It's Halloween again - the one time it's excusable for NEPA folk to dress and act deranged.

It's also the one time of year where there's no shortage of cool things to do around here ... like going on 40-minute hay rides to look at pumpkins. You know, because pumpkins are so awesome and everything.

But there are some new updates to the local fright scene. Some innovative new scariness has popped up to compliment the smattering of classic haunts that have become NEPA tradition.

We the staff of e.c. went out and scouted some of the more hyped productions and we weren't disappointed. Here's a sampling of some of our favorites along with other notables that have been recommended by our readers.

STAFF PICKS

Jamie Callen

The Haunt on Sean Drive, Clarks Summit

By now you've all heard or read about the infamous Haunt on Sean Drive. I mean come on, I walk out of my house and there's a damn UFO flying over my neighborhood! But man, it's so cool. Actually, at first sight it's the freakiest thing ever, all kidding aside. When you first come across it, not realizing that it's a Halloween prop, you think, "What in the name of high-school football?!"

And the best part? Let's just say there's a lot more to experience than the UFO.

And up until Wednesday, Oct. 30, you can see for yourself. Don't worry, Oct. 31 is a different story all together. The Poltergeist-like faces in all the windows certainly are pretty freaky but not comparable to what's going on outside. You have the Cryptkeeper's skeleton, which seems to be keeping to itself but enjoys talking and scaring the Hell out of people. It's great.

When you clean yourself up from that, you have just enough time to catch your breath before you witness good ol' Mary the Ghost. Then there's the Demon's Lair and the Executioner's Gallows.

However, up until Halloween, you cannot go inside the house. That night is saved for the night the devil's dance and candy is given out.

What happens on Halloween? Well, a lot more really. Aside from the fact that there's free food and cauldrons full of candy, the night kicks off at 6 p.m. From 6 to 7:30 PM bring out the kids for the stage and yard show. They're gonna get free candy and prizes and get scared alongside their parents.

At the same time, that's right, the same time, Dr. Bush's 3-D Holigricator creeks open along with the Main House. What happens in here is for you to find out, however, there is definitely more candy. At this point the kids will still be able to enjoy it without projecting shrills louder than any ghosts in the house.

Here's where the intensity level gets raised, heads get chopped and blood gets spilled. From 7:30 to 10 p.m., the Demon and his Harley of Fire will ride through, only to be followed by the Executioner with his axes, knives and whatever else he can find to cut your head off. Not to mention the Headless Horseman could ride through whenever and where ever he would like.

Knowing all of this you can go check it out for yourself through Halloween night. Admission is free and for whatever else you want to know, check out www.seandrive.com or call 586-0548.

Alicia Grega-Pikul

Spooktacular Halloween Magic Show

Houdini Museum, 1433 N. Main Ave. Scranton.

Fascinated by the flamboyantly festive North Scranton building that rests on the path of our daily commute, my 4 and 7-year-old daughters screamed with delight when I announced I was taking them to the museum's Halloween-themed magic show.

If you show up early - about fifteen minutes prior to "curtain" - you'll be treated to a little pre-show tricking. Costume clad characters, who turn out to be the stars of the Spooktacular, burst out periodically to tease the audience. Frances (the 4-year-old) was frightened by one black-cloaked character with blood pumping down its skull face until I explained the trick - red water recycling through some sort of fountain. By the time the monster returned with candy, she was more than happy to stick her sugar-loving hands in the bowl.

The museum's usual Houdini exhibitions have been relocated to accommodate a room stocked with more singing, shaking, blinking, dancing and glowing interactive Halloween decorations than your most obnoxiously over-enthusiastic holiday decorating neighbor has ever dreamed. Fog machines pump moody atmosphere into the black lit and disco ball specked space. And there's more than enough candy enough for even the greediest sweet-tooth.

"It's funky!" my 7-year-old, Miranda, whispered with excitement before the show even began. While televisions sets above the proscenium played old black and white versions of Frankenstein and Dracula, a uniquely funky late 70s disco meets early 80s new wave instrumental (what CHiPs porno tunes might sound like) soundtrack looped on the sound system. After the "twirps," as Mortimer playfully called them, were ushered to rug seating in the front, the sexy vampiress Dorothina (a.k.a internationally known magician Dorothy Deitrich) took the stage and made a balloon boogie before our very eyes.

