We got quite some news this week from parks around the US, including seasonal events, food festivals, and combinations of both!
Knott’s Berry Farm – Taste of Fall-O-Ween
While the theme park remains closed, Knott’s Berry Farm introduces its newest family-friendly outdoor food and retail experience celebrating the Halloween season and the flavors of Fall with Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween. Taking place Fridays through Sundays beginning September 25th, Knott’s pays tribute to the year’s spookiest season with a Fall food experience unlike any other. The spirit of Halloween comes to life with a cornucopia of Harvest and Halloween décor that will transform the park for the season. Guests of all ages can dress up in their most festive costumes to experience one-of-a-kind themed food and treats, exclusive event merchandise including specialty items from local crafters, an all-new “Into the Fog” art show with over 45 new art pieces celebrating the scary season, and so much more. Plus included with a junior tasting card, young guests will have an opportunity to take a trip through the fully themed Camp Snoopy Trick-or-Treat Trail presented by Hershey, loaded with multiple treat stations and special spooky decorations. All Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween activities will be conducted at a safe and socially distant space for families to enjoy.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay– Howl-O-Scream TEN Scare Zones for 2020
This year’s modified Howl-O-Scream event will include ten terrifying scare zones throughout Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s expansive 335-acre park, including four all NEW zones. Designed to scare safely, the creative production team has consulted with medical experts to modify this year’s zone designs with a physical distancing focus, as well as enhanced health and safety measures, while staying true to the terrifying experience fans crave. With significantly limited capacity to create plenty of open space, guests will experience the heart-pounding fear of NEW horrors as they dash between thrilling roller coasters and the fan-favorite Fiends show every Friday through Sunday from September 25-November 1, 2020.
ALL-NEW 2020 Scare Zones with Limited Capacity:
NEW: Lycan Landing: It’s always a full moon at this campground and the park rangers can’t hear you scream. When the campfires burn out, will you escape the glowing eyes leering through the trees or will you share their cursed fate?
NEW: The Shortcut: Cutting through the cemetery may seem like an easy way out, except when the corpses rise from the ground to invite you into their graves
NEW: The Junkyard: You’ll find more than spare parts as you explore this surly scrap site. Will you make it out in one piece or be devoured by the haunted rubble?
NEW: The Escape: In this treacherous realm, chaos reigns and rules are made to be broken. The escaped inmates of Grey Echo Penitentiary seek their own twisted form of justice and they’re ready to deliver your sentence.
These four all-new scare zones join a collection of returning fan-favorites. The complete list of frights, reservations and more are available now at www.HowlOScream.com. Guests are strongly encouraged to make reservations early as reservations are required and space is limited each night.
Hersheypark – Expanded 2020 Seasonal Events
Hersheypark has started sales of 2021 Season Passes, the newly-introduced 3-tier pass system and pricing is available here.
Hersheypark is also thrilled to announce there are more weekends to enjoy Hersheypark In The Dark than ever before, as the Halloween attraction will now be open for five weekends starting Oct. 2, 2020, and extending through Nov. 1, 2020; hours vary by day.
The seasonal event will feature family-friendly rides and coasters, including night rides on Candymonium and lights-out rides on Laff Trakk, Lightning Racer, Wildcat, and Comet; safe trick-or-treating for guests 12 and under with 13 candy stops along a new trail throughout The Boardwalk At Hersheypark and Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction; zoo experiences; festive Hershey Character experiences; and fall food offerings. Hours, dates, tickets and Resorts reservations are now available at Hersheypark.com/Halloween. 
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane holiday attraction will open to the public on select dates from Nov. 13, 2020, through Jan. 3, 2021. The merriest event of the year will feature more than 5 million twinkling lights – the most ever for the seasonal celebration; rides and coasters, including the all-new Candymonium; Santa; an up-close look at all nine live reindeer on a newly expanded viewing platform; shopping in the all-new Hersheypark Supply Co. and HP Collections shops; signature hot chocolate and other sweet treats; and more. Tickets for Christmas Candylane are on sale now at Hersheypark.com/Christmas for guests to buy early online and save. Hershey Sweet Lights attraction presented by Hersheypark, a drive-through holiday spectacular with nearly 600 illuminated displays, will also be open, with hours and tickets available late September.