New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS
Editor’s note: COVID took a toll on Halloween last year, but trick or treating and various spooky activities are a go for this season and they prove you don’t have to be just a kid to get “spooked.” Events are primarily outside and, in the spirit of safety, participants are encouraged to follow CDC masking guidelines. Double check requirements when registering or visiting.
PUMPKIN PATCH
EAST HAVEN: The Pumpkin Patch at the Shore Line Trolley Museum, River Street, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31. Admission includes a trolley ride, grounds visit, one pumpkin, puzzle book for each child, and photo ops. COVID guidelines followed. For reservations, go to https:// bit.ly/3F6cZc5.
HALLOWEEN HARVEST HALF PINT VILLAGE
EAST HADDAM: The Friends of Rathbun Library will host its first-ever Halloween Harvest Half Pint Village at the library, 36 Main St., from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22. Participants are invited to create mini-planters with a seasonal theme and a miniature (aka Half Pint) Halloween Harvest village in the Reading Garden behind the library. Plenty of
tiny spooks and spirits will be tucked in among the straw, squash, and spider webs. Included will be ghost stories around the campfire, refreshments, scavenger hunt, Bubblemania,
and the Fire Dancer. Costumes welcome; bring a flashlight. The village can be explored through Oct. 30 during regular library hours. For more information, call 860-873-8210 or email friendsofrathbunlibrary@gmail.com.
‘SPOOKTACULAR’ CAR SHOW, ROBOT JAM
GUILFORD: Apple Pi Robotics, a 4H youth program for high school age students to explore fun with STEM, will host its annual “Spooktacular” Car show and Robot Jam on the grounds of Moroso Performance Products, 80 Carter Drive, near exit 59, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. The show typically has more than 150 vintage cars and hot rods, many with a Halloween theme and several high school FIRST robotics teams will have demos and an informal scrimmage of their 150 lb. robots. For more information, go to applepirobotics.org.
TRUNK OR TREAT PARTY, PARADE
OLD SAYBROOK: Families with kids pre-K to grade 4 are invited to decorate the trunks of their vehicles in a spooky way to celebrate Halloween at the Town Green Gazebo, 300 Main St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. They will then parade around the vehicles to show off their costumes. Cars and participants must register for this event as each wave will have maximum participation numbers; two sessions, at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Register at oldsaybrookrec.com or call 860-395-3152.
HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR
EAST HAVEN: Halloween Spooktacular, billed as a “Cabaret of Fearsome Fun,” takes place at the New Haven Academy of Performing Arts, 597 Main St, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, and at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24. Family friendly. Vaccination or COVID negative test required. For more information and tickets, go to nhaopahalloween.bpt.me/.
FRIGHTENING FUN
NORTH BRANFORD: Tickets are on sale for the Nightmare in North Branford, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. Visitors (recommended age is 13) can expect zombies, fog, and a variety of nightmarish scenes as they walk the terrifying trail along the Farm River on the historic Augur Property. Tickets will be offered at the door ($20) based on availability. Second entry tickets are $10 based on availability. For more information and pre-registration ($15) go to northbranfordct.myrec.com or call 203-484-6017.
PIPESCREAMS
MADISON: The First Congregational
Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Lane, will host Pipescreams, an organ recital for Halloween with organist Nathan Bayreuther and reader Douglas Ewers, at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29. Works will include Vierne’s “Fantômes,” SaintSaëns’ “Danse Macabre,” Mulet’s “Chapel of the
Dead,” Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” “The Haunted Organ” from the movie ”The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” and Bach’s “Toccata & Fuge in D Minor.” Attend in person (mask required indoors), bring a chair and watch it outside projected on a screen, or watch it live on Facebook, at facebook.com/ fccmadison. $10 donation. For further information call 203-245-2739, extension 14 or visit fccmadison.org.
‘SPOOKTACULAR’ WEEKEND
EAST HAVEN: The Old Stone Church and WISP Performing Arts Initiative team up for a "Spooktacular" family friendly, all ages weekend with a ghoulishly fun musical cabaret. The cabaret, featuring songs from Disney, Broadway, Big Band and more, starts at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29 and 30 ($15, buy.tututix.com/wisp). Family fun takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, on the grounds of Old Stone Church, 251 Main St. ($5) with face painting, games, crafts, and costume contest. For more information, call 203-4941633.
HALLOWEEN GAME DAY
BRANFORD: Kids in grades 6 to 12 are invited to take part in an hour of afterschool board game to create the Halloween spirit from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, through Blackstone Library. To help keep families safe, a variety of in-person and virtual events will be available through Blackstone Teen Services. Due to limited space, participants should sign up for events they are sure to attend. Go to https:// bit.ly/3Fhe6WF.