No need to be afraid: Here are 8 reasons to check out HalloWeekends

Editor's note: Justin Dietz is a Register correspondent representing CPFoodBlog.com and @CPFoodBlog on Twitter.SANDUSKY — It's the most terrifying time of the year.With the kids trick-or-treating, and everyone telling you don't be scared, it's the most terrifying time of the year.Haunt season is one of our favorite times of the year, even though it triggers an end-of-summer fun at Cedar Point.But, even with the dread of a pending season of "s-s-...snow," there are many reasons to be excited for the start of HalloWeekends this weekend at Cedar Point.Among some of them:1. Character SpiritHalloWeekends at Cedar Point returns this weekend with many new and improved features and entertainment options. Several fan-favorite attractions are also returning, including the Peanuts-themed Kids Hay Maze.Everyone gets into the fall spirit at the parks, and that includes Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang. Bring the family out during the day and see your favorite characters dressed up just for Halloween. Guests will be happy to learn Cedar Fair just signed an extension to the Peanuts contract, extending their appearance in the parks through 2025.Or if you visit Cedar Point during the day, you may get lucky and see Tony Clark, the park's communications director, interacting with guests as "Dead Tony." Everyone gets in on the action.2. DecorationsCedar Point has undergone an extensive makeover for the fall season. Many areas around the park have been decorated with a Halloween flavor to kick off HalloWeekends, which starts this weekend. Starting right around August each year, guests can feel the fall spirit upon seeing some of the decorations starting to pop up around the park. Maybe you will see a "Haunt" vehicle here or a hearse there.Slowly, as you get closer to fall, you will begin to see the park transformed into an entirely new experience, especially after dark.Fall also means new kids and family activities throughout the day. New for 2017, they can check out the Hexed maze without any scares during a lights-on tour. Then once the sun goes down, the fog starts to roll in, and the entire atmosphere becomes captivating.3. New ride experiencesThis year's HalloWeekends promises to be better than ever. That's largely in part because the park has stepped up its game by making some simple changes to select rides.Among the more notable, several rides will be transformed, including:• Ocean Potion, normally Ocean Motion, with special water effects surrounding the swinging boat• Cedar Creek Mystic Mine Ride, normally Cedar Creek Mine Ride, will take riders through a covered, mysterious shed just before they climb the first lift hill• Near the Magnum XL-200, Witches' Wheel will feature a haunting soundtrack and unique lighting• Just down the midway, on The Friendly Monster, normally Monster, guests will see spooky eyes on each car and hear special music while riding.• Additional special ride features include the Ghastly Passenger experience on the Sky Ride4. Unique menu offeringsCedar Point has undergone an extensive makeover for the fall season to commemorate a new season of HalloWeekends. Guests can buy Halloween-themed food, including cookies from the Starbucks within the park.While the leaves are changing, so does the food that nurtures the soul, preparing our bodies for winter. That is why we love the fall food scene at the park, where you can find warm cider, pumpkin treats, unique food offerings and freshly prepared kettle corn.In addition to the yearly return of Boeckling's Banquet and Night of the Living Fed, the park will also feature the second annual Spooky Spuds, specialty topped baked potatoes, and a new offering: Amaize-ing Corn, freshly popped popcorn with a variety of candy coatings and roasted corn on the cob with several butter dipping sauces and seasonings.You will be sure to find us at the food stands during Haunt.5. New haunt experiencesIn 2017, it will be a more immersive Haunt experience than anything you have ever encountered at Cedar Point, Just look to:• Eden Musee will be replaced with Deprivation: No Way Out, a new lights out experience.• Eternity Infirmary will now be Fearground Freakshow.• Harvest Fear will debut outside of the Townhall Museum, extending your experience throughout Frontier Town and tying into the future theme.6. Park improvementsSun glistens off the steel tracks of Cedar Point's Steel Vengeance roller coaster, which is set to open in 2018. There is nothing that gets park enthusiasts' blood running faster than with the announcement of improvements. Typically, sometime in August or September, leaders of each property within the Cedar Fair family announce next season's big attraction, whether that's a roller coaster, water park, ride or dining enhancement.Shortly thereafter, guests going into fall can watch the early progress of construction, building excitement to carry them into spring and the park reopening.The most exciting news coming out of the Cedar Point peninsula is the conversion of Mean Streak to Steel Vengeance in 2018. The new roller coaster experience is as exciting as the records it is set to break, and following the construction progress is easy to do during HalloWeekends. This is your chance to get a glimpse of the monster new coaster that will redefine Frontier Town for years to come.7. Merchandise dealsLooking to snag some merchandise for that special someone?As the Cedar Fair properties get closer to closing day, they risk being stuck with a bunch of inventory. This means you should be able to find some great discounts of select items.8) Best deal of the year on season passesIf you are like our family, we like to save money, and the best time to do that with Cedar Fair season passes is in the fall. When season passes first go on sale is the best time to buy because of the lowest prices and additional added incentives.For example, new guests that purchase a season pass this season get into the parks one time this season. Renewing members get a free Fast Lane Plus pass, allowing them front-of-the-line access one visit this season. Some restrictions apply.When purchasing your season pass, it is also in your best interest to add the all-season dining plan and all-season drink cup/pass now, as the prices will only go up the longer you wait.HalloWeekends at Cedar Point returns this weekend with many new and improved features, attractions and entertainment options, including Fearground Freakshow