NOTE (Saturday, October 30, 2021): This article has been updated to include a few corrected details for one of the October 30 events.

* * * * *

With COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines easing, families and revelers of all ages are definitely looking forward to Halloween this month. After a year without costumes, trick-or-treating, celebrations and other seasonal silliness, it’s time to shake off — and hang up — the cobwebs.

With two weekends left before the big event, we offer the following notes on in-town public events we have been alerted to.

Keep in mind that organizers may ask for social distancing and/or facemasks. Registration notes are included where applicable.

THIS WEEKEND

Spooktacular Kids Night Out

Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street, opens the weekend with an event for children ages 5-10.

The drop-off event will run from 6:30 to 9 pm and include themed games, swimming, and arts & crafts. Costumes are encouraged.

Cost is $30 ($25 community center members), and registration is required; call 203-270-4349.

NMS Annual Scarecrow And Painted Pumpkin Event

The Annual Scarecrow and Painted Pumpkin Event returns this weekend to the front lawn of Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street.

Larger-than-life scarecrows designed by teams of NMS eighth grade art enrichment students will be displayed, as will painted pumpkins by NMS students.

In lieu of the traditional $1 votes of years past, this year the public is asked to offer donations for FAITH Food Pantry. Students will be collecting onsite between 9 am and 5 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday Lego Club

C.H. Booth Library’s Lego Club this month will honor Halloween.

Ages 4-9 are invited to join fellow Lego enthusiasts in the meeting room at 25 Main Street for an hour of building spooky creations. All supplies will be provided.

Registration is required and parents/caregivers must remain in the building. Call 203-426-4533 or visit chboothlibrary.org to register or for details.

Sandy Hook Halloween Walk

The Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) is planning its Tenth Halloween Walk for Saturday, October 23, rain or shine from 11 am to 2 pm, in Sandy Hook Center.

The event offers participants a chance to display their costumes and collect goodies as they visit participating businesses.

The business district where the walk takes place is Church Hill Road, Glen Road, Riverside Road, and Washington Avenue.

SHVFR Fall Festival (Costume Contest)

While not fully a Halloween event, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue’s Fall Festival on Saturday will include a costume contest. The fire company will offer prizes to the top two adult and top two children’s costumes, which will be selected at 4 pm that afternoon.

The full event runs from 11 am to 5 pm, admission is $2 adults, and there will be food trucks, a beer and wine garden, games, craft vendors, and music.

The October 23 rain or shine event will be presented at the fire company’s main station, 18-20 Riverside Road.

Great Pumpkin Challenge

This weekend also begins collections for The 2021 Great Pumpkin Challenge at Trinity Episcopal Church. The church’s young adults are again coordinating the effort for the fifth year.

Residents are invited to deliver carved pumpkins to 36 Main Street on Sundays, October 24 and 31, between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm; or Saturday, October 30, between 11 am and 4 pm. A $5 donation per pumpkin is requested, with all donations to benefit The Hole in The Wall Gang Camp.

The young adult group will also host a carving event on Sunday, October 24, beginning around 10:30 (following that morning’s 9:30 worship service). Weather permitting, that event will be in front of the church, 36 Main Street.

For those who cannot get to the church during the above collection times, carved pumpkins are welcome after October 24; donations should be mailed to the church (36 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470, with a note that they are for the Great Pumpkin Challenge) or done via trinitynewtownCT.org.

All pumpkins will be displayed on Halloween.

Gingerbread Haunted Houses

Sunday afternoon, a Gingerbread Haunted Houses workshop is planned at Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street.

All ages are invited to craft a haunted house using graham crackers and spooky candy. Costumes are definitely encouraged.

The 90-minute event will begin at 1 pm. Cost is $10 per house kit ($5 for community center members), and registration is required. Call 203-270-4349 for details or registration.

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND

Halloween Parade

Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street, will host a Halloween Parade on Friday, October 29, at 11 am.

Children ages 1-5 are invited to arrive in costume for annual parade in conjunction with Newtown Senior Center. After going through the halls of the building, the parade will conclude in the multipurpose room, where photo opportunities and treats will be waiting.

Call 203-270-4349 to register and for additional information.

Halloween Spooktacular Drive-Thru

The 2nd Annual Newtown Community Center Halloween Spooktacular Drive-Thru will return to Fairfield Hills October 29-31. The family friendly event begins from the front of the center. Rides run Friday and Saturday, 7 to 9 pm; and Sunday, 2:30 to 5 pm.

There are new surprises along the route this year, and each ride will conclude with a surprise for each vehicle.

Cost is $10 per vehicle, and registration is strongly encouraged as space is limited. Call 203-270-4349 or find the event through Eventbrite.com to register.

EverWonder Spooktacular

EverWonder Children’s Museum, 31 Pecks Lane, is plotting a spectacular Spooktacular for Saturday, October 30. Costumes are strongly encouraged. Admission is $10 per person, with member discounts available.

Tickets must be reserved as there will be limited spots per time slot to keep capacity low and create a better visitor experience for all.

The first session will open at 9 am, and each session will run for 90 minutes. Additional sessions will begin at 10:45 am, and 12:30.

Ticket holders must be prepared to enter and exit at their ticketed time.

Between each session there will be a 15-minute cleaning and quick rest so that everyone enjoys the same experience.

Contact the museum at 203-364-4009 or info@everwondermuseum.org for details; visit everwondermuseum.org for reservations.

Howl-O-Ween Dog Party

An annual event to benefit Newtown Park and Bark, the Howl-O-Ween Dog Party is scheduled for Saturday, October 30, from 11 am to 1 pm, at the dog park, 21 Old Farm Road.

Cost is $10/dog. There will be a costume contests for Scariest, Most Original, Cutest, K-9/Human Look-Alike and Best in Show. The Parks & Rec event also features games.

Proceeds benefit the town’s off-lead dog park. Call 203-270-4340 for additional information.

FUN Halloween Event

Families United in Newtown will host its annual Halloween event on Saturday, 4:30 to 6:30 pm, centered around the pavilion at Dickinson Park, 50 Elm Drive.

Free admission. Young people with disabilities and their families are invited for dancing, team pumpkin decorating, a costumes presentation, pizza/snacks, and Trunk or Treating. Newtown High School National Honors Society student volunteers will assist.

Registration is requested; call 203-512-6284, send e-mail to lindajones9763@sbcglobal.net, or visit facebook.com/FamiliesUnitedinNewtown.

Halloween Make & Take Puppet Workshop

Before heading out to trick or treat, consider visiting Aquila’s Nest Vineyard, 56 Pole Bridge Road, for a make-and-take puppet workshop.

All ages are invited to make bat, spider, and moth puppets with Sova Dance & Puppet Theater between 12:30 and 2:30 pm. Costumes encouraged.

Cost is $21 per person, which does not include wine. Registration is required; call 203-518-4352 or visit aquilasnestvineyards.com.

=====

Associate Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.