Weather or Not, Halloween is Still Happening This Weekend

Hurricane Sandy may be heading our way but she's not here yet, so after you've stocked up on emergency supplies, take the opportunity to go out and play this weekend while the parks are still open, events are still happening, and the lights are still on. Here's what's happening locally. 

1. It goes without saying that there are tons of Halloween events. You'll find a list of everything that's happening locally for kids here. East Lyme Youth Services' Haunted Barn (which is right nextdoor to the reportedly actually haunted Smith-Harris House) was a great success last night (as you'll see in the pictures!).

About 35 to 40 kids were involved in preparing for the event and about 30 came out to provide the scare tactics and the whole event raised about $300. At $2 to enter, that gives you a pretty good idea of the turnout and 50 percent of all the proceeds will go to Care & Share in East Lyme.

2. Kids aren't the only ones who can have fun celebrating Halloween. Tonight, the Hygienic Art's annual Howling Halloween Bash is happening at the Crocker House Ballroom, 35 Union Street, New London. The party starts at 8 p.m. and, having attended this event since it first started, I've gotta tell you this is a great party. The setting is spooky, the costumes are always creative (usually handmade rather than store bought) and the music always gets everyone on the dance floor. The event is for 21 and over, because there are real spirits at this event. The is price $40, or $75 a couple but it's a fundraiser for the nonprofit Hygienic and so you can write it off!

3. Although the forecast calls for showers on Sunday afternoon, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer might just squeak in under the wire. The fundraising walk is scheduled to be held on Sunday at Harkness Park in Waterford, rain or shine, starting with check-in at 11:30 a.m. and a reception for survivors from noon to 1 p.m. The walk starts at 1:00 p.m. For more information go to the Making Strides web site. 

4. Interior Inspirations, a designer showcase at Lyme Art Association, continues through the weekend with workshops and roundtable discussions that will give you the chance to get tips from the experts. Some top notch interior designers are participating in this weekend fundraiser for New London's Child and Family Agency, and there should be some great buys at the boutique on the first floor of the association on Lyme Street in Old Lyme. 

5. Grammy and Oscar winner Jennifer Warnes will be performing at the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (AKA "The Kate") in Old Saybrook on October 28 at 7 p.m.

Best known for her hits “Up where We Belong”, a duet with Joe Crocker from the 1983 film An Officer and a Gentleman, and “The Time of My Life” from the 1988 film Dirty Dancing—both of which topped Billboard's pop chart, Warnes is now touring solo in support of her latest album, The Well. To purchase tickets, priced $50/$55, please visit http://www.thekate.org or call 860-388-3286.