The spectacle continued with Dorothina being cut in three sections and an electric chair that pumped current through her body and lit hand-held fluorescent tube lights. Volunteers are regularly called up from the audience to participate in the production. A personal highlight was the horrified look on Francie's face when she "broke" one extremely valuable Houdini-built prop after another, and after swearing on her underwear to be careful. Miranda was thrilled to be chosen as the Floating Princess levitated by Dorothina. Warning: bring a camera, because Miranda is really pissed that I didn't get a picture of her floating in mid air - she was asked to close her eyes and didn't even know what had happened until I told her afterward.

The presentation is as much a comedy routine as it is a magic show. Puns run rampant - the magic words aren't "abracadabra" but "haveacadaver." It often seems like they're making it all up as they go along, but then the trick is successfully executed and you realize they must have been doing this routine for years.

The last half-hour of the two hour show features Mortimer as Bravo the Great, Wizard of the Northeast demonstrating several tricks, all conveniently for sale in the museum gift shop. Sales from the gift shop go to a worthy cause, he joked, "Keeping us open." The Halloween show has little else to do with the great escape artist Harry Houdini (except that he died on Halloween), but it's every bit as kitschy as The Magic Club of Desperately Seeking Susan and we're lucky to have it in Scranton.

Shows will be presented daily though October 31 at 6 p.m. on weekdays or at 1 p.m, 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $8.95 for children and $9.95 for adults. Most shows sell out so reservations are strongly recommended. Call 342-5555.

For a Houdini-inspired experience of a more spine-tingling time, check out the Threshold Spirit Theatre's The Final Houdini Seance. This painstakingly authentic recreation of a Victorian-era seance is limited to approximately sixteen participants and for its intimacy alone is worth the somewhat pricey ticket. After being escorted by candle light to the historic second floor library of Scranton's Masonic Temple, Damian the Magician and his Butler pass on interesting historical information about Houdini and thrill the guests with psychic demonstrations.

The evening climaxes with Damian, now playing the role of medium, leading the guests in an effort to summon Houdini forth from the after-life. The Final Houdini Seance is a chilling, thrilling evening that you're not likely to forget in this lifetime. The production has been running consistently for over a year - that detail alone should clue you in as to its worthiness.

Call the Scranton Cultural Center box office at 344-1111 for availability and times. October 24-31, November 12, 19, December 5, 19.

Gene Padden

The Haunted Woods

The Woodlands Inn & Resorts, Plains Twp.

The Woodlands has thrown its hat into NEPA's fright club, offering "The Haunted Woods." If you plan on checking it out, don't actually drive into the Woodlands parking lot. Although the Woods are located near the stream that runs behind the resort, the actual entrance to the attraction is on your way to the Crosscreek Point Office Complex off of Rt. 315 (the flashing marquee that reads "Haunted Woods this way" should help you out.

I checked out this place because Mitch Kornfeld was excited about it, and I know by now that Mitch and his crew don't do anything half-assed. And, from what I'm told, the place is an actual burial ground, so something has to rock.

Even for a first-year venture, the Woodlands has outdone itself, and no more is that more apparent than the start of your journey, where a guide explains "this is a burial ground, and if you look at anything for longer than three seconds, it will come home with you."

So we head off on the stone path (because as our guide explained, the stone is your friend) and it's a dark path, so you're a sitting duck to get the crap scared out of you by ghouls, goblins, and whackos toting leaf blowers. As you get closer to the stream, the sound of water on rocks makes your nerves stand on end. Once streamside, we stalk through a misty graveyard and enter the mausoleum. We were promptly mauled by a statue, and we must have looked pretty dazed because the statue then politely said "go this way" and so we did.

The mausoleum was hard core as far as close-quarters scariness goes. More times than not, your attention becomes focused on what you think might scare you, and so you're completely caught off guard by caged mutants and mummies. There's an art to this, and The Woodlands obviously did its homework.

