SPOOKTACULAR Get ghastly and ghostly at Halloween events

Plan on a spooktacular weekend. As Halloween approaches, there are many events planned for young and old. The following list, in alphabetical order by community, will help you make plans for yourself or your young ghosts and goblins. If you don't see your community event in this list and want to add it, please email the information to news@fosters.com with Halloween Events in the subject line.

ALTON — A pumpkin lighting event and contest will be held at the Town Hall on Saturday, Oct. 26. Those wishing to enter the contest with their own carved pumpkins should setup between 5 and 5:30 p.m. on the day of. Pumpkins will be lit between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m. and judging will be conducted between 5:45 and 6:15 p.m. The winner will be announced at 6:30 p.m. For a complete list of rules, go to altonnh.gov.

BARRINGTON — On Saturday, Oct. 26, the Recreation Department will host Kids Kaos, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the town gym. The event, geared for children of all ages, will feature fall-themed crafts, carnival-style games, pumpkin painting, prizes, and a bounce house. Tickets for the event are $3 per family. Participants can prebuy their tickets at the recreation office until Oct. 24.

■ Also on Oct. 26, the Recreation Department is hosting Trunk or Treat, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The free event provides a safe and fun way for families to enjoy Halloween, with children enjoying trick-or-treating by going from trunk to trunk to receive prepackaged candy from costumed car owners. Plenty of candy and spooky, fun decorated vehicles will be featured. Vehicle owners wishing to participate are asked to dress in costume and decorate their cars, and join the fun. Registration is required to participate. All cars are welcome. A contest will be held for the best decorated car, and winners will receive spooky prizes. To register, download the Car Registration Application available through the Recreation Department website, and return it to the Recreation office by Oct. 24.

■ A free costume contest will also take place on Oct. 26, at the town gym. Preschool and kindergartners will compete at 5:45 p.m.; first and second graders will compete at 6 p.m.; third and fourth graders will compete at 6:15 p.m.; fifth and sixth graders will compete at 6:30 p.m.; and seventh and eighth graders will compete at 6:45 p.m. Prizes will be awarded according to age group categories. Local celebrity judges will also be featured at the costume contest.

BERWICK, Maine — The 7th annual Trunk-N-Treat will be held at the Berwick Town Hall, located at 11 Sullivan St. and Sullivan Square, on Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event features goody bags filled with a variety of goodies and gadgets from trunks in the parking lot. There will be healthy sandwiches, snacks and soup in the lobby. Canned goods and other nonperishable food items will also be collected at the Town Hall for the local food pantry for families in need. Downtown businesses are all invited to participate again this year. Trunk-N-Treat is sponsored by Berwick Recreation and Berwick Reads. Donations of goodies, sandwiches, soups, healthy snacks and drinks are welcome and needed. For more information call Berwick Recreation at (207) 698-1101, ext. 117, or email ktaylor@berwickmaine.org.

DOVER — The Longhill Dog Park in Dover is hosting its Halloween fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (raindate Sunday, Oct. 27). This event hosts a Halloween costume contest for the dogs. There is a $2 registration fee and categories for funniest, scariest, best little dog costume, best big dog costume, and best overall. Judging begins at noon.

You can also look forward to a bake sale, T-shirt sale, and 50/50 raffle. All proceeds benefit the park. Come one, come all! This event is free and open to the public. For additional information or to make a donation please contact Beth Wittenberg 207-337-4072.

■ The 8th Annual Dover Zombie Walk will begin at the Chamber of Commerce at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, including a costume contest.

■ The Children's Museum hosts a Not-So-Spooky Spectacular on Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum at 6 Washington St. Activities include nonfood trick or treating, hands-on science experiments, tours of the museum's decorated 'bat cave' and more.

DURHAM — The Parks and Recreation Department will host a “Spooktacular Day” at Jackson's Landing on Old Piscataqua Road Friday, Oct. 25, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. A storyteller will be present. Pumpkin carving, cookie decorating, games, prizes and candy will all be part of the free, family oriented evening. Churchill rink will be open for ice skating during the event.

This popular event, held in the Hennessy Theatre at the Paul Creative Arts Center, showcases UNH students from puppetry, creative drama and storytelling classes, while offering the public a safe alternative to trick-or-treating during the Halloween season. Although all are welcome, the evening is geared toward children in preschool to grade 3.

Space is limited for this free event. Reservations can be made by visiting www.unh.edu, searching for “Spooky Stories” and following the links.

For more information call Nancy Pearson at 862-2150.

