By Patte Smith

Castle Pines Trick or Treat Street
Once again the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Trick or Treat Street for the children of Castle Pines. Bring your ghosts and goblins to trick or treat at businesses throughout Castle Pines from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Halloween evening, October 31.

Family Fun Night
The Rock, formerly Church of the Rock is hosting Family Fun Night from 5:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. on Halloween night at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Events Center. Dress in costume and enjoy a carnival and inflatable games, a cake walk, a giant slide, a bounce house, a petting zoo, and a car bash. Participants are asked to bring a canned food item for the Douglas County Task Force. For information, www.douglascountyfairgrounds/eventcenter.

Castle Rock Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest will be celebrated at Festival Park in Castle Rock on Saturday, October 6. More than 70 food, craft and vendor booths will provide a fun family event including kids’ activities, great shopping opportunities, live German bands and beer – the quintessential Oktoberfest experience. Join in the fun from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Festival Park and along Second and Perry streets.

Castle Rock Trick or Treat Street
Trick or Treat Street in downtown Castle Rock will be held on Halloween afternoon, October 31, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Kids can trick or treat at downtown businesses and there will be costume contests and a pumpkin patch at this safe Halloween event.

Castle of Terror – Tower of the Dead
Castle of Terror-Tower of the Dead will be open 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for two weekends in a row, Friday and Saturday nights, October 19-20 and October 26-27 at the Castle Rock Fire Training Tower. Local residents can experience a horrifying scare without having to drive all the way to Denver. This event is not recommended for young children. For all the above mentioned activities in Castle Rock, go to www.crgov.com.

Wildlife Experience Movie and a Martini
Movie and a Martini at the Wildlife Experience is a sure hit for adults who would like to view the bloodcurdling movie, “Poltergeist.” Cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m. featuring tasty treats and delicious martinis. Visitors can also enjoy the fine art and interactive exhibit galleries. At 7:30 p.m., guests can grab some popcorn and take their seats for a terrifying presentation. More information is online at www.thewildlifeexperience.org.

Denver Botanic Gardens Pumpkin Festival
A three-day pumpkin festival at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield runs from October 12 to 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located at 8500 West Deer Creek Canyon Road in Littleton, this is a full day of family fun. Don’t forget to bring your wagon to the 10-acre pumpkin patch. Stroll around and enjoy the festival and stop by the spectacular Corn Maze right next door. Younger children can wind their way through a special Mini-Maze designed just for them.

Ghost in the Gardens
Denver Botanic Gardens was once a part of the City Cemetery in mid-1800s, which included Cheesman and Congress Park. Join the staff for Ghost in the Gardens as they tell the true story of the Gardens’ macabre history, and recount decades of the paranormal through eyewitness reports from past and present. This chilling affair is on October 19, 20, 21, 26, and 28 from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Children 12 years og age and older are welcome. This tour is not recommended for children younger than 12.  For information on all of the Botanic Gardens events, go online to www.botanicgardens.org.

Boo at the Zoo
The 28th annual Boo at the Zoo offers more than 25 trick-or-treat stations, creepy crawly animal demonstrations and exciting family-friendly entertainment under the canopy of the beautiful fall foliage of Denver Zoo. The event is on Saturday, October 27 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Boo After Dark at the Denver Zoo is on October 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Information can be found online at www.denverzoo.org.