by Cornelia Fortier

Luckily, Halloween’s off-beat pleasures now begin well before October 31st, with events and activities of varying scare power spread throughout the month.  And, if we find we’re feeling just a little too spooked by it all, there’s always all that Halloween candy to soothe us and give us our second wind.

October 4th - 31st
Thrill to The Blaze, the Hudson Valley's exciting and electrifying Halloween event, featuring more than 4,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins. Meander through a riverside landscape and discover a breathtaking display: snakes, a giant spider web, an undersea aquarium, super-sized dinosaurs, even a colossal Stonehenge -- all made of pumpkins. The Blaze takes place evenings October 4-5, 10-13, 17-19, 23-31. Admission is by advance timed ticket only. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 ages 5-17 and free for under 5. Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S. Riverside Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson, New York, 914-631-8200, http://www.hudsonvalley.org/.

October 10th
Prowl for Halloween Owls at New Canaan Nature Center on October 10th,  a natural way to prepare for Halloween with their Owl Prowl & Campfire from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The event includes meeting two live owls and learning how to recognize owl calls, followed by a trip out into the field to see if one of the local great horned or screech owls will call in. The evening ends with a campfire (weather permitting) and a chance to roast s'mores. Cost is $11 per person. New Canaan Nature Center, 144 Oenoke Ridge Road, New Canaan, 203-966-9577, http://www.newcanaannature.org.

October 11th - October 26th
Ride a Vintage Train to the Pumpkin Patch, at The Danbury Railway Museum. Rides on a vintage train to the pumpkin patch take place Saturdays from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Sundays, 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Every child gets a free pumpkin, free cider and cookies, a ride in the railyard with a stop for a turntable ride. Also, there is a 1903 restored station and railyard for exploration; a garden railroad with real trains and a coloring station with temporary tattoos and more. Admission is $8 for those 2 and over. (Under 2 years, are admitted free.) The Danbury Railway Museum,120 White Street, Danbury, 203-778-8337, http://www.danbury.org/drm/.
     
October 11th - November 2nd
Attend Halloween High School, October 11th - November 2nd, a high energy, monster mash of a family musical -- with a classroom full of your favorite monsters, trying to navigate high school. Performances are Saturdays and Sundays with matinees on Wednesdays. Downtown Cabaret, 263 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport, 203-576-1634, http://www.dtcab.com.

October 16th - October 30th
Hear Spooky Stories and Tales that will curl your toes with Fairfield Theater Company's Katie Marchand at Fairfield Museum on Thursday, October 16th, from 6 PM to 8 PM. Witches brew will be served.  Stories are suitable for family audiences. Admission is $7. Fairfield Museum and History Center, 370 Beach Road, Fairfield, 203-259-1598, www.fairfieldhistoricalsociety.org.

October 17th
Shiver at the Supernatural when ghost hunter Lorrain Warren describes her conviction that ghosts, demons, witches, Satanists, vampires and werewolves exist. Ms. Warren has painstakingly investigated the realm of the supernatural throughout America, Europe and Australia with her late husband. Her lecture at the Beardsley Zoo's Carousel building begins at 8 PM. Doors open at 7 PM. Tickets are $20. The Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, 203-394-6565, http://www.beardsleyzoo.org.

October 19th
Decorate a Spooky Scarecrow, while enjoying farm fresh cider and snacks. Bring clothes, shoes, hats and accessories to create your own Halloween scarecrow at the Bush-Holley Historic Site. As children did centuries ago, play tug-a-war, walk on stilts, visit the pumpkin patch and more. Seasonal refreshments served. The event takes place from noon to 4 PM and costs $20 per scarecrow. Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich, 39 Strickland Road, Cos Cob, 203-869-6899, http://www.hstg.org.

Hitch a Hayride at the Harvest Spooktacular when Stamford Museum & Nature Center holds its annual family festival featuring hayrides, apple cidering demonstrations, and fun activities for the whole family. Wear your costume and enjoy some Halloween treats. Taking place from 11 am - 4 pm, admission is $10 and includes parking. Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, 203-322-1646, http://www.stamfordmuseum.org

October 21st
Chat About Bats at Bethel Public Library's program for kids Grades 2-5, which features Gerri Griswold aka "Bat Lady", a bat rehabilitator who will talk about bats, their importance in the world of nature and her role in taking care of them when they are injured. She brings two bats with her to the library. To register to attend call 203-794-8756, Ex. 5 during library hours. Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, 203-794-8756, http://bethellibrary.org.

October 23rd
Conjure Connecticut's Seaside Ghosts at 3 PM, when 400 years of local ghostly tales are explored by paranormal researcher Donald Carter. Mr. Carter not only gives background on local legends, but demonstrates the real tools and technology used to unearth information on the other worldly dimension. The Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street, Bridgeport, 203-331-1104, http://www.barnum-museum.org/.

October 23rd - November 2nd
Marvel at the Jack-O'-Lantern Spectacular, a Halloween circus for the senses, making its Connecticut debut at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. An incredible display of glowing giant pumpkins is arranged into "skits," each with a unique theme with incredibly detailed pieces of art. Music, lighting, props and special effects add to the 360 sensation of the exhibit where visitors walk from scene to scene. The exhibit is appropriate for all ages. Show times are 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights until 10:30 p.m. Advance tickets are sold in 30-minute increments. The rain or shine display remains open for 90 minutes after the last timed admission. Admission is $12 Sunday through Thursday and $14 for Friday and Saturday.The Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water Street, Norwalk, 203-852-0700, http://www.maritimeaquarium.org.

