Families looking for local Halloween fun will have their pick of the litter this year as numerous events, ranging from fun to frightening, will be featured in the area in the next week.

Family-friendly

Highlands Fall Festival will be held at 1211 West North Main Street in LaFayette. There will be candy, games, inflatables, and a petting zoo from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 31. Admission is free.

Naomi Elementary School will hold a "Not So Scary Trick-or-Treat Night" from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 25. As part of the fun, information sessions about technology and the school’s new phonics program will be offered . Bring your iPad, iPhone, Nook or other tablets and learn to master its use.

The LaFayette Elks Lodge will hold its third annual Haunted House from 8-11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 through Saturday, Oct. 27, and from Monday, Oct. 29 through Wednesday, Oct. 31. The Elks Lodge is located at 3158 Highway 27, just north of Wal-Mart in LaFayette. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children age 12 and younger. Proceeds will go to Christmas for Kids. A concession stand will be available. Lodge phone is (706) 638-3591.

Lake WinnepeSPOOKah opens it ghostly gates on Friday and Saturday evenings, October 26 and 27, from 6-11 p.m. Gate admission, unlimited rides and all special Halloween attractions are included in a $24 admittance fee. A youth/senior ride pass for ages 1 and 2 and 65 and older is $10. For more information, visit lakewinnie.com or call 1-877-LAKEWIN.

A Mystery Dog Ranch - Haunted Ranch and Hayride will be held to benefit Hozho Therapeutic Equestrian Services at 975 Wooten Road, in Ringgold. Gates open at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27. Cost is $10 per person for the Haunted House and Haunted Hayride.

The Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center will hold its 13th annual Festival of the Jack O’Lanterns Saturday, Oct. 27, from 2-9 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 28, from 1-7 p.m. Enjoy animal presentations, guided hikes and canoe trips down historic Lookout Creek. Other activities include pumpkin carving, storytelling, a bonfire for cooking s’mores, live music, a petting zoo, hayrides through Reflection Riding and outdoor movies such as, “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.” Pumpkins can be bought at the center or visitors may bring their own. Bring a blanket or chairs for the movie. Admission for CA&NC members is $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 4-11. Admission for non-members is $12 for adults and $10 for children. Children age 3 and younger are admitted free. Additional fees apply for buggy and pony rides and guided canoe trips. Reservations for canoeing are encouraged as space is limited. Call 423-821-1160, ext. 0, to reserve a boat.

The Rossville Library will host a preschool Ready to R.E.A.D. Time class at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30. The class consists of books, games and crafts. The theme is “Happy Halloween.” Enjoy hearing spooky stories and having a party. For homeschoolers, a "Happy Halloween" program will take place at 2 p.m. the same day. The class consists of books, games, experiments and crafts. Kids will read spooky stories and have a party.

Midway Baptist Church in Summerville will hold Trunk or Treat starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31. Enjoy free hot dogs and drinks.

Scare On The Square 2012 will be held from 5:30-7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31. Candy will be handed out to trick-or-treaters by merchants and other organizations in downtown LaFayette on the square.

Hallelujah Harvest at Cedar Hill Baptist Church will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31. Enjoy games, food, fellowship and Trunk or Treat for children. The church is one mile east of the Fort Oglethorpe Wal-Mart at 60 Dyer Bridge Place, just off Battlefield Parkway. For more information, call 706-858-0976, e-mail pastor@cedarhillbaptist.com or visit cedarhillbaptist.com

Cloudland Canyon offers three “haunted hay rides” Halloween night at 6, 7 and 8 p.m., for those who want to travel a long dark, dirt road into the forest to meet goblins and other scary things. Hot dogs, S'mores, snacks and drinks will be sold. Leashed and licensed pets may also ride. Meet at the Interpretive Center. Park entrance is $5. Haunted hay rides cost $8. The park is off Highway 136 near Trenton.

Lighthouse Foster Care in Ringgold is sponsoring a trunk or treat at their office Halloween night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Everyone is invited.

Thrill-seekers beware

Ringgold's Haunted Depot, at the the historic Ringgold Depot at 155 Depot Street, is open Oct. 26-27, from 7 p.m. The cost is: Haunted Depot, $5; old-fashioned hay ride, $3; ghost walks, $5.

Blowing Screams Farm will present the haunts Forest of Fear and GhostRide starting at dark every Friday and Saturday night in October. Admission is $25 for both haunts. Due to the intense nature of these attractions, parental discretion is advised. Address is Blowing Springs Farm (by day) at 271 Chattanooga Valley Road, Flintstone. Visit blowingscreamsfarm.com for more information.

Dreadhaven is the town haunted at this season’s Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern. This nationally-ranked haunt is open every Friday through Sunday until Oct. 28, and Wednesday, Oct. 31. Special ticket discounts are offered right now by purchasing them online at hauntedcavern.com.

Community fun

The 2012 Mud Run with the Zombies 5k mud run begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at 588 Piney Road in Trenton. Along with the 5K Run with the Zombies, there will be a kids' race, a sled pull, and prizes for the best costume of the day. Enjoy live music, food and beverages. Farm gates open at 7:30 a.m. Day-of registration begins at 8 a.m. The kids' race starts at 9 a.m. and the first wave of official 5K participants run at 9:30 a.m. The sled pull is held later in the morning at 11 a.m., and entertainment takes the stage at 2 p.m. Race registration is $65 for solo men, $65 for solo women, and $200 for teams of five. Online registration closes at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. To register, go to http://www.moonshinemudrun.com/. The run benefits the United Way 2012 Community Campaign. For more information, call 423-752-0321.