With the mausoleum behind you, you think you're home free, but you're so not. But once you are, your walk back to the parking lot is quite a hike. It's not devastating or anything, but I wouldn't recommend bringing your grandparents.

The Haunted Woods tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for kids and you can get $2 off with a McDonald's coupon. That price gets you exactly what you'd expect from The Woodlands: attention to detail and some unique spins on scariness. If you're growing tired of visiting the same haunted this and haunted that every year, then this new venture at The Woodlands is worth a try. Call 824-9831 for more information.

Wendy Maopolski

Dracula's Forest

2828 Rock Drive

Ransom Township

Okay, I'll admit it - I'm a creature of habit. Year after year, I find myself careening up Snake Road, following the red and white signs to Dracula's Forest when All Hallow's Eve approaches. But year after year, I'm never disappointed as I head off into the dark woods atop a packed hayride, shrieking and whooping it up with like-minded Halloween aficionados.

And this year, once again, Dracula's Forest rises to the proverbial occasion, offering thrills and chills around every turn.

As the tractor chugs into the forest, it takes a while before your eyes adjust to the dark. In the meantime, fellow patrons aboard the haunted hayride exchange pleasantries and idle chit-chat as you all head into the woods.

But once you're surrounded by the ominous forest, the real fun begins.

For starters, you pass through the Witches Woods while being attacked on all sides by some rather funky demons of the night. Chain-saw-carrying psychos also abound, as do werewolves, goblins and even an out-of-control Mac truck. Then, you pass through a creepy cemetery, a mad scientist's lab, and the piece de resistance - THE TUNNEL OF TERROR!

But wait, there's more ...

New this year is the Shock Walk, an indoor haunted house featuring animatronic figures that are sure to amaze. The half-eaten woman suspended in mid-air is especially grotesque, so try not to eat before entering (I made the mistake of snarfing down an enormous candy apple. Definitely not smart).

All in all, Dracula's Forest is a kick of a good time. It's open daily, except for Mondays and Tuesdays, with tickets prices set at $10 for adults, $4 for children under 12. Shock Walk admission is $6. On days of inclement weather, you're advised to call Uncle Walter at 587-2323. All rides start at dusk but try to get there as early as you can. Otherwise, you'll languish in a line even scarier than the hayride itself.

A Boo-tiful Mind

Check out these popular local haunts

19th Season of Horror Hall, Fri-Sat, 6-11 p.m., Su: 6-10 p.m., $10. The scariest part of Nanticoke! This year, the place gets a facelift so it's better than ever! Proceeds benefit The Tilbury Volunteer Fire Company. Closed Halloween. Tilbury Volunteer Fire Co., West Nanticoke. For more information call 735-7899.

Lehman's Haunted Barn, Oct. 24-27 and 29-31. 7-10 p.m. weekdays and Sundays, 7-11 p.m. Fri-Sat. $7. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this NEPA powerhouse. Check out www.hauntedbarn.org or call 674-5420.

Gravestone Manor, Through Oct. 26, Fri-Sat, 7-11 p.m., $6. As if Wilkes-Barre's Public Square wasn't scary enough, we welcome Gravestone Manor, a staged alternative to typical spooks and gore. Proceeds benefit the United Way. The Manor is in the CTSI building on Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. For info call 821-6500.

Trail of Terror, Oct. 25, 26, 7 to 10:30 p.m., $6. Presented by St. Stanislaus U.Y.A. Walking candle lit trail with ghouls and spooks and scares haunting in the forest. Y.M.S. of R Park, Kane St., Scranton.

Second annual Hollenback Cemetery Tour, Oct. 25, 6 p.m.; Oct. 26 10 a.m., 1 and 3:30 p.m.; Oct. 27, 1 and 3:30 p.m. Reservations are required by calling 823-6244. The Luzerne County Historical Society offers guided, candle lit tours of the Hollenback Cemetary. Check out www.luzerncountyhistory.com for more information.

Project: Nightmare, Oct. 25-27, 6 p.m., $20. An audience participation horror-murder-mystery by Billy Joe Herbert. Presented by the Music Box Players. Music Box Dinner Theatre, Swoyersville. For more information call 283-2195 or 1-800-698-PLAY.

