Haunted Hay Rides, Fall Festivals and the Taste of Howard County: Weekend Events

A list of local events happening in Howard County on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. For a list of local ongoing Halloween events happening in the county, click here.

Saturday

3-Mile Haunted Hay Ride

The Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum (12985 Maryland 144, West Friendship) has set up a 40-minute hayride through the grounds of the museum that features costumed actors, old farm buildings and more. Rides begin at 7 p.m. and the last hayride leaves at 9:45 p.m. The cost is $15 per person and proceeds benefit the museum.

Fall Hobby and Craft Fair

Over 30 local artists and craftsmen will be selling their wares at the Columbia Gym in Clarksville (6151 Daylong Lane) from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Admission is free.

Town Center's 40th Birthday Celebration

Columbia's Town Center community will celebrate its 40th anniversary from noon to 3 p.m. at Historic Oakland Manor (5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia). Admission is free.

Maple Lawn Open House and BBQ

Buzzuto homes welcomes community members to a BBQ featuring chicken, burgers, Italian sausage, hot dogs and chili cheese fries as well as the opportunity to view one of their new Maple Lawn model homes. The event at 8115 Maple Lawn Blvd., Fulton will run from noon to 4 p.m. and include hard hat tours of the new homes.

Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department 125th Anniversary Parade

The ECVFD invites residents to Ellicott City's historic Main Street from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday for a parade featuring marching bands, fire trucks, stilt walkers and more. 

Rockburn Haunted Experience

The 21st annual Rockburn Haunted experience spooks riders with a haunted hay ride and spine-tingling ghostly dwelling deep in the woods. Hayrides begin at 6:30 p.m. and run until 10 p.m. on Saturday, the cost is $10 per person and the event is for ages 7 & up. The ride starts at Rockburn Branch Park West (6145 Montgomery Road, Elkridge).

Introduction to Geocaching

The Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum (300 Oella Avenue, Ellicott City) will host a geocaching event starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The event uses GPS technology to locate caches buried in the ground throughout the park. The cost is $3 per person and you can register by calling 410-887-1081.

Fall Fest - Grace Episcopal Church

The family-friendly Fall Fest at Grace Episcopal in Elkridge (6725 Montgomery Road) will include pumpkin roll races, a costume parade, "trunk or treating", hayrides, face painting and a bonfire starting on Saturday at 4 p.m. and running until 8 p.m. Admission is free.

St. Peter's Fall Festival

St. Peter's preschool (3695 Rogers Avenue, Ellicott City) hosts a fall festival featuring pony rides, moon bounces, face painting, balloon artists and carnival rides starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The event is free.

Mocha Moms Autumn Meet & Greet

Mocha moms, a support group for women of color, will hold a meet and greet at 3 p.m. on Saturday in Ellicott City to mingle with other local moms, enjoy snacks, and play some ice breaker games. Email and RSVP to hocomochas@gmail.com for the address.

Sunday

Taste of Howard County

This event brings together 25 of the county's finest restaurants to showcase international dishes from their chefs. Tickets are $100 at the door and all proceeds benefit Gilchrist Hospice Care. The event begins at 5 p.m. at Turf Valley (2700 Turf Valley Road, Ellicott City).

Mount Airy 3-Mil Fund Breast Cancer Fundraising Walk

The 3-mile walk to benefit the American Cancer Society starts at 9 a.m. at Watkins Park in Mt. Airy (615 Center Street, Mt. Airy). Last year 900 walkers raised $85,000 for charity.

The Happy Haunted Hayride

Looking for a Halloween event that won't scare the little kids? The Happy Haunted Hayride at Rockburn Branch Park (6145 Montgomery Road) is exactly that. The hayride takes kids ages 2 to 7 around the trails of the park. The event runs from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday and the cost is $5 per person.

Trinity School Fall Festival

Trinity school welcomes local families to a festival of food and activities at their wooded 48 acre campus in Ellicott City. The event begins at 11 a.m. at 4985 Ilchester Road, Ellicott City.