COTTAGE GROVE, MN – April 23, 2026 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
The Haunting Experience offers Fall Fun Fest on select dates during the October season, providing families and visitors of all ages with a daytime alternative to its evening haunted attractions. The family-owned site in Cottage Grove has developed the program to ensure the location remains welcoming to a broad audience, including younger children and those who prefer milder entertainment, while still interacting with elements of the property that include the haunted house in Minnesota.
The Fall Fun Fest runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on designated days and centers on non-scary seasonal activities. Guests can participate in art projects and pumpkin painting, creating crafts in an open, relaxed setting. Free hayrides travel through the grounds without actors or frightening elements, delivering scenic views of the surrounding area. Lights-on tours of the Haunted House let participants examine the detailed sets and props that form the backbone of the nighttime experiences, revealing the construction and design work involved.
A petting area stocked with goats offers additional hands-on interaction for families. On-site concessions provide snacks and refreshments to support full-day visits. These activities create a complete fall outing distinct from the evening schedule.
The daytime programming complements the attraction’s core evening lineup. The Haunted House consists of a walkthrough filled with dark entities and terrors that unfold in dimly lit hallways. The Haunted Hayride, recognized as Minnesota’s longest-running of its kind, carries guests via tractor-pulled wagons through haunted forests and the fictional Wilhelm Steelworks, where maniacs and monsters appear along the trail. The Massacre attraction delivers an intense cornfield experience that includes permitted light physical contact from actors and requires participants to be at least 13 years old.
The dual format stems from the Zywiec Family’s long-term operation of the site since its founding in 1986. What began as a single haunted hayride has developed into a multi-component destination that integrates with the family’s landscape and garden center business. A seasonal team of scare actors, artists, and builders prepares each element, focusing on practical effects and live performances.
Billy Zywiec, Owner of The Haunting Experience, stated: “Fall Fun Fest opens the property to families who want to enjoy the creative atmosphere in a setting suited to all ages while preserving the tradition of our evening attractions.”
Safety guidelines remain uniform across all events. Guests must refrain from running, touching actors during evening shows, or bringing outside items that could disrupt operations. The venue proceeds rain or shine, with covered waiting areas available. Group rates for parties of 20, 50, or 100 people accommodate school groups, corporate outings, and extended family gatherings.
Over nearly four decades, the Fall Fun Fest has contributed to the attraction’s role in local fall traditions. Multiple generations have visited the same grounds for varied experiences, building continuity in regional seasonal entertainment. The program broadens participation without altering the integrity of the main haunted offerings.
Preparations each year include updating scenes and training staff to uphold the balance between entertainment value and operational standards. The inclusion of daytime options demonstrates a consistent focus on inclusive access at the site.
The Haunting Experience is a family-owned and operated haunted attraction in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Established in 1986 by the Zywiec Family, it features a Haunted House, Minnesota’s longest-running Haunted Hayride, the Massacre cornfield experience, and daytime Fall Fun Fest activities serving the Twin Cities region with seasonal Halloween entertainment.
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For more information about The Haunting Experience, contact the company here:
The Haunting Experience
Zywiec Family
651-459-3001
info@hauntingexperience.com
10900 E Point Douglas Rd S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
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