When October comes around in New England young minds and parents prepare for Halloween. Whether it means costumes, pumpkins or candy, or a visit to the local haunted mansion, the excitement level is fever-pitched for all.

For those living in southern New England a feast of spectacles is planned throughout the month. Here’s a selection of family favorites that never fail to please…

Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular

The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular returns to Rhode Island this year at Pawtucket’s McCoy Stadium. More than 5,000 pumpkins will be on show from October 13 – 31.

A team of over 30 professional pumpkin carvers spend six weeks creating the pumpkin trail, resulting in a truly fascinating display featuring special lighting, musical themes, and over 150,000 pounds of jack o’ lanterns carved with painstaking detail and amazing artistry. Traditional Halloween jack o’ lanterns will abound along with several baseball inspired themes that will help bring the Spectacular alive inside McCoy.

Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $7.50 for children ages 3 to 12. The event is open, rain or shine, from 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm on Friday & Saturday evenings and from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm on Sunday through Thursday nights. The last entry into McCoy is 45 minutes prior to closing.

Fright Fest at Six Flags New England

Want to see something really scary?

Then head on over to Six Flags New England in Agawan, Massachusetts, where the summer theme park is open at weekends in October for its annual crowd-pleasing look at the dark-side of ghosts and ghouls and fun characters for the younger ones.

Many of the favorite haunted themes return but with new twists, and a boatload of new screams and thrills as well. Nightmare Island and Trail of Terror are adrenaline-rushed scary wanders through mutants and surprise folks who just want to scare the pants off you! But there’s too many other places to visit to list here.

If frights are what you’re after then this is the place for you at weekends in October.

Keene Pumpkin Festival

Keene in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire holds the world record for number of pumpkins displayed in one place – 28,952 set in 2003 at the fall festival.

Apart from the amazing and magnificently carved pumpkins the festival includes a craft fair, an ocean of street vendors, a rock climbing wall, and an after-dark fireworks display. Kids of all ages can take part in a costume parade, and special booths for the young include face-painting, balloons, jack tattoos, and glo necklaces.

This year’s event will be held on October 21 between 10:00am – 10:00pm. Entry is free.

Salem - The Spookiest Town of All?

I think so because… it’s real! Well, witches and hauntings have been a part of the Massachusetts seaport of Salem since 17th century and the puritan trails of that era.

The Salem Haunted Happenings 2006 will begin on October 5th and will continue through October 31st with events that could keep you entertained for the entire month! All the events and attractions can be found in historic downtown Salem, which will make it easy for you to walk from one place to the next. Bring your walking shoes and experience as much of Salem as possible during America’s Halloween Festival.

The museums, attractions, haunted houses and tours extend their operating hours during the month of October so you can take in even more of the sites in Salem. The streets will be bustling with merchants, dramatic productions, psychic fairs and games. Haunted Happenings caters to revelers of all ages and interests and everyone will find something to stay entertained.

Special Halloween events are planned at the Witch Museum, House of the Seven Gables, Witch Dungeon, the Pirate Museum, and a myriad of haunted houses along the walking and trolley tour.

For more information and a free brochure you can download go to the official web site at http://www.hauntedhappenings.org/.

And just in case you hadn’t noticed fall has spectacular scenery in New England and a visit to any of these places can be combined with a scenic drive or a crisp late afternoon walk along leaf-laden streets. For more details on autumn activities in New England check out my special fall foliage in New England page by clicking here.

More events for you to check out in a few days, so happy hauntings!

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Vacations Guide