ELIOT, Maine — Raitt Homestead Farm Museum will host a fundraising Trail of Terror on Friday and Saturday nights, dusk to 10 p.m., from Oct. 18 to Oct. 26. Located at 2077 State Road, there will be a haunted trail, tractor drawn wagon rides, bonfire, ghoulish treats, hot apple cider and more for all who dare to visit. The cost is $6 per person and 100% of the proceeds will benefit the children's programs and restoration of the Milk House Project, one of 14 ongoing restoration projects at the Farm Museum. More information can be found online at www.raittfarmmuseum.org, on their Facebook, or by calling (207) 748-3303 or sending an email to info@raittfarmmuseum.org.

■ The Eliot Community Service Department will host its annual Youth Halloween party and costume contest on Friday, Oct. 25 at the Eliot Elementary School Gymnasium. There will be games and refreshments with a walk to follow for the older students in the haunted woods behind the school. For little ghouls in Kindergarten and below, the event will run between 5:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Older gremlins, in grades 1 through 3, are welcome from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. and those in grades 4 through 8 who dare to walk the haunted trail should visit from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Those participating in the costume contest should start planning now as 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes will be awarded to each age group along with an adult costume contest again this year. A $1 donation per person, or $5 donation per family, is suggested. Canned or nonperishable items will also be collected to donate to Foot Prints Food Pantry for the upcoming holiday season.

FARMINGTON — The public is both invited and encouraged to attend the Fall Festival on Friday, Nov. 1. The festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. with a costume parade where children can show off their kooky and spooky costumes, while collecting treats along the way. Later in the evening, from 6 to 8 p.m., there will be a costume contest, games, and food.

■ The town is encouraging local businesses to get involved in the fun too. A scarecrow decorating contest is being held townwide. To get in on the fun, businesses can build their own scarecrow and call the Recreation Dept. at 755- 2405 to enter. The department will be traveling around to view and submissions on Oct. 24.

■ The Farmington 500 Boys and Girls Club and the Farmington Art Boosters will be hosting a Scary Walk at Paulson Field on the Oct. 18 and 19 as well as Oct. 25 and 26. The walks are tailored to be age appropriate for the crowd going through it and will run each night from 5 to 9 p.m. Each walk is $5 per person with the proceeds going to support athletic programs for the 500 and music art and drama in our schools.

KITTERY, Maine — This year, Take Flight Aerial Adventures, at 506 Route 1, will host the town's long-running tradition, Night Terrors. Since its being hosted at Take Flight, there will also be zip lining zombies and lots of other attractions, including a haunted woods, bonfires and palm and tarot card readings. The event opened Sunday, Oct. 13, and will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 25, 26, 30, 31 and Nov. 1. The public is invited to Night Terrors and admission is $12. For more information, find the event on Facebook or call (207) 439-8838.

LEBANON, Maine — On Oct. 26, the town is hosting a “Trunk-or-treat” event from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Lebanon Elementary School. Children are welcome to go trick-or-treating from trunk to trunk, collecting candy from decorated vehicles. Car owners wishing to participate should register by contacting Georgie Allen at 207-837-2138 or emailing geoharley67@gmail.com.

■ On Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, the Lebanon Rescue Department is hosting its seventh annual Halloween Open House and Halloween festival, being held from 5 to 7 p.m., at the station at 1524 Carl Broggi Highway. The event will include a costume contest for children, a coloring contest, lots of candy and treats, arts and crafts, Halloween children's games, tours of emergency vehicles, coloring books, helmets, and safety handouts for children, and digital pictures of the children for family members. The Monster Mud Truck, called “Over Budget,” will be on display and sporting a special Halloween costume. The event is free to attend.

LEE — Come all spooky ghosts and goblins! Join us for the Mast Way Elementary School Halloween social for music, games, fun and grossology! Enjoy a Monster Mash DJ, Spooky Courtyard, face painting and goodie bags. Join students from the UNH Chemistry department in Frankenstein's Lab and Grossology Room. With game ghouls as attendants, come enjoy a mummy wrap, skull head bowling, painting of gourds, guessing jars, can jam, pumpkin pong and the Wheel of Misfortune. Hope to see you to share in the holiday! The event takes place on Friday, Oct. 25, from 6-8 p.m. at Mast Way School, 23 Mast Road, Lee.

■ Join BOLP Paintball for our paintball Zombie Walk. Test your zombie hunting skills. Come see if you have what it takes to survive the zombie apocalypse. You will be guided on a 20 minute tour of where the outbreak began, armed with paintball guns and enough ammo to take on a small army of zombies. The question is will you survive or will you be dinner?

