It was a dusky dark, chilly October evening. Inside the house, the Jack O’ Lanterns were carved and lit, their seedy, slimy orange goopy guts laying in a bowl on top of the table, and pairs of little eyes were looking up at their parents asking, “So, now what are we going to do?” These little goblins, wondered Mom and Dad, what do they want from me with their insatiable desire for Halloween activities?
It’s Tri-Town! There are plenty of haunted happenings in the area to get your Halloween on!
The Mattapoisett Free Library has an extra creepy Halloween-themed event guaranteed to deliver some exciting paradigm-shattering fun just in time for the spooky season! Insect aficionado and entomophagist (someone who eats bugs) David Gracer is coming to Mattapoisett, and he is bringing some of his crispy, crunchy, nutty-tasting critter friends with him for a presentation called “Are You Brave Enough to Eat a Bug?”
Well, are you? Watch Gracer eat bugs right in front of you and maybe you yourself will get a chance to sample a crunchy cricket or luscious larvae. Yum!
Gracer advocates eating bugs as a solution for the sustainability of the environment and alleviating world hunger. He has been featured on the Colbert Report, NPR, The New York Times, and on TLC’s My Crazy Obsession.
The event, sponsored by the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library, is on October 28 at 6:00 pm at the library, and you will want to sign up for the event right away because space is limited!
The Mattapoisett Library also has several eerie exhibitions displayed throughout the library with haunted facts about Tri-Town until Halloween is over.
The Friends of the Mattapoisett Library will also be handing out Halloween candy from the steps of the library starting at 5:00 pm on Halloween, so be sure to trick-or-treat your way over!
The Elizabeth Taber Library has some Halloween activities of its own, hosting a drop-in Halloween crafts and activities session every day from October 24 through October 31. Join Children’s Librarian Rosemary Grey in making handmade Halloween decorations, Jack O’ Lantern puppets, and bat, goblin, and witch stick puppets.
An annual favorite is the make-your-own Halloween mask activity, using materials like feathers, sparkles, and pompoms. Drop-in hours are regular library hours: Monday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Wednesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Thursday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Friday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, and Sunday 1:00 – 4:00 pm.
Grab the goblins and venture to the Mattapoisett YMCA for its annual Family Halloween Hayride and Party with Zip’oween on Friday, October 24 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
There will be a haunted hayride and a Halloween party with games and crafts. Kids can also take a spooky ride on the Halloween-themed zipline, which will take riders through scary Halloween music and lights during what the YMCA calls “one sick ride down from our climbing tower.”
Kids wearing costumes can enter the costume contest, and refreshments will be available.
Witches, grab your broomsticks and head to the Plumb Corner Halloween Party on October 25 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm! The day is sure to offer family-friendly frightening activities. Head over to Rochester for some hay rides, pumpkin decorating, Jack O’ Lantern and costume contests, the “Spooky Salon,” as well as games and food. Don’t forget the trick-or-treating and the haunted house! There will be music by DJ Howie and local vendors will have displays.
Plumb Corner is located at 565 Rounseville Road in Rochester.
Remember that on Halloween, the Marion Art Center will hold its annual Halloween Parade beginning at 4:00 pm in front of the Marion Music Hall. Goody bags will be available for the participants after the parade.
The Mattapoisett Halloween Parade starts at 6:00 pm at Center School on Barstow Street. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween, Tri-Town!
By Jean Perry
