This year has a bigger lineup than usual for Halloween with traditional attractions like The Chamber Haunt at Sam Lynn Ballpark on Chester Avenue throughout the month of October.

A majority of the events and gatherings for Halloween this year won’t get kicked off until later in the month, but there are monthlong events available to attend.

A few usual events and activities are Talladega Frights on Rosedale Highway that opens the first week of October and lasts until Halloween. This year Talladega Frights is going to have the Haunted Hayride with a surprise and two separate themed haunted houses. There are a few other rides and concession stands throughout the park available to the community.

It is considered to be family friendly, but it is recommended for ages 14 and up.

The Houchin Blood Bank is even a part of the “scarelebrations” by having zombies invade the blood bank. All donors will receive a free spooky dinner, free admission to Wicked Dark and entered in a contest to win weekly four packs of free tickets to Talladega Frights or a grand prize of a private Zombie X Wagon Party for 20 people. Zombie X the latest attraction to Talladega Frights.

Something new is the 2011 Halloween Zombie Apocalypse at the Valley Plaza Mall on Ming Avenue on Oct. 29.

The new attraction allows attendees to become zombies or survivors in this movie enactment activity. Patrons are asked to bring Nerf guns only to this national level event. In cities everywhere beginning Oct. 29 and ending on the 31st people will be able to take part in the three-day Zombie Apocalypse.

Of course there would be no Halloween without costumes, so a few places to pick up your spooky garb around town are Spirit the Halloween Costume Store on Chester and Ming avenues and at the former Border’s on Stockdale Highway. There are also Fantasy Frock Costumes located on 17th street in downtown Bakersfield and the usual places like Wal-Mart and Party City to reinvent your look.