Downtown Farmington's Grand Raven Festival opens Thursday, Oct. 1, with a Mardi Gras-style parade starting at Riley Park, launching a full month of Edgar Allan Poe-themed programming in downtown Farmington.

The festival, hosted by the Downtown Farmington Development Authority (DDA), runs daily through Oct. 31. It anchors a packed October calendar that includes hayrides, a zombie archery shoot, a police trunk or treat and a haunted farmers market across Farmington and Farmington Hills.

Grand Raven Festival: Oct. 1–31

The opening night parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Sundquist Pavilion in Riley Park, 33113 Grand River Ave., according to Oakland County Moms. The DDA built the festival around Poe's poem "The Raven," with weekly recurring events throughout the month.

"Whispers in the Park," a dramatic reading of a family-friendly story followed by a Poe excerpt, takes place every Tuesday in October at 7 p.m. A Victorian Book Walk featuring a recitation of "The Raven" runs every Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

The festival also includes a pumpkin carving contest. Participants can pick up a free pumpkin at the Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market while supplies last, then return their carved creation to Riley Park. Voting takes place the week of Halloween on the Downtown Farmington Facebook page.

The festival wraps Oct. 31 with a Haunted Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and downtown trick-or-treating at participating stores from noon to 2 p.m.

Heritage Park hayrides: every Friday in October

Hayrides run Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Heritage Park, 24725 Farmington Road, according to Oakland County Moms. The last ride departs at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $5 per person. Children ages 2 and under ride free. Pre-registration is encouraged through the city's website.

Hay Day and Marshmallow Fly & Fry: Oct. 6

The Farmington Hills Special Services Department hosts Hay Day on Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Heritage Park. Admission is free, though hayrides and pumpkin decorating require a separate fee and pre-registration, according to the Farmington Hills recreation calendar. Hot dogs are also available.

Police Department Trunk or Treat: Oct. 10

The Farmington Hills Police Department hosts a free trunk or treat Saturday, Oct. 10, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Costick Center, 28600 W. 11 Mile Road, according to Oakland County Moms and independently confirmed by CBS Detroit. Families can email [email protected] for details.

Halloween Zombie Shoot: Oct. 17

Archers ages 10 and up can build their own zombie target, then shoot it at Riley Archery Range, 24915 Farmington Road, according to Oakland County Moms, on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A kids shoot for ages 8 and up runs from 4 to 5 p.m. Cost is $15 for residents, $20 for non-residents. Pre-registration is required through the city's website.

Boo Bash: Oct. 25

Geared toward preschool through third-grade children, Boo Bash runs Sunday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in half-hour sessions at Heritage Park, according to Oakland County Moms. The event features hayrides, s'mores and candy-free trick-or-treat stations. Cost is $15 for residents, $20 for non-residents. Pre-registration is required through the city's website.

October calendar at a glance

  • Oct. 1: Grand Raven Festival Opening Night Parade, 5:30 p.m., Riley Park
  • Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Heritage Park Hayrides, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 6: Hay Day and Marshmallow Fly & Fry, 5–8 p.m., Heritage Park
  • Oct. 10: Trunk or Treat, noon–3 p.m., Costick Center
  • Oct. 17: Halloween Zombie Shoot, 6–7:30 p.m., Riley Archery Range
  • Oct. 25: Boo Bash, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Heritage Park
  • Every Tuesday in October: Whispers in the Park, 7 p.m., Riley Park
  • Every Thursday in October: Victorian Book Walk, 6:30 p.m., Riley Park
  • Oct. 31: Haunted Farmers Market, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; Downtown Trick-or-Treating, noon–2 p.m.