Hayrides return to Science Center in October

A Fall Family Hayride departs the Science Center last year. Two hayride nights are planned for this year: Oct. 7 and Oct. 28.

Autumn at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is a special time with preschool and after school classes back in session and special events on tap to celebrate the season. Although Fall Session classes are already underway, families can still enroll in the few remaining preschool class spots while they last. There’s also still time to get in on one of the most popular autumn activities at the Center – Fall Family Hayride Nights – but you’ll need to pre-register soon!

The first of two Fall Family Hayride Nights takes place on Friday, Oct. 7, and begins with a full pizza and salad dinner. Participants also enjoy hay wagon rides around Huntington Reservation, kid-friendly seasonal crafts and hands-on activities, planetarium star shows and live animal encounters.

Children are encouraged to wear their costumes to the second Family Hayride event on Friday, Oct. 28, when a trick-or-treat trail through the Center’s backyard Wildlife Gardens provides additional un-scary fun. Both of these all-inclusive hayride nights run from 6-9 p.m. and require advance registration. Fees are $12 for adults and $8 for kids.

Kids ages 4-6 who would like a seasonal nature program of their own can take part in the Monday, Oct. 24, Log Cabin Samplers class that’s all about bats! This program will give a taste of what Kindergartners enjoy in the weekly Log Cabin Explorers Club program. The Bats Sampler takes place from 9-11 a.m. or 1-3 p.m. Space is limited and pre-registration at $30 per child ($20 for members) is required.

The spooky season also takes over the Walter R. Planetarium in October as the weekly Monthly SkyQuest program presents "Ghost Riders in the Sky." As Halloween approaches, families will learn all about ghostly apparitions in the sky – comets – wandering, mysterious and beautiful visitors from the far reaches of our solar system. The expert staff will also teach some observation “tricks” and point out a few astronomical “treats” in the October night sky. Program runs every Saturday at 1:30 p.m., tickets are $3/person and go on sale on the day of the program.

Get details on these classes and much more at www.lensc.org or call 440-871-2900 with questions or to register.