by Elean Gersack

Ghosts and goblins will be looking for tricks and treats. Here are some fun alternatives or additions to traditional Halloween trick-or-treating:

Trick or Treat Street in Castle Pines North

CPN Business District

Wednesday, October 29

4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Children in costume can visit local businesses to trick or treat. In addition, children can decorate cookies and enter to win one of two $25 gift certificates to Toys “R” Us. New this year – the art department and students from Rock Canyon High School will paint festive scenes on the windows of participating Castle Pines Chamber Members. The art will be displayed from October 26 until October 31. Participating businesses will be posted at
www.castlepineschamber.com one week prior to the event.

Boo at the Zoo

The Denver Zoo

Saturday and Sunday, October 25 and 26

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Denver Zoo’s 24th annual “Boo at the Zoo” offers trick-or-treaters close encounters of the creepy kind. This year’s theme encourages children to be a hero for the planet and dress up as their favorite superhero while they learn about several ways they can help the environment. Trick-or-treaters can visit more than 30 trick-or-treat stations including vampire bats, reptiles, spiders and Denver Zoo’s other creatures. Activities are free with admission. Call 303-376-4800 or visit www.denverzoo.org for more information.

Garden of the Goodies

Hudson Gardens

Friday and Saturday, October 24 and 25

Kids can enjoy a safe trick-or-treat around the lighted and decorated Oval Garden. For more information, visit www.hudsongardens.org.

Pumpkin Festival

The Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield

Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield’s 10-acre pumpkin patch will be full of pumpkins on October 11 and 12. Come out and find the perfect one. While you are there, explore the myriad of animals at the working farm, tour the historical ranch, and enjoy the carnival rides! The amazing Corn Maze is located right next door. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children and free for children ages 3-12 in costume (tickets to the Corn Maze are sold separately). For more information, visit www.botanicgardens.org/pageinpage/pumpkinfestival.cfm.

Spooktacular and Spooktoddler

Goodson Recreation Center

Friday, October 24

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

South Suburban Parks and Recreation will host the season’s first Halloween celebration Spooktacular and Spooktoddler. Little ghosts and goblins, ages 11 and younger, will delight in costume contests, carnival games, a haunted house, temporary tattoos, crafts and lots of treats. The fun takes place at Goodson Recreation Center, located at 6315 S. University Blvd. For more information or to prepay, visit www.sspr.org. Prepay by 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, and receive the discounted rate of $4. The fee is $6 starting October 23. For more information, please call 303-798-2476.


Trick or Treat OFF the Street

The Wildlife Experience

Friday, October 31

2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Wildlife Experience will host Trick-or-Treat OFF the Street on Wednesday, October 31. This safe and fun Halloween celebration is for children of all ages and features games, scary stories, creepy crawly crafts, and a haunted graveyard. Candy booths will line the museum’s hallways so children can fill bags with candy and spooky toys. Admission is free for children younger than two, $4.95 for children age two to twelve, $7.95 for adults and $6.95 for seniors. Members of The Wildlife Experience receive free admission. For more information, visit www.thewildlifeexperience.com.

Halloween Safety

Keep kids and pets safe during Halloween. Check out these on-line resources for safety tips:

American Red Cross –

www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/october/octtips.html

Consumer Product Safety Commission –

www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/hallow.html

Food & Drug Administration –

www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/candyandtreats.html

American Academy Of Pediatrics –

www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/octhalloween.htm

American Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals –

www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_halloween

People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals

www.peta.org/feat/halloweenadvisory/dev01/