GRAY — By the light of the rising full harvest moon, the Maine Wildlife Park’s ever growing and very popular annual Halloween-Fest will run from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18 and 19.

Adults and kids alike wear their costumes to get into the spooky spirit of Halloween, while enjoying a crisp fall evening with the park’s wildlife. Staff and volunteers will stop at nothing to give attendees new scares and fun.

Back for the third year, bigger and more elaborate, is the Haunted Woodchuck Tunnel for the smaller kids to wriggle through. Parents are able to watch their kids go through at all times. It’s not too scary, but a fun activity for those children who are too young to be really scared on the Haunted Hay Rides. This year there will be all newly routed rides that are bigger, longer and scarier, with three wagons running simultaneously every five minutes from 6 to 9 p.m.

Wander throughout the park by the light of dozens of jack-o’-lanterns, listen to scary campfire stories around the all-new campfire, try some Halloween-themed games and activities like the marshmallow shooting gallery, ring around the moose/deer/caribou antler game, or scavenger hunt for the Great Spumkin. Join the costume contests for all ages, with huge prizes and gift certificates from many Maine businesses. Have your face painted for free, and enjoy cider and doughnuts at the Snack Shack.

It is strongly suggested that visitors bring their own flashlights with batteries fully charged. The park will provide red cellophane to cover the flashlight beams, which will help improve night vision.

The regular admission fee will be charged for these special Halloween events. There is plenty of free parking.

If it is raining hard on Friday, the event will be postponed to Saturday only; call the automated voice mail at 657-4977 for up-to-date information each day. The Nature Store and Snack Shack will be open.

For more information, call 207-657-4977 or visit www.mainewildlifepark.com, www.mefishwildlife.com or on Facebook.