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10/12/2016 07:00 AMHalloween is creeping up as October chills the air and fall colors the trees. No matter how you like to celebrate Halloween, there are events for every taste along the shoreline as we count down to Oct. 31.
Fright Night
There are plenty of options for people who are looking for spooky spots this season. From trolleys and trails to houses and hayrides, anyone looking for a frightening night out can find a haunt.
Every Friday and Saturday night throughout the month of October, weather-permitting, guests can take a trolley to the Haunted Isle at the Shoreline Trolley Museum in East Haven. Now in its seventh year, last year’s Haunted Isle scared more than 20,000 people throughout its duration.
“It keeps getting bigger every year and that energizes us more and more every year,” says Patty Guarnieri, who has managed the event with her husband Ian Robertson for the past five years. “I love seeing everyone so excited and having so much fun.”
It takes about 120 volunteers to put on the Haunted Isle. After taking the trolley into the yard where there are food trucks and concessions available, guests await their time on the trail where 23 different scenes are waiting along the 45-minute walk through the woods.
“I like it because it’s so different and taking the trolley ride in is really unique for a haunted attraction,” says Guarnieri, who has always loved Halloween. “Being scared just gets your adrenaline going. It’s so scary that people fall on the ground or have to get walked out screaming and crying. The actors really interact with the guests and the scenes change every year. It’s a blast.”
Other haunted attractions in the area include Creeperum Haunted House in Hamden and Trail of Terror in Wallingford, which is staffed entirely by volunteers and donates all proceeds to local charities. The Trail of Terror is an outdoor attraction.
There are also a number of special events at local organizations, including and Halloween Hysterics at Henry’s in Guilford on Saturday, Oct. 22 and Halloween Knights on consecutive Saturdays, Oct. 15, 22, and 29 as part of the Connecticut Renaissance Faire at the North Haven Fairgrounds.
Visitors should bring a flashlight to the Henry Whitfield State Museum for Halloween Hysterics at Henry’s to explore the building with the lights off on a self-guided tour. The home was built in 1639 and is Connecticut’s oldest house. There will be scavenger hunts, craft activities, displays about the Whitfield connection to the Salem witch trials and the Guilford Green graveyards, and more.
The Connecticut Renaissance Faire, which runs on weekends throughout October, focuses on the dark ages for Halloween Knights. From 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 15, 22, and 29, the festival becomes a haunted village that features zombies, jack-o-lantern displays, costume contests, trick-or-treating, and a haunted joust.
Ghost Stories
With Connecticut history dating back to the early 1600s, there are plenty of legends and lore to be shared.
The Clinton Historical Society hosts its annual Ghost Walks on Wednesday, Oct. 26 and Thursday, Oct. 27 with three one-hour tours each night. The tours lead guests past historic homes, stopping in Old Brick (1750) and the Stanton House (1792) eventually winding through the Indian River Cemetery with ancient burial grounds dating back to 1675.
“Under torch light, the actors of Kidz Konnection bring the haunting scenes from some of Clinton’s most illustrious citizens buried there to life,” says Richard Manley, the public relations chairman of the Clinton Historical Society. “It’s a mix of folklore and real history.”
More local lore, as well as ghostly tales, are featured at the Connecticut River Museum in Essex with its Haunted River Tours on Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29. The theatrical production will be led by a “River Spirit” who will lead visitors to each scene, which features phantoms, Captain Kidd, and more. New London’s Flock Theatre Company will present a shadow puppet show.
While Salem, Massachusetts, was best known for the witch trials in the 1600s, the trials and executions of witches in Connecticut actually occurred first, according to the Connecticut Historical Society’s website (chs.org). On Monday, Oct. 24, the Connecticut Historical Society will share the stories from Connecticut’s history at the North Haven Memorial Library. Librarian Pat LaTerza recommends registering for the free event as she is expecting it to be at capacity.
“It’s that time of year that people are looking for programs about Halloween and witches,” says LaTerza. “With this program, people can come out and listen to what happened with the witches in Connecticut.”