Sixth annual Things That Go Boom in the Night, Oct. 29, 7 p.m., Free. Stop by King's College for a chemistry experiment even scarier than Samuel Jackson's Formula 51. King's professor Robert LaDuca (Dr. Boom LaSpooka) and the King's Chemistry Club (his henchmen) will present an exhibition in the Burke Auditorium in the McGowan School of Business to include explosions, slime, freezing and anything else you may have seen in your favorite horror flick. For more information, call Dr. Robert LaDuca at 208-5900 x5733, or e-mail rlladuca@kings.edu.

Haunted Halloween Forest, Oct. 25-27, runs from 7 p.m. "until they run out of victims." At the Newfoundland Fire Co. Picnic Grove. Info: 676-3573 or www.thehauntedforest.com.

All AGES (but mostly younger)

Dr. Frankenstein's Spooky Ghost Lab, Oct. 25, 7 p.m. in Clarks Summit; Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m. in Kingston. $5. This spooky (but not too scary) theatrical Halloween presentation will include scenes from Sleepy Hollow and a monster dating game. Audience is part of the show! Call 288-9697 or 586-9595 for more information. Reservations are requested.

Haunted Trolley, Oct. 26-27, shows at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Experience Halloween via trolley as actors take you to a land of make believe to experience the magic of Halloween. Electric City Trolley Museum, 300 Cliff St., Scranton. Go to www.ectma.org or call 963-6590 for more info.

Halloween Hoopla: A Halloween Revue, Oct. 24- 30, $2 adults, $1 children, W-Th: 7 p.m.; Sa-Su: 1, 3 p.m.; M, T-W: 7 p.m.. Presented by Lackawanna County. The show is geared towards children between the ages of 3 and 12. The show will feature magic, music and juggling and isn't frightening towards younger children. Seating is limited so call for reservations. Diva Theatre, Scranton. For more information call 1-800-22WELCOME.

Halloween Party, Oct. 26, 12-2 p.m.. Children age 10 and under are welcome. A Haunted Basement will be held at the Center as well, Oct. 26, 7-9 p.m.. Newton Rec. Center, Clarks Summit. For more information call 586-7808.

Pumpkinland, Oct. 26-27, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring hay rides, an obstacle course, corn maze, pumpkins, and a haunted barn. Dundee Gardens, Sans Souci Hwy between Hanover and Nanticoke. For more info call 735-5452.

Come if you dare. Special guest Mary C. Baker. Join us for a bone-rattling, spine-chilling Halloween event featuring scary stories and songs with guitar accompaniment. Lackawanna County Children's Library. For more information call 348-3000 x3015.

Calling all Halloween Spooks, Oct. 27, 2:30 p.m., free but limited registration. For ages 6-9. Special guest Mary C. Baker. Join us for a bone-rattling, spine-chilling Halloween event featuring scary stories and songs with guitar accompaniment. Lackawanna County Children's Library. For more information call 348-3000 x3015.

Annual Dunmore Haunted House, Oct. 27, 7 p.m.. Presented by the combined youth groups of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel, St. Casimir and All Saints of Dunmore. 322 Chestnut St., Dunmore. For more information 347-9100.

Shadowbrook Pumpkin & Scarecrow Contest, Oct. 26. Info: 800-955-0295.

HAY RIDES (Haunted and friendly)

D & L Scare Ride, Fri-Sun including Oct. 30-31, 7 p.m. $9 adults, $7 children. Ticket for the old school hay ride is $3. Free parking and group rates for 12 or more. D & L Scare Ride (on Lake Henry Rd) features 85 acres of haunted forest. Call 698.6406 for more info.

Dark Hollow Haunted Hay Ride, Fri-Sun through Oct., 7-11 p.m. The Dark Hollow Hay Ride is off of Rt. 93 at Larock's Grove, Sugarloaf.

Rice Twp. Haunted House and Hay Ride, Oct. 25, 6-11 p.m.; Oct. 26, 4-11 p.m. $3 for Haunted House, $3 for 30-40 min. Hay Ride (friendly). At the Rice Twp Volunteer Fire Dept., Nuangola Rd., Mountaintop.

