🎃 Haunted Grounds at McDonald Farm – Four Nights of Halloween Attractions, Food & Fall Fun in McDonald

As autumn settles over the Sequatchie Valley, McDonald Farm is transforming into a destination for regional Halloween seekers. Haunted Grounds at McDonald Farm brings together the area’s appetite for seasonal celebration with immersive attractions and community gathering-drawing families and thrill-seekers from across the valley and beyond for a four-day event that blends harvest traditions with theatrical scares.

🎭 Haunted Grounds at McDonald Farm opens its gates for four nights beginning Wednesday, October 28, and running through Saturday, October 31 (Halloween). The historic farm will operate from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Wednesday and Thursday, and from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday. This immersive Halloween experience combines haunted attractions, live performances, food vendors, seasonal shopping, and photo opportunities-all designed to create what organizers call “a Halloween experience unlike anything else in the area.” 🌙

✨ What to Expect: Attractions & Encounters

The event features multiple themed attractions spread across the farm. Guests can navigate the Blackout Maze, where complete darkness forces visitors to rely on instinct and touch. The Haunted Horse Barn offers a spine-tingling walkthrough with live actors and unexpected scares, while the Nosferatu Harvest Barn pays tribute to classic gothic horror with atmospheric décor and a towering animatronic. 👻

The Spider Pavilion invites brave visitors to observe live spiders up close, learn about the creatures, and-if courage permits-sit among them for a memorable photo. Food trucks are stationed nearby so guests can refuel while experiencing the spooky atmosphere. The Scare Witch Project features live theatrical performances where witches perform incantations, stir bubbling brews, and tell ancient legends around a glowing fire pit. 🔥

For those curious about the paranormal, T & M Investigations will showcase authentic ghost-hunting equipment, conduct live demonstrations, and share real stories from investigations at reportedly haunted locations. A Pumpkin Patch offers seasonal photo opportunities and ready-to-purchase pumpkins and gourds. Roaming characters appear throughout the grounds for unexpected encounters and photo ops. 🎃

🧙 Costume Contest & Trunk or Treat

Costumes are not just welcome-they’re encouraged. Haunted Grounds will award prizes for the best costumes on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 5:30 PM. Contestants should meet at the Nosferatu animatronic next to the Nosferatu Harvest Barn. First place wins three free admission tickets, second place receives two, and third place earns one. 🏆

On Friday, October 30, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the farm hosts a family-friendly Trunk or Treat in the open field beside the historic McDonald Farm home. Children in Halloween costumes can stroll from decorated vehicle to vehicle collecting candy and treats. Community members and vendors interested in decorating a vehicle and participating should email vendors@shopthemarketat.com. Trunk or Treat admission is separate from Haunted Grounds tickets, though visitors can purchase Haunted Grounds admission afterward to continue the evening. 🚗

🍔 Food, Vendors & Fall Flavors

Multiple food trucks, beverage trucks, and specialty vendors will serve throughout the event. Offerings include warm apple cider, caramel-dipped apples, pumpkin-inspired treats, specialty coffee creations, and savory favorites. Halloween-themed vendors will sell spooky, gothic, and fall-inspired merchandise. 🍎

🎟️ Admission & Add-On Experiences

General Haunted Grounds Admission: Ages 9 and up are $20 per person; ages 8 and under are $7 per person. Admission includes access to the main event and included attractions. Additional paid experiences include an All-Day Inflatable Wristband ($10 per person) for Jump, Dunk & Slide inflatables, and tarot readings (pricing varies by reader and reading type). 💳

🗓️ When & 📍 Where

Dates & Times:

• Wednesday, October 28: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Thursday, October 29: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Friday, October 30: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Saturday, October 31 (Halloween): 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Location: McDonald Farm, McDonald, Tennessee. 📍

✨ Why You’ll Want to Be There

Haunted Grounds blends theatrical scares with seasonal traditions-whether you’re drawn to haunted attractions, live performances, family-friendly activities like Trunk or Treat, or simply the fall atmosphere and food. The event welcomes all ages and comfort levels, from young children at the afternoon Trunk or Treat to thrill-seekers exploring the darker attractions after sunset. Costume contests offer a chance to win free admission, and the variety of vendors and food options means there’s something for everyone. 🌟

Mark your calendar for four unforgettable nights at Haunted Grounds at McDonald Farm. Bring your family, dress in your best costume, and prepare for a Halloween experience that blends harvest traditions, theatrical encounters, and community celebration. Whether you come for the scares, the food, the fall fun, or the mystery, this is an event worth the trip. 🎃✨