Knott’s Scary Farm – 40th Annual Halloween Haunt

Do you like to be terrified, have nightmares for weeks and be chased down by creatures from your worst fears? Well, at least if it’s all in fun? Then high tail it over to America’s Oldest Theme Park, Knott’s Berry Farm for the 40th Annual Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Haunt.

This year there are even more monsters, more mazes and more shows and entertainment to satisfy your thirst for terror.

There are twelve terrifying mazes, including the Trick or Treat maze, where for a nominal fee, you can actually trick or treat through the course of the maze itself!

There are nine shows to choose from including magic by Ed Alonzo, who you might remember as the magician from Britney Spears’ Circus tour. There is also a midnight witch hanging with an ending you have to see to believe!

Something new this year at Haunt is a special VIP maze called “Trapped.” Groups of up to six people pay a separate fee and get a reservation time for a one in a lifetime haunted house experience. You and your group are pushed to your limits in terms of fears, phobias and aversions in order to make your way out of the experience. I was too scared but I sent my husband through with a group of four others. He said it was the best experience he’s had at Knott’s Scary Farm ever and he’s be coming since 1988! Reservations must be made ahead of time and it sold out early this past weekend. The cost for the Trapped maze is $60 for up to six people.

There are mazes with clowns, vampires, Jack the Ripper, a twisted Pinocchio, Hunger Games themed and more. It’s a guaranteed fun night. I recommend visiting with a group which seems to magnify the fun.

I must warn you though, this event is not for young children. I would hesitate bringing any child younger than 14. My husband did not come until he was in junior high, which seems to be about the right age. There are some racy elements in the shows, but you are warned in advance before they begin.

We were there with on social media night and had the time of our lives. It is honestly the perfect date night and super fun when you make a group date of it. We had so much fun! Honestly, we were all laughing so hard, it brought me back to my teenage years. It was a night that won’t soon be forgotten.

The event runs this weekend and every weekend, Thursday through Sunday and October 30th and 31st. It is a separate ticketed event from the regular daytime admission, as the regular park closes at 5 PM on the days of Haunt. Tickets start at $36 in presale and can be found here at Knotts.com. The best nights to go are Thursdays as the weekends can get pretty busy. I like visiting earlier in the season as it tends to be less busy. For additional info head over here and be prepared for a spooky good time!

Disclosure: This is not a compensated post. I was invited to attend the Social Media Night, however all opinions are my very own.

BARK Therapy Reading Program

: Credit: Robert O’Connor

Our Dad Blogger Robert shares about a Fantastic Reading Program. He had the opportunity to participate with his daughter and shares all about it!

Would you like to encourage your child to read and have some fun in the process? I would like to share with you a great FREE program that will inspire your child to improve their reading, no matter what level they are at currently.

Credit: Barkdogs.org

BARK is an all volunteer program that brings therapy dogs to local libraries to stimulate your child to read. Some children who may be a little too shy to read in front of their classmates, are more at ease when they are reading to a dog. If you are fortunate enough to have a child that enjoys reading already, then reading to an attentive dog will only make it more fun.

Having a dog as your child’s reading audience is really the best of both worlds, as the dogs are not judgmental to a child’s reading skills and almost all children love dogs. It is easy to love these dogs also, as they not only adorable, but are thoroughly screened to make sure that they have the right temperament to be around groups of children. The BARK dogs have been to literally dozens of schools and libraries in southern California over the last 5 years since the program started.

The best way to have your child read to the BARK dogs is to visit your local library when the dogs are there for a visit. At the library there is no charge to have your child read to the dogs. Please go to their website at www.barkdogs.org to find out when they will be in your area. The BARK dogs are also available to visit schools and hospitals for a small fee.

Batman Live Giveaway

Update: The giveaway is now closed. The winner of the giveaway is Megan. Thank you again for entering and stay tuned because I have other great goodies to giveaway soon!

Earlier in the month, I posted about Batman Live coming to the Staples Center from September 27th to the 30th. . The Staples Center will host 7 shows. The live-action arena spectacular BATMAN LIVE is a 15 million dollar stage production with an original story featuring a 43 strong cast of actors and circus trained acrobats, a 3D Gotham City landscape, a bespoke symphonic score, custom-built state-of-the-art stage, a 100 foot bat-shaped LED video wall, pyrotechnics and the impressive Batmobile, designed especially for the show by legendary racing car designer Professor Gordon Murray.

Faithfully adapted from the DC Comics characters and stories, BATMAN LIVE focuses on Robins quest for justice, which leads him to follow in the footsteps of his hero the mysterious vigilante known as Batman, much to the dismay of his protective guardian, billionaire Bruce Wayne, whom the audience knows is secretly Batman. This dynamic triangle resolves itself in a non-stop thrill-ride across Gotham City that transforms Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson into the legendary crime-fighters, Batman and Robin. The adventure transports the audience from the Big Top of Haly’s Circus to the depths of Arkham Asylum, and from the glittering peaks of the Penguins Iceberg Lounge to the subterranean wonders that await inside the Batcave.

I have a four pack of family tickets to giveaway to the Thursday night show. This giveeaway is open to local residents only and will close on Wednesday, Sept 26th at noon. All you have to do is let me know why you would like to go and you will be entered. Good luck and don’t forget that you can learn more about the show by checking out Batman Live onFacebook or you can purchase tickets here. You can purchase a family four pack of tickets for $80. . The Staples Center will host 7 shows from September 27th to the 30th. You don’t want to miss it!

Disclosure: Batman Live is a sponsor of Daytrippingmom.