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- calendar_today October 12, 2026
Beech Bend Park Launches First-Ever October Halloween Event
For the first time in its history, Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky is extending its operating season into October with a brand-new Halloween-themed event. The park has transformed its grounds with festive attractions, fall decorations, and a selection of family activities designed to offer unique experiences throughout the month.
Park Transformation with Fall Decor
General Manager Charlotte Gonzalez shared that this inaugural October event required an extensive revamp of the park. “This is our very first October event ever, so we are so excited,” Gonzalez said. Decorations throughout the park include 400 illuminated pumpkins, more than 300 skeletons, mums, straw bales, and cornstalks.
The transition from the summer season to this special event was a significant undertaking. “It was a gigantic project for us,” Gonzalez remarked, noting that the team had just four days to complete the transformation. “Our team, we worked a lot of hours, a lot of blood, sweat and tears, as they say, in that week to get everything ready for an opening.”
Halloween Activities for All Ages
During this halloween event, Beech Bend’s rides remain open for visitors. The park features a variety of activities tailored for children and families. "Booville," an area designed for younger guests, offers pumpkin painting, face painting, glitter tattoos, pumpkin bowling, games, and a bonfire for wiener roasting and s’mores.
Additional attractions include a trick-or-treat trail, magic shows, and other scheduled entertainment. On Friday and Saturday nights, the park features a haunted trail experience with various scares and scenes. To improve the experience, a boarding pass system is used to provide guests with scheduled entry times, reducing wait times for visitors.
Daytime on Saturdays and Sundays includes a family-friendly hayride. The route travels behind the campground and offers views of the Barren River, providing a festive way for families to enjoy the fall scenery.
The Inspiration Behind the October Event
According to Gonzalez, the idea for a seasonal Halloween event had been considered for years. “A lot of parks do different things during Halloween,” she said. “So we decided to put our toe in the water this year and tried doing a Halloween event.” The reception has been positive thus far, with one family reportedly taking the haunted trail three times during the opening weekend.
Focus on Family Memories
For Gonzalez, the heart of the event is about creating cherished family memories. Having grown up visiting Beech Bend and later bringing her own children, she emphasized the importance of spending time together without screens. “We, as families need to laugh together, cry together sometimes, but the laughing moments and the memories you make when you’re out doing things together... it’s priceless,” she said.
Event Hours and Admission
Beech Bend’s Halloween event runs through October 31. Hours are Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturdays from 12:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 6:00 p.m. Admission includes access to most rides, and tickets are available online or at the park gate.
Source: wnky.com.
