Johnny’s List of Quirky Boston Events: 10/20/05

10/20/05 by

The big event of the week is the
Head of the Charles Regatta, Oct 22-23. We just happen to be lucky enough to live where the biggest rowing event anywhere is taking place. Walk down to the Charles River, especially near the Weeks Footbridge which is that little pedestrian bridge near JFK Street. It’s 9:30-4:30 Saturday and 7:45 to 5pm on Sunday. I’ve never actually gone to this but I’m told it’s not as crowded as you think. I wonder if bringing a blanket to sit on is a good idea or if there simply won’t be room.
Another neat Halloweeny thing coming up is the
Life is Good Pumpkin Festival, October 22nd on Boston Common, 12-8pm. And there are carving parties today, Thursday, see the website for a list of farms. They are trying to set a world record and I bet it’ll be awesome to see.
Meanwhile, it is very important that you get out to
Salem Haunted Happenings, now to Oct 31st, although really it’s just Friday & Saturday evenings when the most is happening. Skip the museums, which are open year-round, and go to the haunted houses and theater events. The Salem website is so easy to use and comprehensive that just go there for details.
Also, you really must check out Massachusetts Haunted Houses. Here are my picks, see previous weeks for links and details. You really must see the Livingston Street Terror, Barrett’s Haunted Mansion, the Castle of the Damned at Hammon Castle, and the two in Fall River: Asylum of Horror and Factory of Terror. Definitely skip Witch’s Woods, and go to Hallowscream Park only if you’re lazy about driving and won’t go anywhere outside a 30 minute drive from Boston. Others I can’t vouch for, but it’s a can’t-miss experience for three reasons. 1) You are still a little kid. 2) Seeing all the screaming teenagers is a blast. 3) It’s a theater experience that New England happens to be the headquarters for, thanks to Salem. Note: Haunted Houses are really for kids ages 12 and older. If your child watches R-rated horror movies then a haunted house is OK. However, the Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House at the Walpole Mall has a not-so-scary halloween experience, as does Davis Farmland’s MegaMaze which I keep plugging and if you haven’t gone yet, you need a spanking.
This week’s bonus event is
Monthly Game Night, October 25th at True Grounds, 717 Broadway, in Somerville. Events czar Sooz Kaup is running the event on a regular basis; she is a really cool person who knows all about Bostonian adventures. It’s free and you can meet some fellow Boston Events enthusiasts. Unlike some gaming nights which are focused on the 6-hour Battle For Europe Re-Enactment games, you can play Scrabble and checkers and other games that you won’t find yourself faced with a long list of rules.