By Angelic Thompson

By Vesna Brajkovic

Oct. 20, 2015

The change of season is marked by pumpkin cravings, hay rides and long nights after haunted houses. All of this fun adds up in cost and can empty your wallet if you’re not careful. You might not realize how much you’re spending until you look at your drained account balance. Don’t worry about it this year I have you covered. If you’re willing to make the drive, Janesville offers plenty of activities that are budget friendly.

If you are looking to get lost for fun in the dark, then try out Skelly’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze at 2713 S. Hayner Road. in Janesville. Admission for Skelly’s is $7 a person for both The Adventure Maze and The Impossible Maze, open during the weekends in October. These mazes are for everyone and are not scary.

The Adventure Maze covers six acres and has various checkpoints. If you get all the checkpoints punched on your map, you are entered in a raffle to win a giant pumpkin. The theme for this maze changes every year, and this year’s theme is Jurassic Farm.

The Impossible Maze spans nine acres. It gets harder each year to get through and it is meant for older children and adults because of its difficulty. You are provided a map and an emergency phone number so you will not be lost all night.

It would not be fall without going to a pumpkin patch and Skelly’s offers 20 acres of pumpkins, gourds and squash. Their small specialty pumpkins range in price from $1.50 to $3 depending on the size and type. The pumpkin carvings cost $.35 per pumpkin. For more information visit skellysfarmmarket.com.

Fall is also a time to be scared, since Halloween is just around the corner. Fright Factory is a haunted house located at 1405 Riverside St. in Janesville that has been around for 23 years. Free parking helps keep this activity low in cost. The general admission for Fright Factory is $11 per person. Fright Factory is not meant for children because of how scary.  The haunted house has over 15 scenes and two mazes and runs until the end of October. For more information visit janesvillehauntedhouse.com.

You don’t always need to spent money to go all out for fall. Jump in a leaf pile or cozy up with your friends for a Halloween movie night. You can rent a DVD free of charge from Andersen Library. Even if you’re on a budget, the fall season can bring fun and affordable activities your way.