Trick-or-Treat Times-
The History behind Halloween-
Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes and sweet treats.
Development of artifacts and symbols associated with Halloween formed over time. For instance, the carving of jack-o'-lanterns springs from the souling custom of carving turnips into lanterns as a way of remembering the souls held in purgatory. The turnip has traditionally been used in Ireland and Scotland at Halloween, but immigrants to North America used the native pumpkin, which are both readily available and much larger – making them easier to carve than turnips. The American tradition of carving pumpkins is recorded in 1837 and was originally associated with harvest time in general, not becoming specifically associated with Halloween until the mid-to-late 19th century.
Trick-or-treating-The practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door to door for treats on holidays dates back to the Middle Ages and includes Christmas wassailing. Trick-or-treating resembles the late medieval practice of souling, when poor folk would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1), receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls' Day (November 2). It originated in Ireland and Britain, although similar practices for the souls of the dead were found as far south as Italy. In Scotland and Ireland, Guising — children disguised in costume going from door to door for food or coins — is a traditional Halloween custom, and is recorded in Scotland at Halloween in 1895 where masqueraders in disguise carrying lanterns made out of scooped out turnips, visit homes to be rewarded with cakes, fruit and money. The practice of Guising at Halloween in North America is first recorded in 1911, where a newspaper in Kingston, Ontario reported children going "guising" around the neighborhood.
Autumn Activities-
THOMPSON Corn Maze Adventure Venue: Fort Hill Farms Dates: August 20, 2011 - November 6, 2011 Description: This year celebrate local farms with the maze "The Farmer's Cow, She's Your Neighbor." In addition to being a challenge, you will learn about farming and the importance of local farms as you walk through it.
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STERLING Corn Maze Venue: Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm Dates: September 1, 2011 - October 31, 2011 Description: Enjoy a fun and exciting adventure while traveling through miles of paths, relax on a hayride and visit the animals in the barnyard. Visit the farm store that offers plenty of treats including farm fresh ice cream, snacks and sandwiches.
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CHAPLIN Pick-Your-Own Season Begins Venue: Chaplin Farm Dates: September 2, 2011 - November 12, 2011 Description: Pick-your-own apples including Macoun, Mutsu and many other varieties available. Pick-your-own peaches also available the first, two weeks in September.
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Haunted Hill diamond hill park September 30, 2011 - October 30, 2011 7pm-10pm Admission: $12Celebrating their 10 year anniversary. Haunted hill is Rhode Island's premier halloween attraction. Set deep in the woods of Cumberland, you and your group will be sent through some of the scariest scenes your mind can't even imagine. diamond hill park 4300 diamond hill rd cumberland, Rhode Island 401-334-9996 http://www.hauntedhill.net
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Providence Ghost Tour Prospect Terrace Park October 1, 2011 - October 31, 2011 Monday-Sunday 7pm Admission: $15 online, $18 cash in personJoin us as we lead you by lantern light through the darkened streets of the historic East Side, sharing with you stories of Providence past that will be sure to send a chill down your spine! Hope you like sleeping with a nightlight on mwuhahaha Prospect Terrace Park Congdon Street Providence, Rhode Island (401) 484-8687
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Jack O' Lantern Spectacular Roger Williams Park Zoo October 6, 2011 - October 31, 2011
Open nightly from 6 pm - 11 pm Admission: $12 adults, $10 seniors (62+), $9 children (3 – 12); kidExperience the glow of thousands of pumpkins, set in a magical display of artistry during this night-time Spectacular and feast your eyes on hundreds of artfully carved jack-o-lanterns depicting people, places and scenes from popular culture to old-time favorites and everything in between. rwpzoo.org Roger Williams Park Zoo 1000 Elmwood Avenue Providence, Rhode Island 401-785-3510 http://www.rwpzoo.org
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Connecticut Pumpkin Patches
Bishop's Orchards - Guilford, Connecticut Bishop's Orchards began offering pick-your-own produce in the 1940s, and you can pick out a pumpkin of your own daily through the end of October. In addition to pumpkins, you'll also discover mums, corn stalks, Indian Corn, gourds and other fall decorations, plus family activities such as scarecrow making.
Lyman Orchards - Middlefield, Connecticut Lyman Orchards offers pumpkins to pick from late September to late October. You'll find sugar pumpkins that are terrific for baking, plus jack-o-lantern pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes for decorating. Shop for specialty products at the Apple Barrel Market, find your way through the Corn Maze, and even play 36 holes of golf on Lyman's two courses while you're there.
Pickin' Patch - Avon, Connecticut This central Connecticut farm offers pumpkin picking from late September through October.
Massachusetts Pumpkin Patches
Clearview Farm - Sterling, Massachusetts This centuries-old farm with a "Clearview" of Mount Wachusett has been in one family for five generations. They offer wagons for transporting your pumpkin bounty in October. Pumpkin varieties include Cinderella, heirloom, Baby Pam, Sugar, Ghost, Big Mac, Tom Fox and Howdens.
Connors Farm - Danvers, Massachusetts You'll find more than just pumpkins at this farm that's just a short drive from Boston. Fall also is the time for hayrides, corn maze adventures, freshly made cider and hot apple cider donuts.
Dowse Orchards - Sherborn, Massachusetts This Boston-area family farm that's more than 200 years old boasts of thousands of pumpkins of every size and shape.
Keown Orchards - Sutton, Massachusetts Located near Worcester, this scenic farm offers pumpkin picking daily in season.
Red Apple Farm - Phillipston, Massachusetts Among its slate of family activities, Red Apple Farm offers pumpkin picking, plus weekend hayrides, farm animals, walking trails, fall weekend barbeques and more.
