Ghosts and goblins will be sneaking out of the dark recesses of Coupeville as the Haunting of Coupeville starts Saturday, offering a month of hauntingly fun activities.

Community partners throughout Central Whidbey have been preparing Halloween-and-harvest inspired events and activities, offering a month of fun for all ages.

Starting Saturday, visitors may explore a corn maze daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New this year, will be a children’s corn maze, said Lynda Eccles, executive director for the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce.

With the area’s dry weather, there was some earlier concern the corn wouldn’t grow enough for the maze.

“The corn is doing well,” Eccles said Monday. “It’s cut out and we went in and pulled the weeds.”

“At nighttime, you won’t be able to see out.”

And for the truly brave, the haunted corn maze will be back this year for the last three weekends of the month 5-8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Coupeville High School drama club will once again be haunting the maze, Eccles said.

Fort Casey is also hoping to get on the Halloween bandwagon, offering a haunted fort Oct. 16-17 and Oct. 23-24.

Activities at Fort Casey will include a children’s maze, games, ghost stories in the lighthouse and the haunting of Battery Reuben Turman.

However, the event is contingent on volunteers with a deadline set for Oct. 1 to determine the event’s fate.

Those interested in volunteering should contact Sharon Sharpe at 360-678-1186.

Sherman’s Pioneer Farm will once again offer trolley rides at the pumpkin patch on weekends. The farm is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week.

The Shermans will also be adding two versions of a haunted barn — one for adults and older teens and one that is more family-friendly.

There will also be several opportunities for competition this month with HarvestFest on Saturday, Oct. 10. This marks the last farmers market of the season and the widely popular relay races, which raise funds for Gifts From the Heart food bank.

Also on Oct. 10, try your hand at growing the biggest pumpkin. The Giant Pumpkin Contest will be on display and weighing in 11 a.m. to noon at the market.

Saturday, Oct. 24 will be an event packed day with the Fall Festival at Coupeville Elementary School running from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and a Halloween Costume 5K and 1 mile run/walk sponsored by the Coupeville Boys and Girls Club.

Then the Halloween Torchlight Parade will take over downtown Coupeville with costume judging starting at 4:45 p.m. at Cook’s Corner Park and the parade beginning at 5 p.m.

On Sunday, Oct. 25 Coupeville’s Great Pumpkin Race will take over Alexander Street between Coveland and Front streets.

Sponosored by the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association, the races will feature handcrafted festive pumpkin racers.

There are also opportunities to get creative painting pumpkins, decorating scarecrows and carving pumpkins.

The month will end with a Halloween Dance to benefit Central Whidbey Hearts and Hammers.

The dance will be held 8 p.m. at the Coupeville Recreation Hall.

For more information of times, dates and locations of Haunting of Coupeville events, go to http://minref.wix.com/coupeville-halloween