The Frankenstein Experience at Haunted Mountain

The creative team that stages the outdoor drama “Tecumseh!” in Chillicothe each summer brings one of the most beloved horror stories of all time to life at Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre this fall. The Frankenstein Experience comes to Haunted Mountain Thursday through Saturday evenings in October.

The centerpiece of the night is a 65-minute-long, performance of the Frankenstein story, complete with lighting, sound and special effects. The show’s producer, Brandon Smith, says he enjoys entertaining guests and providing a space for them to experience the season.

“What we’ve learned over the past seven years or so of doing Haunted Mountain is that people really appreciate a spectacle,” he says. “Halloween is about having a good time, putting on a fun show and making sure that people have an experience that they want to come back for.”

Prior to the general admission seating for each performance, the evening begins with a 20-minute laboratory-themed escape room, and after the show, the Haunted Trail welcomes guests to take a spooky stroll through the woods (both require separate tickets). Show attendees can also enjoy tomahawk throwing, a scavenger hunt and a screening of a classic horror film on the largest outdoor movie screen in southern Ohio as part of the regular admission. For more information, visit hauntedmountain.org.

Barnesville Pumpkin Festival

Giant pumpkins are the highlight at this fall festival in Barnesville, Ohio. The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival takes place annually the last full weekend of September and celebrates the fall harvest season with an emphasis on growing pumpkins.

The origins of The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival dates to 1964, and it has remained an iconic Ohio event. The festival is organized by a locally appointed committee and attracts over 100,000 attendees each year.

Of all the pumpkin-themed activities, you won’t want to miss the weigh-in of champion pumpkins.

Behemoth pumpkins in 2017 and 2022 set the record for the state of Ohio, weighing in at 2,150 and 2,195 pounds respectively. In 2022, the King Pumpkin also set the Pennsylvania state record when a grower from Harrison City, Pennsylvania, entered his 2,405-pound pumpkin. It also holds the title of being the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival’s largest pumpkin ever and was sold for $13,000 at the festival’s auction.

The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival offers four days of nonstop fun, including two stages hosting live musical entertainment, an antique and classic car show with over 400 vehicles and rides and games set up in traditional carnival fashion. There are competitions, educational agriculture and horticulture displays and a giant pumpkin parade.

Attendees can shop from vendors offering harvest-inspired crafts and enjoy pumpkin-flavored culinary delights. For more information, visit barnesvillepumpkinfestival.com ●