Shelburne Farm - Stow, Massachusetts You'll find hayrides every fall day at this Massachusetts farm, which features a number of special weekend activities, farm animals, hot mulled cider, farm-fresh ice cream and several varieties of pumpkins to pick.
Massachusetts Pick Your Own Pumpkins Guide – statewide Here's a helpful map of pick-your-own pumpkin patches statewide, from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
Rhode Island Pumpkin Patches
Salisbury Farm - Johnston, Rhode Island In addition to pumpkins, you'll find free hayrides on weekends and a challenging, five-acre corn field maze at this Rhode Island farm.
Connecticut Corn Mazes
Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm 227 Ekonk Hill Road Moosup, Connecticut 860-564-0248
Fort Hill Farms 260 Quaddick Road Thompson, Connecticut 860-923-3439
Foster Family Farm 90 Foster Street South Windsor, Connecticut 860-648-9366
Lyman Orchards [Note: Lyman has both a sunflower maze and a corn maze this year.]
Junction of Routes 147 and 157 Middlefield, Connecticut 860-349-1793
Plasko's Farm 670 Daniels Farm Road Trumbull, Connecticut 203-268-2716
Massachusetts Corn Mazes
Davis' Mega Maze 145 Redstone Hill Sterling, Massachusetts 978-422-8888
Mike's Maze at Warner Farm 23 South Main Street Sunderland, Massachusetts 413-665-8331
Rhode Island Corn Mazes
Escobar's Highland Farm 133 Middle Road Portsmouth, Rhode Island 401-683-1444
Haunted Houses
Dark Manor Haunted House - Where Terror Lives Haunted House in 06383 11952 Voted Connecticuts #1 Scariest Haunted House, 2 Seperate Attractions in One Location -Two Floors of Fright & A Graveyard/Haunted Village - Both With A Great Mix of Props, Special Effects and Actors. A Forever Evolving Maze Of Rooms, Corradors and Spaces. Be Prepared To Be Scared, No Pacemakers Advised, This Is A Professional Haunted House. Easy To Get To, Just Exit 83 Off I-395. http://www.darkmanorhauntedhouse.com
Nightmare New England & SpookyWorld! Haunted House in Litchfield One of Americas largest & most terrifying Halloween Scream Parks featuring SEVEN Haunted Attractions at one location, the Monster Midway, live music, rides, games, restaurant, bar, Zombie Paintball and more! VOTED ONE OF AMERICAS BEST HAUNTS for 2009! Over 100,000 sq. ft. of terror await you at New England's premier Halloween Scream Park! http://www.nightmarenewengland.com
Factory of Terror MA Haunted House in Fall River MA Only 40 minutes from the Connecticut border! Upscale haunted house with 30 rooms of terror. This factory building has been abandoned and haunted for the past 100 years with passageways behind the spirit filled walls and underground tunnels, one of which leads to Lizzie's bedroom where the infamous murders took place. Bring a friend! You'll see why! http://www.factoryofterror.com
Trail of Terror Haunted House in Wallingford CT "Hilariously Frightful" is the best way to describe this haunt. Winner of CT Magazine's 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 "Best of Connecticut" award. It is THE place to be in October. Come one, come all to the "Scariest Haunt in New England". http://www.trailofterror.com
PureTerror Screampark Haunted House in Chester Orange County's Largest and Scaries Haunted Screampark with 4 haunted house... Trail of Terror,House of Terror,The Butcher shop and Terror in the dark... Beyond the limits of fear http://www.pureterror.com
Lantern Tour and Haunted Woods Walk Haunted House in Coventry CT "Take a step back in time and forward in fear" The Coventry Historical Society and Ghouls of Graveside Manor present "A Hauntingly Enchanted Evening" http://www.darkwalk.net
THE HAUNTED WHITMAN INNE – A Good Old Fashioned Scare! Haunted House in Farmington CT Suitable for Ages 10 and Up Traveling through Farmington? Looking for a place to rest your bones or someone else’s? Then tour “The Haunted Whitman Inne!” Ghosts, ghouls, and gruesome figures are around every corner – you may find someone or something in your bed. Be warned, if you stay the night, you might not survive! http://www.stanleywhitman.org/Calendar.Details.asp?ID=227&Cat=Visit
Seasonal Activities-
Diana: A Celebration September 16, 11:00 AMCLOSE $25 BUY TICKETS Venue: Great Cedar Exhibition Hall Program Length: NA. Rating: NA September 16 - January 15, 2012 Foxwoods - Great Cedar Exhibition Hall A Wife, a Mother, a Princess, a Legend. Rarely is an exhibition as remarkable as the life which lies behind it. Direct from the Althorp Estate in England, the ancestral home of the Spencer Family, comes more than 150 personal objects celebrating the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales, including her royal wedding gown, 28 designer dresses, family heirlooms, personal mementos, and rare home movies. An Award-winning Exhibition - Exclusive Northeastern Engagement Sunday - Thursday: 11am - 8pm (last admission sold at 7pm) Friday & Saturday: 11am - 10pm (last admission sold at 9pm)
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Goodspeed Opera House- City of Angels- Swinging, sexy, smart, and funny! An ingenious spoof of 1940s Hollywood and whodunit films with side-by-side stories about the “real” world of a detective fiction writer and the “reel” world of his fictional gumshoe hero. One balances romance and rewrites, while the other slinks through a film noir netherworld of thugs and femmes fatales. Winner of tons of Tony Awards, it’s a witty detective thriller with a jazzy score that really kills. A smart comedy from the writer of the hit TV series "M*A*S*H" - it's like a Bogey and Bacall movie come to life! Goodspeed Opera House
September 23- - November 27
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