Doran's Hay Rides, Sat-Sun, 12-5 p.m. $3. Take a hay ride at Doran's Farm, St Mary's Road, across from Liberty Hills in Hanover Twp. Check out the thousands of pumpkins for sale every day from 10 a.m. to dusk. Call 823-4053 for more information.

Third annual Eckley Lantern Tour & Hay Ride, through Oct. 27, Fri-Sat from 6:30 to 10 p.m. and Sun from 6:30 to 9 p.m. $8 adults and $3 children. The tour examines superstitions and supernatural creatures from the past of the coal mining town of Eckley. At Eckley Miners Village, off Rte 940 in Weatherly. For more info call 636-2070.

Pumpkin Land, Oct. 25-27, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by Dundee Gardens on the Sans Souci Hwy for a haunted barn, hay rides, pony rides, and great food. For more info call 735-5452.

Pumpkin Hay Rides, Oct. 26-27, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. With apples, cider, gourds, and Indian corn. At White's Farm, 1273 Country Club Rd., Clarks Summit. Info: 587-2659.

Pick-a-Pumpkin Hay Rides, 12-6 p.m. Mountain View Farms, Bald Mt. Rd., Clarks Summit. Info: 586-0017.

PARADES

A Boo-Rific Halloween, Oct. 27, 1-4 p.m.. Presented by the Everhart Museum. Family fun for children of all ages. Come in costume to join the parade. There will be a storyteller and the Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center Drama Club will present excerpts from the Wizard of Oz. There will also be games and prizes. Sponsored by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. For more information call 346-7186.

7th Annual Halloween Parade Extravaganza, Oct. 26, pre-registration 10:30 a.m. Presented by the Jacob Stroud Corp. The parade will begin on Main Ave. at noon and will be followed by a costume awards presentation in Courthouse Square. For more information call 424-9131.

Howl-o-Ween Parade, Oct. 26, registration 11 a.m., $5 per pet. The parade will begin at noon. First Place winners will receive a year supply of cat or dog food. Dress your pet in animal-friendly costumes and join the fun to help homeless or abused animals. Prizes and refreshments. Humane Society of Lackawanna County, Clarks Summit. For more information call 585-0516.

NIGHT LIFE

Voodoo Lounge Halloween Bash, Oct. 31. Drink specials, giveaways and prizes for best costumes. Music by Octane. Main Street Luzerne. For more info call 331-4662 or visit www.thevoodoolounge.net.

Bryn Mawr Restaurant Halloween Party, Oct. 25. Cash, costume prizes, and drink specials. 1344 Bryn Mawr St., Scranton. For info call 342-9095.

Annual Tink's Costume Contest, Oct. 31. $500 goes to the night's best costume. Music by The Underground. Check out www.clubtinks.com for more info.

Annual Woodlands Halloween Night, Oct. 31. Huge Halloween bash and costume contest with three levels of cash and prizes. Club X Haunted Blackout Party. Music by Trylogy. Info: 824-9831.

Metro Lounge Halloween Bash, Oct. 31, with the scary sounds of Might Fine Wine. Prizes and giveaways for best costume. Is Fud eligible? Info: 558-6876.

St. Anthony's Masquerade Dance, Oct. 27, 5-9 p.m. $10. King Henry and the Showmen rock the St. Anthony's Center on Memorial St., Exeter. Call 693-1262 for more information.

Fourth annual Masked Ball, Oct. 25, sponsored by the Monroe County Arts Council. At the Stroudsmoor Country Inn, Stroudsburg. Info: 476.4460.

MAZES

Miller's Orchard, Through Oct. 27, Mon-Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Farm animals, cornfield and sorghum mazes, and pumpkin patch hay rides. 1515 Fairview Rd., Clarks Summit. For more info call 587-3399.

Roba's Tree Farm, through Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Off Decker Road in Dalton, Roba's features a four-acre cornfield maze, petting zoo, and pumpkins. Call 563-2904 or click www.robastreefarm.com for more info.