The event is on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 7-10 p.m. The last tour leaves at 9:30 p.m. The location is 114 mast road Lee, NH, 03861, Phone: (603) 765-9852, Email: nminer@bolppaintball.com

MADBURY — No events that we know of. If you know of one, please send it to news@fosters.com with Halloween events in the subject line.

MIDDLETON — The Recreation Dept. is hosting a Halloween party on Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is free to the public. A haunted trick-or-treat walk will be held, where costumed children will parade. Anyone wishing to share treats in encouraged to do so during the walk. The event will feature a 45-minute Mad Scientist show. Costumes are not required for the party.

MILTON — Local families are invited to an afternoon of fun Halloween festivities on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Nute High School gym and cafeteria. Jointly staged by the Recreation Department and the PTA, activities include a parent/child costume contest, pumpkin decorating contest, Halloween crafts, ghoulish games; monstrous dancing contests, and other assorted Halloween activities. Trophies will be awarded in three categories for each contest — funniest, spookiest and best in show.

NEW DURHAM — The townwide celebration is Thursday, Oct. 31, from 5-7 p.m.

■ The New Durham Recreation Department is sponsoring two events. On Saturday, Oct. 26, beginning at 6:30 p.m. there is a “Pre-Halloween” at the old Town Meeting House on Old Bay Road. Visitors will greet special historical occupants in the meeting house and them tours will follow along spooky walking trails near the Meeting House.

■ One Friday, Nov. 1, from 5:30-7 p.m. the Rec Department sponsors the annual children's Walk of the Halls of the New Durham School.

■ New Durham School children have their annual parade from the school to the town hall and back on Friday, Nov. 1, at 1:30 p.m.

NEWINGTON — The Fox Run Mall at 50 Fox Run Road in Newington will hold the Halloween “Boo Bash!” from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. Kidgit Members are invited to come to the Sears Center Court for the event. Kidgit members can enjoy Halloween crafts and activities including candy stations and costume photo opportunities. To add to the fun, 20th Century Fox will also be celebrating the blu-ray and DVD release of The Croods, Monsters vs. Aliens: Cloning Around, Dragons Riders of Berk Part 1 and Part 2, and Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/FoxRunMall.

NEWMARKET — Newmarket Recreation's Annual Halloween Haunt will be more festive than ever this year with additional “SPOOKTACULA” activities, according to organizers. Participants are welcome to celebrate this frightfully festive holiday on Main Street in support of local businesses and the Newmarket community. The festival begins on Saturday, Oct. 26, with Festive Family Fun from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Family fun festive activities begin downtown on the waterfront at Schanda Park. There will be a variety of free fun, somewhat spooky activities, games, candy and prizes, and of course, Trick or Treating at many of the businesses located on Main Street.

The Costume Winner Showcase is from 5-5:30 p.m. Register anytime between 3:30-4:30 p.m. Winners announced at 5 p.m. Age categories: baby, toddler, preschool, kindergarten — 1st, 2nd-3rd, 4th-6th, teen, adult and best family theme.

The Glowing Goblins Parade will be from 5:30-6 p.m. This year our Glowing Goblins Costume Parade on Main Street will be held at the end of the day (twilight) and start at Schanda Park then loop back down Main Street. Join in or watch from the sidewalk as all the Newmarket Glowing Ghosts, Goblins & Ghouls march down Main Street with illuminated lanterns and glow in the dark paraphernalia compliments of our many sponsors.

The Jack-O'-Lantern Spooktacula will be from 6-9 p.m. The Jack-O'-Lantern Spooktacula will begin during the day with our Great Pumpkin Free Carve Contest for ages 14 and over. Or if you wish, you may bring a pre-carved Jack-O'-Lantern and also enter the Best Pre-Carved Jack-O'-Lantern Contest. All the Jack-O'-Lanterns including the free carves, professional carved and pre-carved will be in full glow by the time the parade is over an winners in all categories will be awarded.

The Great Pumpkin Free Carve on-site:

Carving begins at 3:15-5:15 p.m. (2 hours to carve). Must be 14 years or older. There will be limited pumpkins available. You may bring your own pumpkin.

The Great Pre-Carved Pumpkin Contest: Age categories: kids up to 12 years, teens 13-17 years and adults 18-plus. Bring pre-carved Jack-O'-Lanterns down to the waterfront (Schanda Park). All entries must be submitted by 5:15 p.m.

All judging will take place at dusk (during the parade). Winners will be announced immediately following the costume parade when all the Jack-O'-Lanterns are a glow along the waterfront.

