Get into the spirit of things throughout Kansas this Halloween as ghost tours, a zombie prom, a scary train ride and the oldest Halloween parade take over the state.
Take part in one of the oldest Halloween celebrations in the country; Independence’s Neewollah (that’s Halloween backwards!) has been happening since 1919. This year, visitors can check out Neewollah from October 21 to 31.
Neewollah is the largest annual celebration in Kansas. The city of Independence will grow from a town of just under 10,000 citizens to 75,000 in the final days of the 10-day celebration. This year’s celebration includes three parades – a Doo Dah Parade, Kiddie Parade and a Grand Parade. A chili cook-off, hometown musical and queen's pageant also add to the festival activities.
The main downtown is filled with 30-plus food vendors, a large carnival and bandstand for nightly entertainment. The arts and craft show and Great Pumpkin contest along with the band competition, fun run and bike ride provide activities for everyone. For more information, visit www.neewollah.com.
Spirited spooks will be at The Little Red Barn Halloween Fest at Custer Farm just northeast of Hays from October 26 to 29. Take a hayride through the lighted forest of Halloween displays that covers five acres. Enjoy an outdoor fire pit, live animals, a ghoulish graveyard, a goblins gift shop, Halloween movie and other kid-friendly activities. For more information, call 785-625-4582.
The oldest Halloween parade in the nation takes place right in Kansas, in the small town of Hiawatha. The 97th Annual Halloween Parade on October 30 is a family-friendly event featuring two parades, one in the afternoon and a grand parade in the evening. For more information, call 785-742-7136.
For more information about top events in Kansas take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Kansas.