Our expectation as we go outside for work or play this month — on, say, a haunting cloudy day with autumn leaves crunching underfoot — is the Valley’s mystical transformation into fall. It is an unnervingly freakish feel. Streets are filled with spooky people who by all appearances are enjoying a moonlight cemetery excursion.
The hootenanny of Halloween happenings kick-up as quickly as the fall foliage in offices, homes, street corners and paranormal parties producing ghoulish possibilities.
Here are our spine-chilling choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to ward off evil spirits, witches and monsters so you can sink your teeth into fall fun:
3 For a relaxing break from this month’s freakish Halloween events take in the music review Sondheim On Sondheim. Dazzling show plays weekends at the Cherry Creek Theatre, Oct. 2-25. Information: 303-800-6578.
3 Four Mile Park’s Pumpkin Harvest Fest is perfect spot to enjoy fall fun, foliage and music Oct. 3-4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
3 Monumental paintings and lithographs by Fritz Scholder titled Super Indian are at the Denver Art Museum, Oct.4-Jan. 17. Information: 720-865-5000.
3 See musical story of a poet who keeps mythical creatures as pets as St. Martin’s Choir, Ballet Arts and Confluence String Quartet perform at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-298-1970.
3 Enjoy top fun on Halloween and every Thursday and Saturday as the Bull & Bush offers King and Queen cuts of prime rib. Information: bullandbush.com.
3 City’s oldest remaining greenhouse City Floral welcomes the season with fun Fall Festival Oct. 17-18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 303-355-4013.
3 Haunted by roof or storm damage to your home? Don’t freak out with spooky offers, contact Core Contractors. Information: 303-997-1559.
3 Delight in frightful fun while viewing fabulous fall foliage by taking the entire family to Denver Botanic Gardens’ newest event, Glow At The Gardens, Oct. 14, 21 and 28. There will be colorful pumpkin displays, luminaria-lined pathways and cocktail parties each evening, 6-9 p.m. Fall-themed activities, scary stories and scavenger hunts are included. All activities are built in to the admission price but there are separate costs for food plus a cash bar. A different musical group will entertain in the Glow Lounge each evening. Information: 720-865-3500.
Like humans, plants have different personalities and change their colors as Halloween looms. That’s why some have colorful masks while others don’t. Whether you have a big yard, live near a park or are a hop, skip and jump from downtown, observe and take pleasure in autumn’s parade of bright yellow, orange and red colors.
The cool waves of fall colors coupled with streets filled with costumed creatures create hypnotic and haunting surroundings that produce an eerie, frightening feeling.
Rustic architecture, tree-lined sidewalks and creepy characters make every street a Boo Boulevard. Expect haunted houses, tortured souls and spooky parties to cast a spell every “witch” way you turn. Enjoy carving out memories as well as carving pumpkins but with a monstrous 31 days of Halloween fun be sure to take a few “coffin” breaks.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.