October 24th-25th
Dance the Monster Mash, from 6 pm - 8 pm on Friday and Saturday, at Stepping Stones Museum's 6th Annual Monster Mash, a "spooktacular" event for children and families, that includes hands-on activities, live animals, tasty treats, games, a monster mash dance, storytelling and more. The cost is $12 per person. Children under one are free. Stepping Stones Museum for Children, 303 West Avenue, Norwalk, 203-899-0606, ext. 247,  http://www.steppingstonesmuseum.org.

Join Ghosts, Witches and Goblins of all ages to follow a costumed guide at 5 PM on October 24th & 25th for a spooky stroll through Fairfield's legendary Town Green & Old Burying Ground. Costumes are encouraged!  Adults admission is $5, children, $3. Fairfield Museum and History Center, 370 Beach Rd., Fairfield,203-259-1598,www.fairfieldhistoricalsociety.org.

Have Halloween on the Green in Danbury on October 25th, from 2-4 PM with a free event that features free goodie bags to the first 400 costumed kids, games, pumpkin decorating and a costume parade. Sponsored by Kiwanis of Danbury, Danbury Jaycees and CityCenter Danbury, the rain location is Danbury Arena. CityCenter Danbury Green, Ives Street, Danbury, 203-792-1711, www.citycenterdanbury.net.

Put on Your Costume for a guided walk on October 24th, through Fairfield Audubon Center's Enchanted Forest to meet the Center's creepy, crawly and feathery critters. Guided walks leave on the half hour, starting at 5:30 PM and running til 8 PM. Call to reserve your walk, which takes place rain or (moon)shine. Admission is $12 and $14. Audubon Center in Farifield, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, 203-259-6305, x 109, www.ctaudubon.org.

October 26th
Go Boo at the Beardsley Zoo on October 26th, from noon to 3:00 p.m., and experience a friendly Halloween event that includes free admission for children under 12 in costumes accompanied by their (paying) families, as well as a magician, music, candy, games and crafts. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, 203-394-6565, http://www.beardsleyzoo.org.

Laugh at JuggleJoy and their bags of tickets and treats in a special Hollow's Day Event on October 26th, including a costume parade for ages 2 - 7 at Westport Country Playhouse. Join Tobasco Peppar and Felicity Fussenbother in this fun-filled-not-too-scary special Halloween show. Spinning plates, disappearing (and reappearing) clowns balancing on the handlebars of a unicycle, magic tricks, juggling and silly fun. The event is free by reservation. Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport, 203-227-4177, http://www.westportplayhouse.org.


Party at the Pet Tricks 'N Treats Open House, a Halloween event for pet lovers at South Wilton Veterinary Group, which begins at noon, and features local pet organizations and rescue groups, a pet costume contest with great prizes, booths for pet owner education, and vets to answer questions -- all with a Halloween theme. South Wilton Veterinary Group, 51 Danbury Road, Wilton,  203-762-2002, http://www.southwiltonvet.com.

Celebrate Ghost and Goblin Season at Wilton's Ambler Farm, from 1-3 PM, which holds an event for children of all ages with Halloween hayrides, pumpkin painting and crafts and activities. Come in costume and explore the farm. Ambler Farm, 257 Hurlbutt Street, Wilton, 203-834-1143, www.amblerfarm.org.

Make Halloween Creations at Creative Castle's Halloween Craft Workshop, where kids create 6 different fun crafts, including a canvas trick-or-treat bag, edible spider cookies, a papier mache pumpkin and more. Sessions are 90 minutes and begin at 10 AM, 12:30 PM and 3 PM, with an enrollment of 20 per session. Cost is $35 per child. Creative Castle, 715 Post Road, Fairfield, 203-226-5090, http://www.creativecastle.net.

Hoot and Howl for Halloween at Darien Nature Center's fall open house from 4-6 PM, featuring hayrides, mystery walks, campfire stories, seasonal craft projects and many live animals. Adults are free and children pay a nominal fee. Darien Nature Center, 120 Brookside Rd., Darien, 203-655-7459, www.dariennature.org.

October 30th
Stroll Through an Enchanted Orchard, from 6 PM to 8:30 PM,  in Audubon Greenwich's Halloween special evening for the whole family that includes a fun walk in the Enchanted Orchard, an animal show, refreshments and plenty of Halloween treats by the fireplace in the historic red barn. Costumes are encouraged. The cost is $25 per family. RSVP and parent supervision required. Rain Date is Saturday, November 1st. Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, 203-869-5272, http://greenwich.audubon.org/.

Team Up for a Hair-Raising Race collecting clues in a Haunted Hunt, Thursday, October 30th, from 5 PM to 7 PM, when teams of 4-5 use compass skills in the Old Burying Ground in Fairfield.  Prizes are awarded and pre-registration is required. Cost is $5 per person. Fairfield Museum and History Center, 370 Beach Road, Fairfield, 203-259-1598, www.fairfieldhistoricalsociety.org.

October 31st
Dress Up to Hear Jazz at the Oktoberfest jazz concert at Danbury's Ives Concert Hall at 8 p.m. in Ives Concert Hall. Concertgoers are invited to attend in Halloween costumes to listen to performances by The Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra and Frankensax. The event is free. Western Connecticut State University, 181 White Street, Danbury, 203-837-8350, http://www.wcsu.edu.