The doors are creaking open for the annual haunted attraction industry. Here in Western Pennsylvania, we grow them extra-creepy, in part because of our homegrown talent in the scare business.

Tony Tye, Post-Gazette George Romero's Fright Nights return this weekend to Station "Scare" for the Halloween season.

Director George Romero's name is on the marquee again at the annual Fright Nights at Station Square, which opens Friday. One of the main attractions there is a walk-though based on the zombie-besieged farm house in Romero's classic "Night of the Living Dead." And the director is guest of honor at this week's Eerie Horror Fest -- Erie's annual horror film fest, which draws directors, actors and fans to its screenings of independent and commercial horror films.

The work of special-effects artist Tom Savini is showcased in TerrorMania, which features characters and scenes from some of his films and other horror movies.

Kennywood Park is always hair-raising, and even more so this time of year, when Phantom Fight Nights haunt the amusement park.

The Syria Shrine gets a makeover this year, with the new Temple of Terror attraction. And many returning favorites on the haunting circuit are coming to parks, farms and other sites in the region.

Many offer group rates and discounts or nonscary activities, so check the Web sites for details.

HAUNTED HAUNTS

McDONALD'S PRESENTS GEORGE A. ROMERO'S FRIGHT NIGHTS AT STATION "SCARE"

"Night of the Living Dead" Farmhouse and Cemetery and The Metamorphosis of Horror haunted walk-throughs, Andrew the Impaled "Side Show," Drown the Clown, midway games and Executioners Hot Seat. Chevrolet Amphitheatre, Station Square. Oct. 6-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-31. Weeknights from 7 to 11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. 7 p.m. to midnight. $13.99. 412-232-6200; www.chevroletamphitheatre.com

PHANTOM FRIGHT NIGHTS

Three haunted mazes, plus haunted midway. Not recommended for children under 13. Kennywood Park. Fri. and Sat. through Oct. 28 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., plus Oct. 8 from 7 to 11 p.m. $19.50. 412-461-0500; www.phantomfrightnights.com.

HUNDRED ACRES MANOR HAUNTED HOUSE

New attractions include Massacre Mansion, Black Hill Sanitarium, Fearscapes Factory and The Maze. Benefits Animal Friends and the Homeless Children's Education Fund. Hundred Acres Drive, off Corrigan Drive, South Park. Oct. 5-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29. Wed., Thurs. and Sun. 7-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 7-11:30 p.m. Weekdays and Sun. $10, Fri. and Sat. $12. 412-851-HAUNT; www.hundredacresmanor.org

TOM SAVINI'S TERRORMANIA

Redecorated and redesigned to display scenes from special effects creator Savini's movies and other popular horror movies. Century III Mall, West Mifflin. Through Nov. 4. Thurs. 7-9:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 7 to midnight, Sun. 4 to 8 p.m., Oct. 30, 31 Nov. 3-4 from 7 to 10 p.m. $13.50. Lights-on matinee Sun. from 4 to 5 p.m. 724-684-3684, ext. 4; www.terrormania.net.

DEMON HOUSE

New this year -- Horror Maze and Panic Room. Monongahela. Oct. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29, 31, Nov. 3-4. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. $13.50. demonhouse.com.

SCREAM ASYLUM

Expanded carnival and surprise attractions presented by L5 Productions. Trader Jack's, Thoms Run Road, Bridgeville. Through Oct. 29. Sun. and Thurs. 6-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 6 p.m.-midnight. $13. www.screamasylum.com.

TEMPLE OF TERROR

Temple of Terror, Zombie Encounter, plus nonscary Pumpkin Hollow. Benefits Syria Shrine Center. Syria Shrine Center, Harmar Twp. Through Oct. 30. Sun.-Thurs. 7 to 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 7 to 11 p.m. $12. 724-274-7000; www.templeofterror.net

McKEESPORT AFTER DARK HAUNTED HOUSE

500 block of Fifth Avenue, McKeesport. Fri. and Sat. through Oct. 28. 7-11 p.m. $5. 412-675-5068; mckrecboard.freeservers.com.

FRIGHT FARM

Rich Farms, Route 857, Smithfield. Through Oct. 31. Wed., Thurs and Sun. from dusk to 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. from dusk to midnight. $15. 724-564-7644 or 1-877-564-7644; www.frightfarm.com.

HUSTON'S HAUNTED HOLLOW

Route 281, six miles south of Somerset. Fri. and Sat. through Oct. 28. Dusk-11 p.m. $12. 1-814-926-3133; www.hauntedhollow.net.

CASTLE BLOOD

2860 Main St. (Route 40), Beallsville, Washington County. Oct. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29, 31. Doors open at 7 p.m. $10. Also matinee daylight nonscary tours. 724-632-3242; www.castleblood.com.

CHEESEMAN'S FRIGHT FARM

Cheeseman Road, off Route 19, Portersville, Butler County. Thurs.-Sun. through Oct. 29. Thurs. and Sun $10, Fri. and Sat, $12. Dusk to 10 p.m. 724-368-3233; www.cheesemanfarm.com.

ALAMEDA PARK HAUNTED BONFIRE

Storytelling, bonfire and refreshments. Kids invited to come in costume. Alameda Park, North New Castle Road on Alameda Park Road, two miles west of Butler. Oct. 21. 6:30 p.m. $5. 724-284-5383.

HALLOWEEN TRAIL

Haunted trail and treats for kids. Hospital Fitness Trail, Canonsburg General Hospital. Oct. 19. 4-5:30 p.m. Free. 724-873-5835.

OTHER HAPPENINGS

HALLOWBOO!

