UPDATED: Your Guide to Celebrating Halloween, Fall in Richfield

The leaves are falling, the air is growing cooler and Richfield kids are picking their Halloween costumes with care.

Yes. Fall is in force and that means Halloween is also creeping up on us. (No pun intended.)

Here are few things you can put on your calendar:

Wood Lake Nature Center's Half-Haunted Halloween

When: Saturday, Oct. 20 from 3-7 p.m.

Where: Wood Lake Nature Center

Why go? This family friend and non-scary Halloween event is full of activities, including an interactive trick-or-treat trail, a magic show, dance, games, face painting, hot cocoa and cookies.

Cost: $4 in advance and $5 at the door; free for Friends of Wood Lake members.

Special Notes: Space is limited. To ensure your spot, purchase tickets at Wood Lake Nature Center in advance. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door until 6 p.m.

Pumpkin Patch

Where: Veterans Memorial Park

When: from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until Oct. 28.

Why go? From picking out the perfect pumpkin to hayrides for the kids, this event offers a little something for everyone.

Cost: $10 per 20 activity tickets. All games, rides and inflatables are two tickets each.

Special Notes: Schools and groups can make arrangements for a trip to the grounds during the week. Call 612-861-9348 for more information.

Southtown's Halloween Boo Bash

Where: Southtown Center, Penn Avenue and Interstate 494

When: Saturday, Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Why go? Just over I-494 in Bloomington, this family-friendly event will see character appearances from some favorite Halloween characters. Kids can pick a pumpkin from Southtown’s Pumpkin Patch (one free pumpkin per child while supplies last).  They can also enjoy trick or treating, art activities (by Bloomington Theatre and Art Center), spooky tattoos, games, prizes and balloon animals.

Special Notes: The event will take place indoors, across from Schuler Shoes.

Richfield Community Center's Fall Boutique

Where: Richfield Community Center

When: Saturday, Oct. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Why go? Shop two floors of hand-crafted items with 25-cent raffles every half hour,arts and crafts projects for young people and an opportunity to win the “Country Roads” handmade quilt. Tasty Sloppy Joes and other refreshments are also featured.

Cost: Free admission.

Special Notes: For crafters, three-foot tables were still available as of Sept. 21. For more information call Cheryl at 612-861-9363. The cost of one table is $17, with a limit of two tables.

Find a Corn Maze Near Richfield

Richfield doesn't exactly have a load of open fields at our disposal. However, if you're looking for a corn maze to visit during the Halloween season, we have a great list of options within an hour of town.

See our "Where to Find a Corn Maze in the West Metro Area" article for more information.

Find a Halloween Haunted House Near Richfield

See our "Halloween Haunted Houses Near Richfield" article for locations.

Halloween Costume Shopping

Arc's Value Village's Halloween Bootique:

Halloween Express: former Border's store, 800 W. 78th St.

Target: 6445 Richfield Pkwy. in the Cedar Point Commons development.

Party City: 7989 1/2 Southtown Ctr. in Bloomington at Southtown Center.

Is there another local event or shopping location the community should know about? Add the information in the comments section below.

Patch's Best Halloween Costume in America Contest

Do you think you have the best costume planned for this Halloween? Upload a photo of yourself to our contest page and you could win the grand prize of $5,000. Enter here.

You can also add it to the Richfield Patch community calendar.