Tony Spera, son-in-law of famous ghost-hunters Ed and Lorraine Warren, will explore his in-laws’ case files at Southern Connecticut State University’s Lyman Center on Friday, Oct. 28. He will share paranormal images, voice recordings, and ghost-hunting stories.
Costume Parties
Costumes aren’t just for kids and there are several Halloween parties and dances for adults only. Adults can enjoy foods, drinks, music, and other entertainment, while donning costumes at Saint Clements Castle & Marina in Portland on Friday, Oct. 21, Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown on Friday, Oct. 28, and at Powder Ridge Park in Middlefield on Saturday, Oct. 29.
The annual Castle Masquerade Ball at Saint Clements Castle is a traditional masquerade ball that draws hundreds of guests, according to Amanda Delzio, vice president of marketing and communications.
“We have some spooky decorations in the original horse stables of the castle, but guests truly enjoy dressing extravagantly to suit the theme,” says Delzio. “This event has been an extreme hit for three years now.”
The Halloween Vampire Ball is held in the lodge at Powder Ridge, which is decorated as an outdoor forest. The event will feature dinner, dancing, live music, psychic readings, costume contests, and more. “There will be haunted or fun stations located throughout the property with bonfires roaring on base mountain,” says Laura Loffredo, director of sales and marketing.
Family Fun
Of course, who looks forward to Halloween more than children? The 2016 season offers plenty of chances for kids to dress up in their costumes and fill their sacks with candy.
The Little Red Barn and Pumpkin Patch is open throughout October at Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford. On Thursday, Oct. 27, there will be a Halloween parade. All ages are welcome and prizes will be awarded in 10 costume categories.
Families can also check out tons of scarecrows throughout October as Guilford, Branford, and Madison will all feature scarecrow contests with Guilford and Branford’s on their town greens and Madison’s in the downtown area.
The Branford Garden Club is preparing for its sixth annual Scarecrows on the Green exhibition. Themed scarecrows will be designed by local businesses, organizations, schools, families, and individuals and remain on display from Friday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 6.
The Madison Chamber of Commerce’s scarecrow competition is in its seventh year. Scarecrows will remain on display through the first week in November with voting open from Friday, Oct. 14 to Friday, Oct. 28.
The Shoreline Chamber of Commerce’s Scarecrow Contest on the Guilford Green begins on Saturday, Oct. 15 and the scarecrows will be on display through the beginning of November. The winner of the contest will be announced at the Halloween Spooktacular on Sunday, Oct. 30.
Guilford Park and Recreation and Guilford Youth & Family Services joined forces to bring the Spooktacular to the community. In addition to a Trunk or Treat, there will also be a DJ, inflateables, activities, and Ashley’s ice cream sundaes on the green.
In addition to announcing the scarecrow contest winner at the Spooktacular, the winner of the Halloween window painting contest will also be announced. Various groups, organizations, and school team up with local business to decorate downtown windows for the Halloween season.
The winner of the Madison Chamber of Commerce’s scarecrow contest is announced at the Chamber’s Trunk or Treat, which is Monday, Oct. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m. on the Madison Town Green. The police department hands out candy, the Chamber serves cider, and the Republican Town Committee grills hot dogs.
The Madison Police Department began Trunk or Treat when Hurricane Sandy knocked out the power on Halloween in 2012. Seeing the success of the event, the Chamber took it over the following year and it has become a tradition for many in town.
“People were so happy with the first one that we wanted to continue it,” says Banisch. “It’s a safe alternative to going to door to door. Everyone really enjoys it.”
In Clinton, trick or treating will take a trip to the mall courtesy of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce and Shoreline Community Women Trunk or Treat at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets on Friday, Oct. 28 starting at 4:30 p.m. Participants can decorate their car to give out candy, bring their children for a night of fun, or do both (prizes will be given out for best costume and best trunk). To register a trunk, call the Chamber at 860-669-3889.