Family Halloween celebration, with trick-or-treating in Storybook Forest, hay bale maze, haunted train ride and more. Idlewild Park, Ligonier. Oct. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29. Noon to 6 p.m. $15.95. 724-238-3666; www.idlewild.com

HALLOWEEN HAYRIDE

Pine Community Park,. Pearce Mill Road, Wexford. Oct. 13-14. 6 to 9 p.m. $3/adults, $2/children. 724-625-1591.

KDKA ZOOBOO FOR KIDS' SAKE

Halloween Village, Ghost Trail, Kreepy Kingdom and Lite Rock 92.9 FM Monster Splash, plus storytelling, train rides and treats. Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Highland Park. Oct. 20-22, 27-29. 6-9:30 p.m. $4/Zoo members, $6/nonmembers. 412-665-3640. zoo.pgh.pa.us/

OWL-O-WEEN

Radio Disney hosts family Halloween party with treats, costume contests, plus up-close encounters with raptors, owls and other nocturnal birds. National Aviary, North Side. Oct. 14. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $8/adults; $7/seniors; $6.50/children. Kids 12 and under or in bird costume admitted free. 412-323-7235; www.aviary.org

HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS

Evening of family activities, including face-painting, storytelling and snacks. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Schenley Park. Free with conservatory admission. Oct. 28, 4 to 8 p.m. 412-622-6914. www.phipps.conservatory.org/

BUMP IN THE NIGHT

Nonscary family event with storytelling and nature "creature feature." Frick Environmental Center, 2005 Beechwood Blvd., Squirrel Hill. Oct. 13-14, 20-21. 7 to 9 p.m. $7 adults, $5 children 12 and under. Discount for members. Advance registration required. 412-422-6538.

GATEWAY CLIPPER FLEET HALLOWEEN CRUISES

The X New Rock Halloween Cruise: With Saliva. Over 21 cruise, Oct. 27. Boards 8:30 p.m. $20.

3WS Boos Cruise. With Donnie Iris. Over 21 cruise. Oct. 28. Boards 7:30 p.m. $20.

Halloween Fun Monster Party Cruises: Kids' costume party. Oct. 28-29. Boards at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. $15/adults. $8.50/children. Reservations and information: 412-355-7980.

PUMPKIN PATCH TROLLEY

Scenic fall trolley rides. Kids can pick out pumpkins in the Pumpkin Patch and decorate them. Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, near Washington County Fairgrounds. Oct. 13-15 , 20-22, 27-29. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Adults/$7, seniors/$6, children aged 3 to 15/$4. 724-228-9256. www.pa-trolley.org

PARTY IN PINK GALA AND MASQUERADE

Over-21 event presented by Star 100.7 in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Raffle of autographed items from Sheryl Crow, Kelly Clarkson, Pittsburgh Pirates Jason Bay and Freddy Sanchez. Proceeds benefit Magee-Women's Research Institute and Foundation. REI Building, Southside Works. Oct. 21. 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets: $50. VIP tickets: $100. Tickets must be purchased on advance: www.1007.com

WINE & SPIRITS

Halloween celebration for adults. Visit with the Aviary's owls and ravens, with stories about North Side's haunted sites, plus wine and hors d'oeuvres. National Aviary, North Side. Oct. 13, 20. 7 p.m. $20. Reservations required: 412-323-7235. www.aviary.org.

CREEPS I KNOW

Digging Pitt Too Gallery invites people to come in with stories about creepy people or experiences. Digging Pitt Too, 45th and Plummer streets, Lawrenceville. Oct. 28, 4 p.m. Free. 412-605-0450.

NORTHERN NIGHTMARES

Nightmare Bus Tour of spooky sites in Zelienople and Harmony, plus monster movies and entertainment. For details, visit Web site. Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28. Tours starting at 6:30 p.m. $8/tour, other activities free. 724-742-0400; www.northernnightmares.com.

HOBGOBLIN HIKES

Guided walk through haunted woods in two Westmoreland County parks. Cedar Creek Park Oct. 20, 7-9 p.m., and Twin Lakes Park Oct. 27, 7-9 p.m. Free. 724-830-3959.

HISTORIC HALLOWEEN PARTY

Costume prizes, live music. Cornerstone Commons, South Main Street, Butler. Oct. 28. 8 p.m. to midnight. $13/person, $25/couple. 724-283-8116.

CHILLER THEATER

Screenings of classic horror films. Beecher's Cafe, North Main Street, Zelienople. Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28. Films start at dusk. Free. 724-742-0400. www.northernnightmares.com/chiller_theater_schedule.htm

EERIE HORROR FILM FESTIVAL

Annual film fest features independent and commercial horror and thriller movies. George Romero is this year's guest of honor, along with other directors and actors. Erie Playhouse and Avalon Hotel, Erie. Through Oct. 8. See Web site for schedule and more details. 1-814-873-7074; www.eeriehorrorfest.com

SECOND ANNUAL OTHERWORLDLY WEEKENDS

Walking tour of 19th century historic village. Presented by West Overton Museums. West Overton Village, Scottdale. Oct. 20 21, 27-28. 6:30 to 10 p.m. $10. 724-887-7910; www.westovertonmuseum.org

PUMPKINFEST

PumpkinFest Queen Pageant, 5K run/walk, antique and classic auto show, parade, pumpkin contest, arts and crafts and food vendors. Confluence. Oct. 6-7. www.confluencepumpkinfest.org

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

Hayrides, corn maze, live music, crafts, food and more. Reeger's Farm, Laurel Road, near Indiana. Oct. 7, 14. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 724-463-0440; www.reegersfarm.com

CHILDREN'S HARVEST DAY FESTIVAL AND PUMPKINFEST

East Park, East Allegheny. Oct. 14.

ACC CHILDREN'S HALLOWEEN PARADE & PARTY

2201 Salisbury St., Arlington. Oct. 21.