SANDUSKY, Ohio — It's the most wonderful time of the year for thrill seekers, as Cedar Point prepares to bring back HalloWeekends starting Sept. 17.
This year, guests will have even more time to explore the more than 50 events and attractions. The park said it's expanding daytime and nighttime hours.
HalloWeekends will have two distinct theme attractions: Tricks and Treats Fall Fest, which will be held during the day. It'll include activities like a costume contest, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, hay bale and corn stalk mazes, a challenge course, themed midway games, coloring and crafts, mask making and live entertainment.
The second is called Haunt, which comes to life when the sun goes down.
"New this year, Banished takes over the Frontier Trail. In Banished, malevolent beings from the nearby wilderness seek revenge on the townsfolk who betrayed them and sent them far from civilization," park officials wrote in a press release.
There's also a new attraction on Adventure Island called Blood on the Bayou, which will be an outdoor fright zone.
In total, guests will be able to enjoy six outdoor fright zones and five indoor haunted houses throughout the season, all included with park admission.
"Northeast Ohio’s Midnight Syndicate returns to the Jack Aldrich Theatre in Midnight Syndicate: Conspiracy of Shadows. The horror music duo, known for their creepy blend of chilling orchestral music and sound effects, will set the Halloween mood in this journey of music, sight and sound," park officials said. "Also back by popular demand, the serene Glass Blowing Theater is transformed for a special rendition of the Edgar Allan Poe classic, The Tell-Tale Heart. The spine-tingling reading joins more than 10 live shows like: The Fangtastics, Monster Mash-up with The Shrieks Band and Ghouling Pianos."
And for those who are more into the treats rather than the tricks, there's something for them, too. HalloWeekends will host the Tricks and Treats Food Tasting Tour, which includes more than 20 fall-flavored, handmade foods, including maple pepper bacon flatbread, pumpkin bread pudding, cinnamon bread grilled cheese, candy corn cupcakes and more.
"The Night of the Living Fed all-you-can-eat meal returns with a menu offering bucatini pasta, herb-crusted rib roast, apple harvest salad, garlic parmesan duchess potatoes, chicken tenders, pumpkin and pecan pies, corn pie spoonbread and more. The immersive, themed dining experience surrounds guests in haunted décor, sound and light, and a few special guests – the monsters of Cedar Point, known as Screamsters. The Tricks and Treats Food Tasting Tour and Night of the Living Fed meal are available on select days and times. Tasting cards and tickets for each are available for purchase online and at the park," according to officials.
For ticket information on the Tricks and Treats Food Tasting Four and the Night of the Living Fed, click here.
If guests want to amp up their experience, Cedar Point is also offering the new HalloWeekends VIP Experience. It's a special package which gives access to a VIP lounge featuring a private bar, game day snacks, water, craft beer and one-time Fright Lane or Fast Lane Plus vouchers. Guests can purchase the pass with an additional fee.
Halloween costumes, masks and face paint are not permitted for guests age 13 and older.
HalloWeekends will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday up until Oct. 31.