Fall is a great time to get out, enjoy the cooler weather and celebrate October’s boo-tiful holiday—Halloween!  There are plenty of great ways to join the spooktacular fun in SW Florida, from events to walks to festivals to shows.  Here’s a few!

For one, many look forward to the annual Fall Festival, which takes place on Saturday, October 18, from 9 am to 4 pm, at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, at 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-334-7419. The event is free to attend; however, there are fees to participate in activities. Attendees are encouraged to bring cash. Additional tickets are required for the museum, laboratory and the riverside part of the property. 

This year, there are a few new additions.  “We now have Scarecrow Walk!” says Marketing Coordinator Breanna Alexander. 10 local schools will be given a 6-foot scarecrow structure to decorate, which will all be displayed during the festival with each school's name underneath. “This is like our ‘Children's Tree Trail’, displayed during our Holiday Nights annual event,” says Alexander. Additionally, there will be new craft and food vendors, as well as a new inflatable obstacle course. 

“A must-see and fan-favorite of the festival is our pumpkin patch, where we have hundreds of pumpkins for sale and a lovely photo set-up,’ explains Alexander. Children can also choose to paint their purchased pumpkins with the materials provided and enter them into the pumpkin painting contest to win a prize.  “We also offer an activity to climb the iconic and historic Banyan Tree safely; this opportunity is available only at the Fall Festival!” says Alexander.

Secondly, Halloween-lovers also look forward to the 52nd annual Haunted Walk at the Calusa Nature Center at 3450 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers, 239-275-3435. The walk starts on Friday, October 3, and runs through Sunday, October 26, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. The Haunted Walk is a fundraiser that goes to help the Center’s resident animals, many of which are rescues. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. (Times and prices subject to change.)

Thirdly, is the popular Farmer Mike's U-Pick—Fall Festival & Haunted Attractions at 26031 Morton Ave., Bonita Springs. The attractions include a family-friendly 5-acre corn maze, open on Fridays through Sundays throughout October, and there’s also a pumpkin patch and sunflower picking! The Haunted Corn Maze is open on Friday and Saturday nights only. Tickets can be purchased online, starting at $15.98 for the family-friendly maze and $37.98 for the haunted corn maze. Festival activity tickets are only $6.98. Children 2 and under are free. (See website for tickets, more activities, and details.)

Lastly, Car lovers will love the Halloween Spooktacular Car Show at Bell Tower, at Daniels Parkway & US 41, Fort Myers, (239) 489-1221. This year’s show, a Corvette and Open Car & Truck show, will be held on Saturday, October 25. The show helps raise funds for local charities. The fun includes an adult costume contest, a decorated car contest, a 50/50 raffle, and trunk or treat for the kiddos! (Check website for further details, times, and other upcoming events.)