, a German band plays from 4-5 p.m. while the Crawpuppies group performs from 7-11 p.m. There will be a money wheel, blackjack tables, tips and bike raffle plus big money cash raffle. A cash drawing will be at 11 p.m. on Saturday. First prize will be $4,000; second prize, $2,000; and third prize, $1,000. Concessions available: Uncle Ronnie’s Sweet Corn, hamburgers, brats and sauerkraut, hot dogs, soft pretzels, potato salad and bake sale. All proceeds to the St. Bridget community.

First Portage Harvest Festival Ready

Portage’s First Annual Harvest Festival is a celebration of art, music, wine and cheese and chocolate. Best of all, it is free. It runs Saturday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 9 from noon to 5 p.m., in Woodland Park. Enjoy the works of local and national artists at the juried art show. In addition to the three featured Portage artists, you can view and purchase works of art from Illinois, Ohio and Michigan artists. There will be original works in oil, pastels, metal working, handmade jewelry, stained glass, wood works, and photography. Musical entertainment: Saturday, Oct. 8 Noon-2 p.m. Chris & Lou; 2:30-5 p.m. Terry
Sulcer; Sunday, Oct. 9: Noon-2 p.m. Mario Moreno; 2:30-4:30 p.m. Christina and Johnsie Mays. Woodland Park is located at 2100 Willowcreek Road. For more information: Call 219-762-5425.

Michigan City Oktoberfest

The Michigan City Summer Festival Committee has its annual authentic German Oktoberfest to be held in Michigan City on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 9, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The Oktoberfest is held in Washington Park at the Michigan City Senior Center. Entertainment: Oct. 8 noon-4:30 p.m., Eddie Korosa and The Boys from Illinois; 7-10 p.m., Ein Prosit (25-piece German band with Alphorns); Oct. 9 noon-5 p.m., Steve Kowalczyk Band.

Heart of Art Studio and Gallery Tour

The tour takes place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16. All sites on tour are within LaPorte County. The tour begins at the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureaus, 4073 S. Franklin St., Michigan City. The Heart of Art self-guided tour takes place the third weekend of October every year from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
to celebrate artists, studios and galleries of LaPorte County. For more information, call Jay Slutzkin at 219-898-8088 or visit www.heart-of-art.com.

Hesston Ghost Train

Take a terror-ific ride through the haunted woods aboard the Flying Dutchman Railroad.  This is a trip you won’t soon forget as you train is haunted by many ghoulish creatures. The Ghost Train is frightening fun
for everyone and appropriate for small children. The train runs Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 29-30 from 12-5 p.m. at the Hesston Steam Museum, 1201 E. 1000 N., LaPorte. Admission: Adults, $5; children 12-and-under, $3. For more information, call 219-778-2783m or visit www.hesston.org.

Haunted Hayrides

Haunted Hayrides, Thursday, Oct. 27 – Saturday, Oct. 29, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road, Portage. The annual Haunted Hayrides have been a community favorite in Portage. Take a ride around Woodland park in a haywagon and prepare to be scared. Great fun for the entire family. Admission, $2 per rider; children under 2 free. For more information, call 219-762-1675.

North Judson Halloween Train

The train departs at 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29. Bring the whole family for an evening trip aboard the Halloween Train. The train will depart from North Judson and head to LaCrosse  where the lil’ ghouls and goblins can enjoy a no-so-scary animal show. The train will return to the museum after sunset, so
dress warmly in your favorite costume. Admission: $21 for adults; $15 for youths; and $9 for children. For more information, call 574-896-3950n or visit www.hoosiervalley.org.

Kregel’s Pumpkin Patch

An opportunity to pick in the field, or get pumpkins already gathered from the field, train rides, corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, honey from hives on the farm, snacks and refreshments stand, restrooms, picnic areas, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours. It is at 7705 W. 159th Ave., Lowell. Business hours are 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon until 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Available are mums, painted pumpkins, hay bales, corn stalks, many types of squash and gourds and freshly made kettle corn. For more information, call 219-690-1503.