Free Family Halloween Fun at Halloween Forest on October 28

Published on October 18, 2023

Halloween Forest will return to Milham Park on Saturday, October 28 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Halloween Forest is a completely free and family-friendly alternative to trick-or-treating for Kalamazoo families. This year’s event is sponsored by Lake Michigan Credit Union and Kalamazoo Friends of Recreation.

Milham Park will be filled with fall-themed games and activities like pin the spider, “boo”loon bounce, and witches brew for kids and families to play together. There will also be inflatable games including a 40 ft by 40 ft inflatable corn maze, inflatable axe throwing, inflatable barnyard kidzone, and an inflatable bobbing for apples game where participants will race to the center of the inflatable to grab apples.

An hour-long magic show by Alan Kazam will kick off at 3 p.m. and Klassy Kidz Characters Vamparie, Poppy, Paw Patrol’s Marshall, and Sonic will be available to meet and take photos with. There will be plenty of candy and cider for everyone to enjoy and snacks will also be available for purchase from Ibison Concessions, Schultz’s Treat Street, Tasty Treats by Cree, The Donut Cart, and Taste of Heaven.

All attendees can also participate in a costume contest for a chance to win prizes by getting their photo taken at the contest back-drop. Photos will be uploaded by 12 p.m. Tuesday, October 31 to the Kzoo Parks Facebook page in two categories, Family and Individual. The top three photos with the most likes in each category will win. Winners will be announced on Thursday, November 2 at 12 p.m. Prizes include passes to Airborne Adventure Park, Climb Kzoo, Gull Meadow Farms, and more.

“We love seeing all the kids and families in their costumes," said Shannon Keene, Special Events Coordinator for Kzoo Parks. "Even though it's a little cooler in the fall, events like Halloween Forest really highlight how much fun all the seasons can be and how we can come together in our parks and have fun throughout the entire year!" 

This event is free, and although the activities are geared towards families with children, all community members are welcome. Event parking will be available at the Milham Park parking area off Kilgore Road near the pavilion. Overflow parking will also be available across the street at Loy Norrix High School (606 E. Kilgore Rd).