NORTH BERWICK, Maine — The North Berwick Parks & Recreation Department will sponsor its Halloween Howler on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the downtown Mill Field area. At 4 p.m. “Henry the Juggler” will perform at the Fire Station. A Halloween parade around town will begin at 5 p.m. featuring a costume contest where mystery judges will choose the winners and announce them afterward. There will be a Halloween scene setup in the Gazebo for photo opportunities, carnival games inside the Fire Station, a free craft area, tractor-pulled hayrides around downtown, a “Spooky Tent” and fortune teller in the Mill Field area and refreshments at the American Legion all from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

NORTHWOOD — On Oct. 25, the Northwood School is hosting a PTA Halloween dance, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the school cafeteria.

PORTSMOUTH — Marching into its 19th year, the Portsmouth Halloween Parade will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. This grassroots, all-inclusive alternative to contemporary Halloween is “striving always to strip the plastic back out of the holidays fantastic, it is a celebration of community, creativity, resourcefulness and free expression which walks, stalks, dances, trumpets and drums its way through downtown Portsmouth New Hampshire each year on Oct. 31,” according to the parade website. The parade is entirely funded by the community, which rallies a number of benefits to raise funds to cover expenses of insurance, permits and police escort. “Hundreds march in costume, thousands cheer from the sidelines, it's always a spectacle from either side of the curb,” the website says.

Organizers say they encouraged “all manner of jack-out-of-the-box thinking” but there are a few guidelines, dictated sometimes by the city, occasionally by the insurers, and mostly by common sense:

“The parade is always held on Oct. 31, rain or moonshine. The mob will converge on Peirce Island at 6-ish, caper about as the sun goes down, and march away into the night at 7. We gather by the water at Peirce Island from 6 to 7 p.m., with procession to begin at 7 p.m. Leave over the Mechanic Street bridge (becoming known as “Heartbreak Hill”), with views of the Portsmouth Fishing Pier on one side, and the scenic South End on the other. Proceed past Point of Graves Burial Ground, turning right onto Marcy Street and between Strawbery Banke and Prescott Park to State Street intersection. Turn left onto Court Street taking the immediate right onto State, and proceeding around the parking lot to Bow Street, down to Market, proceeding through Market Square, past the North Church to Fleet Street. Turn left on Fleet, left again onto the length of State Street to conclude at Prescott Park, where musical acts and larger participating groups will be invited to continue performing at a wild rumpus at the end.”

There are no motorized vehicles allowed. Open flames are forbidden (but pitchforks are ok, go figure). Don't throw rocks. Or candy. Seriously, bring treats to pass out to the throng, but don't just chuck stuff into the crowd. Everyone, and we mean everyone is invited! As you consider your wardrobe, remember that there will be young folk, old folk, freaks and, well, police officers all walking with you. Have fun with it, but reasonable standards of public decency and decorum still apply.

While the parade applauds all forms of free expression, it is not intended to be a political rally or a commercial opportunity. Expect the pressing of outside agendas to be frowned upon, unless deployed with humor, ingenuity, and within the creative, celebrational spirit of the event.

The parade itself accepts no corporate sponsorship of any kind, and corporate logos or banners will not be welcomed on the march. That stated, we still need to cover expenses, so sponsorships of the fundraising events are available, (necessary) and heartily encouraged.”

■ Come and meet the Ghosts on the Banke at Strawbery Banke's famous Halloween celebration on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26 from 6-8 p.m. Long-dead sea captains, 17th century shopkeepers and wayward pirates haunt the streets of Portsmouth's oldest neighborhood as you trick or treat safely from house to historic house. For tickets, click here. $7 per person (adult or child over 1 year old; children 1 or under, free). Half-price admission for members.

ROCHESTER — On Friday, Oct. 25, Rochester Main Street is hosting the fourth annual Zombie Walk, and the fifth annual Horribles Parade/Trick Or Treat On the Town.

The popular Horribles Parade/Trick Or Treat On The Town will take place from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m., in the heart of downtown, with costumed children under 10 years old going door to door at the local businesses for treats. On hand will be strolling entertainment. Participants are asked to gather in the Union Street parking lot at 4:15 p.m. to pick up treat bags and maps indicating participating businesses. Bags and maps will be available at Factory Court until 5:15 p.m.

This year's Zombie Walk for teens and adults is underwritten by Bank of New Hampshire. Students from Corinne's School of Dance, Dance in Motion, Sole City Dance, and Studio 109 will be performing an ongoing choreographed number along the route from the Union Street parking lot to the Rochester Common. Banner carriers and torchbearers are needed. Participants are asked to gather at the Union Street parking lot no later than 6:45 p.m. to line up for 7 p.m.

