The vibrant colors of the leaves, the crisp blue sky, sweater-weather, pumpkins on the vine, and pumpkin spice everything...these are all signs that autumn is here. There’s no better way to celebrate than with a Halloween or autumn event. 

Centrally located Murray City has more than its fair share of events for residents and others to enjoy during this season. With events running every day of October, there’s always something spooky or festive to do. Here’s some ideas: 

 Wheeler Farm

Wheeler Historic Farm is a working farm and public park with 75 acres of natural landscape, park and wooded trails. A historic (possibly haunted) 125-year-old farm house is the most notable building, but there is also an activity barn, stables and farm animals, gardens, an old-fashioned shop and a playground fort available every day during daylight hours all year long.

“But October is our busiest month of the year, bustling with guests enjoying our hay maze and playland, picking the perfect pumpkin, taking a wagon ride, or simply enjoying the fall weather,” Sophie Hoesch, program coordinator at Wheeler Farm, said.

Here’s a listing of autumn activities at Historic Wheeler Farm:

Pumpkin Days Hay Maze and Play Area – Events run all of October. Hay maze, corn pit, duck races, pedal tractor, wagon or cow train ride. Also, a storybook walk along a decorated path, in collaboration with the county libraries. Variable pricing, but adult pricing for all activities is $12.

• Mon.-Thurs. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and special hours for fall break

• Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Sun.- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pumpkin Bootique – Unique gifts for purchase. Oct. 11, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free to attend.

Pumpkin Patch – Events run all October. Free except for the pumpkins, priced based on size.  

• Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Sun.- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Food Truck Fridays - All October evenings in conjunction with Pumpkin Days events.

Murray Parks & Rec

Murray Parks & Recreation has been innovating with new offerings intended to get the whole family out to enjoy the park, the weather and each other. Not just this season, but all year long.

“We have new coordinators who are phenomenal, and they are brainstorming, coming up with innovative programming intended to get the public together in ways that aren’t just sports based,” Soni Hirasuna, recreation director at Murray Parks & Rec, said. “We are trying to reach all parts of the community, not just athletes, and not just youth.”

In a prior interview with the Murray Journal, Hirasuna shed light on the changing landscape of youth sports participation. With a shift toward specialization in one sport and increased interest in individual activities like video games, the Murray Park Center has responded by expanding its year-round offerings, including during the festive autumn season. 

“There are a bunch of new activities we started in just the last two years, but of course, we also have a few of the classic favorites. The pumpkin race has been around for over a decade and people love it. We have regulars, rival teams from the high school or teams representing the police or fire, and new participants every year,” Hirasuna said. “And tons of people come just to watch.”

In the pumpkin race, participants carve and hollow-out pumpkins, they decorate and attach wheels, then race them down the hill in front of the Murray ice sheet. There are several categories of races, and in each, the first one to the bottom wins. 

“People really get into it. We have some engineers who try to figure out the perfect placement of the wheels and just the right shape of pumpkin. Some elaborately decorate their racer,” Hirasuna said. “Kids often dress up to match their pumpkin.”

Participation in most activities through Murray Parks & Rec requires advance online registration and many events fill to capacity, so register early. A listing of events by date can be seen below.

Also, pumpkin racers should come to the park with their pumpkin ready for racing. Instructions on how to build the racer and registration links for all events can be found at:  https://mcreg.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs 

• Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. – adult volleyball costumed coed and men’s tournaments with candy prizes awarded.

• Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. – Halloween Howl costumed 3K and 5K with/without a dog. There will be prizes for best costume and for placing in the race. $5 (no dog), $10 (dog and Murray resident), $13 (non-resident).

• Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. – Halloween themed jigsaw puzzle competition. Prizes for winners and team takes home the puzzle. $22/team of maximum four adults. 

• Oct. 18 at 5:30 p.m. – Pumpkin Race and Pumpkin Plummet (spotlighted above) on the hill west of the rec center. There will be a carved pumpkin derby race and afterward Murray Fire will drop pumpkins and piñatas (not at the same time) from a sky-high bucket truck. 

• Oct. 19 at 8 a.m. - Pumpkin Plunge. Kids explore a floating pumpkin patch in the rec center pool, then swim to their favorite pumpkin (depending on swimming ability). Every participant gets a pumpkin. Afterward, stay to swim and enjoy carnival games. $4 (resident), $6 (non-resident). 

• Oct. 24 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Trunk or Treat in the parking lot outside the rec center there will be a costume contest, games, face painting and candy. $2 (resident), $3 (non-resident).

Exchange Club’s Haunted Woods

It’s the 50-year anniversary for the Haunted Woods, hosted by the Salt Lake City-area Exchange Clubs. Held annually in Murray Park, north of the rec center, guests tromp through the eerily decorated “haunted woods” within the park. Thrill seekers can choose between the not-so-scary Silly Trail (from 5 to 7 p.m.) or the more intense Spooky Trail (from 7 to 9 p.m.).

The event is staffed by boys and girls from high school clubs across the valley, who fill the woods with chills and thrills. “This has been a tradition in Utah for 50 years, and guests love that they can share something from their childhood with their own children,” Sheri Van Bibber of the Murray Exchange Club said. “It’s a fabulous, family-friendly event.”

This year the Haunted Woods received a grant from Parents Empowered Utah, which is allowing them to “amp up the decorations and design details in the woods to new levels,” and, as in past years, proceeds go toward the fight against child abuse and domestic abuse in Utah. 

Oct. 21 to 23 – Haunted Woods in Murray Park – $5 (kids 3 and under are free). Each ticket includes a doughnut and hot cocoa.

For more information and to buy tickets:

www.ticketleap.events/tickets/hauntedwoods/the-haunted-woods-2024#.