Tricks and Treats
Some say that Halloween marks the beginning of the “dark half” of the year, but not in Connecticut—fall is our most colorful (and delightfully frightening) season and this month is filled with lots of fun family activities. Here are some of the offerings:
It’s pumpkin season at Jones Family Farm (203/929-8425; jonesfamilyfarms.com) in Shelton where the family is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Pumpkinseed Hill. Enjoy photo ops and set pieces from The Wizard of Oz, Western Trails, fairy tales and more. Dance on an “American Bandstand”-style stage or enjoy a hayride out to the pumpkins.
Don’t be scared away by Scarecrows at the Museum: A Harvest Time Adventure at the Florence Griswold Museum (860/434-5542; florencegriswoldmuseum.org) in Old Lyme through Oct. 31. More than 30 friendly scarecrows dressed as famous artists or works of art will be posted on the grounds.
Thrillseekers and those who like to watch them, Bash the Monster at Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park (866/860-0208; brownstonepark.com) in Portland Oct. 29-31 is for you. The party features the soon-to-be-famous Bash-the-Monster Catapult Pumpkin Launch, an extreme pumpkin-carving contest, a rock wall pumpkin smash, a zip-line costume contest, a haunted peninsula and more.
The Haven String Quartet performs terrifying music as accompaniment to classic silent horror films in Music Haven’s Bloody Films and Bloody Marys: Halloween of Horror Fundraiser at Firehouse 12 in New Haven on Oct. 30. (For tickets and more info, call (800) 838-3006 or visit brownpapertickets.com/event/124970). Dig cemetery tours? Noah Webster House (860/521-5362; noahwebsterhouse.org) sponsors West Hartford Hauntings, a frightful yet educational nighttime tour of the North Cemetery in West Hartford where you meet deceased historical characters by lantern light Oct. 29 & 30.
And scare yourself silly at the Trail of Terror (trailofterror.com) in Wallingford through Oct. 30. Fans wait in line for hours to walk along the terrifying trail of zombies, vampires and the creepiest ghouls you’ve ever encountered. It’s worth the wait, but take our advice: Arrive early and buy the speed pass.
Call or visit websites for ticket info, reservations, hours and directions.