Police will escort the walk down Union, North Main, and South Main streets to the Common, where they will be treated to cider and doughnuts and, of course, “brains” for the zombies. Local DJ John Cox will host a “Monster Mash” until 8:45 p.m. Group participation and drummers/horns and bell ringers are welcomed, and are asked to preregister by contacting the Main Street office. Volunteers are needed to help with the Horribles Parade and during the Zombie Walk. Those interested in volunteering are asked to contact the Rochester Main Street office at 330-3208 or email director@rochestermainstreet.org.

ROLLINSFORD — The Rollinsford Public Library will host two special Halloween Story Times. On Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 6 p.m., children are invited to come in costume to hear Halloween stories and make a special craft. Preschoolers are invited to do the same on Monday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. These times are both free and open to the public.

The Association for Rollinsford Culture and History will host its Haunted Happenings at the Colonel Paul Wentworth House, located at 47 Water St., on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. There will be activities appropriate for all ages, including outdoor games such as toss the ring on the witch's hat, douse the jack-o-lantern with a water pistol, toss bones in the caldron, as well as flashing lights, scary music, a ghoul in the root cellar, and possibly a fortune and story teller. Visit if you dare and come in costume if you'd like. There will be light refreshments and donations are greatly appreciated at the door.

SOMERSWORTH — The Idlehurst PTA will sponsor a Spooktacular Costume Party at the school on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. A $5 donation is suggested per family. Music and equipment is being provided by Skybox Entertainment Group.

■ The Somersworth Youth Safe Haven, located at 17 Bartlett Ave., will host its Halloween party on Friday, Oct. 25, in the gym from 4:30-5:30 p.m. All Safe Haven kids are invited to come in costume, but are reminded that little ones will be in attendance as well, so don't dress too scary. There will be games, activities, food tasting, treats and fun. Parents, grandparents and siblings are invited to join as well.

■ The Somersworth Public Library, located at 25 Main St., will host a Halloween story hour on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 11:15 a.m. Children are invited to come in costume to hear scary stories, make spooky spiders out of pipe cleaners and beads and of course eat some Halloween treats.

■ The Somersworth Middle School will host “Scary Stories Night” on Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. Students can submit scary stories or poems, with optional hand-drawn illustrations, until Friday, Oct. 25. Staff are also invited to participate in submitting their own creations. The winners of the writing contest will read their creations on this family night complete with trick-or-treating, awards, a costume contest and refreshments. Somersworth Youth Connection and Title I are sponsoring the event. There is no cost to attend.

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — The South Berwick Public Library at 27 Young St. will also be handing out candy to trick-or-treaters on Wednesday, Oct. 30, after the Halloween parade.

■ What's better than a horse dressed up as a pirate? Christopher Robin a Welsh pony, will don a pirates hat for Lyman Hill Farm's annual “Trick or Trot” open house from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27.

The South Berwick farm welcomes children of all ages to come and meet Christopher Robin and seven other horses, which include Welsh ponies and a miniature horse. “I really love to see the children's eyes light up as they experience the horses,” says Gayle Gardner, who has run Lyman Hill Farm for 6 years. Through birthday parties, summer camps, lessons, as well as festivals, fundraisers and company picnics, Gardner and her staff share their equine love with the Seacoast community.

This fall's “Trick or Trot” features a scavenger hunt, raffles, pony rides, face painting and games. All proceeds will benefit the West Kennebunk Animal Welfare Society, a non-profit group dedicated to animal adoption.

■ The annual Halloween parade will kickoff an evening of trick-or-treat on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The parade will begin at the Community Center at 5:30 p.m. and make its way to Central School where trick-or-treaters will disperse off into the night in search of goodies.

■ The annual Halloween Fright Party will be held at the Senior Center on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Tickets for the party went on sale Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. There will be spooktacular entertainment by Terrie Collins at 11 a.m., a frightfully delicious lunch will be served at noon and a costume parade will follow. Prizes will be awarded to the scariest, most original, funniest and judges choice. There will be some hauntingly awesome raffle prizes. The suggested donation for the party is $7 for members and $8 for nonmembers.

STRAFFORD — On Oct. 26, the Strafford School is hosting Pumpkin Hollow, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. This family friendly annual event features games, a haunted walk, and plenty of food.

WAKEFIELD — With Halloween quickly approaching, many are getting creative to create new costumes. The Recreation Dept. is hosting a costume swap. Those interested can drop by during business hours to drop off used but quality costumes and swap them for others. The swap is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, through Oct. 29.

■ On Friday, Oct. 25, the community is invited to enjoy a costume dance party at the Paul School from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be snacks, games, and a dance contest. The event is just $2 per person, with a maximum of $10 per family.