TOPEKA, Kan. - Fun and fright go hand in hand with two returning Halloween events at the Kansas Museum of History! Haunted History provides the frights, along with fun, 5 - 9 p.m. Friday, October 17, and Tricks & Treats at the Boo-seum!, focuses on the fun, 1 - 5 p.m. Friday, October 31.

Haunted History features flashlight tours of the Museum and Nature Trail, scary bonfire stories, costumed interpreters, games, and activities. The event is free. Popcorn, cider, and Kansas gifts will be available for purchase.

The slightly spooky flashlight tours are $3 per person, children five and under free, and last 30 minutes. Tickets do not need to be purchased ahead of time, but it is recommended since space is limited. Tickets will be available for specific times with tours every 30 minutes, 15 people per tour. Families and youth groups are encouraged to attend.

Tricks & Treats at the Boo-seum! is a fun, free event especially for young children. The event includes costumed staff at free treat stations, games, and cookie, gourd, visor, and mask decorating. Preschools and day care centers are encouraged to attend this Halloween afternoon event.

The current special exhibit, Forces of Nature, is open through January 4, 2009. The exhibit features images and artifacts from the history of weather extremes in Kansas, from tornadoes and floods to prairie fires and dust storms.

The Kansas Museum of History is one of eighteen facilities operated by the Kansas Historical Society. The Museum is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday- Saturday; 1 - 5 p.m. Sunday, and is located at 6425 SW 6th Avenue in Topeka. Call 785-272-8681 or visit kshs.org.