The Alameda County Fairgrounds has turned over much of October to Halloween, with two attractions that opened Friday, Oct. 2, and a food market coming next weekend.
Pumpkins After Dark
Pumpkins After Dark, a traveling walk-through attraction, is appearing at the Pleasanton fairgrounds for the first time. The fairgrounds lists a trail of more than 10,000 hand-carved pumpkins, along with treats and live carving demonstrations. Kami Van Halst, a marketing representative for the event, described it in a press release quoted by the Pleasanton Weekly as "spooky and atmospheric without being a traditional haunted house."
After this opening weekend it runs Thursday through Sunday nights for the rest of the month: Oct. 8-11 from 7 to 10 p.m., Oct. 15-18 from 6:45 to 10 p.m., Oct. 22-25 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. and Oct. 29-31 from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
The fairgrounds lists general admission for ages 18 and up at $28.80 and youth tickets for ages 4 to 17 at $22.80; children 3 and under get in free. Prices are subject to change.
Pirates of Emerson
The Pirates of Emerson haunted house, now in its 36th year, runs through Nov. 1 with four themed haunted houses, a virtual reality ride, games and bands. Hours are 7:05 to 10 p.m., with some nights running to 11 p.m. The fairgrounds says it is not geared for children. Admission to all four houses is listed at $48, or $38 for two.
