Oct 31 – Nov 8, 2011: Day of the Dead, Sherlock Holmes, Pumpkin Catapult, 6 Open Studios, plus Astronomy, Train, & Ren Fests, Ticket Giveaways & it’s still Cornfield Maze Season!
Don’t be a whiner about the snow. After all, if you start complaining now, how are you going to hold out through March? Instead, read my New England Manifesto, which gives more than 100 reasons why New England is amazing and we have the 8th best weather in the USA! Please email me at johnny@eventsINSIDER.com with your own comments.
We’re in the lull in-between Halloween and the start of the Christmas season, but it’s still the warmest weather you’ll find before April. Go on an outdoor hike and enjoy nature’s natural air conditioning all around you!
I’ve gone all out this week to provide Twitter and Facebook links (on the main blog) and tag pages (in the Events INSIDER Twitter and Facebook feeds). It’s been a lot of work, so please send your comments about what you like and what needs improving to johnny@eventsINSIDER.com.
I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun!
-Johnny
p.s. Love this blog? Subscribe to email, 
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and if you help get the word out, I’ll put you on my priority list to win free stuff and send you the FREE 27-page Events INSIDER New England Guide, with over 720 off-beat attractions you won’t find in the blog! 
| Davis MegaMaze – ticket giveaway | Worcester
Thu 8/11 – Sun 11/13 |
 Depending on the weather this might be the last weekend for my favorite cornfield maze. Petting zoo closed for the season. Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com to win tickets! 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| Legally Blonde: The Musical – tix giveaway | North Shore
Tue 11/1 – Sun 11/13 |
 You’ve seen the movie. Now see it revised and set to music! It’s proof (if we needed it) that beautiful, bubbly blondes who get ALL the attention can also be excellent lawyers! I have 2 pairs to give away for the show Friday, November 4th. Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com to win. 62 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA.(978) 232-7200. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| Jon Anderson & Rick Wakeman- Former ‘Yes’ Legends- Up Close & Acoustic | Worcester
Tue 11/8 |
 YES was arguably up there with RUSH and Pink Floyd. Now I have two pairs of tickets to give away to this performance of two of the original members, as they play music (including their hits) but also tell stories and joke with the audience. This is a chance to really ‘get to know’ these legends up close. Hanover Theatre, Worcester, MA. event website on facebook |
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| Pumpkin Launch by Catapult | Rhode Island
Sat 11/5 |
 Halloween is over, and now we’re bored? What shall we do with these 5,000 pumpkins? And this catapult? South Kingstown, RI.401-789-9301. event website |
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| Day of the Dead at Peabody Museum | Boston Metro
Wed 11/2 – Sat 11/5 |
 The Peabody Museum is having a Day of the Dead gala, and they have a series of exhibits if you miss the gala. I went last year and it was surprisingly fun, packed with people and live music, with huge diorama exhibits. Peabody Museum, Cambridge, MA.617-496-1027. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| The Speckled Band of Boston – Shelock Holmes | Boston Metro
Thu 11/3 |
 Here’s a museum trip, dinner, and author lecture hosted by fans of Sherlock Holmes. I’m sure it will be fun, but as for me… I just want to see what people who love Sherlock Holmes enough to pay $100 look like! 5:30pm. Houghton Library, Harvard Yard, Cambridge, MA. event website |
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| Stars, Stories & S’more | South Shore
Sat 11/5 |
 Learn about the stars from an astronomer and enjoy a campfire and s’mores. Of course it will be cold, but let’s face it. This is the warmest night for the next 5 months so don’t stay at home. Get out and enjoy it! 5:30-7pm. Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, Marshfield, MA.781-837-9400. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| South Boston Open Studios | Boston Metro
Sat 11/5 – Sun 11/6 |
 An open studios is when local artists open up their homes and work studios to the public. It’s a great excuse to grab a map and walk around some neighborhood you’ve never explored before. This week there are a bunch of competing ones. 12-6pm. Various locations, Boston, MA. event website on facebook |
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| Newton Open Studios | Boston Metro
Sat 11/5 – Sun 11/6 |
 Artist homes omes and work studios are open so you can walk around the city, meeting real artists (not just merchants) and potentially buying their stuff. This one’s in Newton, where because of the mansions it’s fun to walk around anytime! 11am-5pm. See website for map, Newton, MA. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| Roslindale Open Studios | Boston Metro
Sat 11/5 – Sun 11/6 |
 This one’s spread all across Roslindale so you get a nice fall walk. And they’ll have live music! 11am-5pm. See website for map, Roslindale, MA. event website on facebook |
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| Fenway Studios Open Studios | Boston Metro
Sat 11/5 – Sun 11/6 |
 Fenway will have one that’s just a single building. I guess that’s good? 30 Ipswich Street, Boston, MA.617-536-3756. event website on facebook |
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| Waltham Mills Artists’ Open Studios | Boston Metro
Sun 11/6 – Mon 11/7 |
 This open studios is also in a single location, so not as big, but perhaps worth a visit. I really need to buy this LSD cat painting… to give to someone I don’t like…. 144 Moody Street, Waltham, MA. event website |
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| Amesbury Open Studios | North Shore
Sat 11/5 – Sun 11/6 |
 And here’s another way up north. Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm. Amesbury Cultural Center, Upper Millyard, 36 High St, Amesbury, MA. event website |
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| International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition | Boston Metro
Sat 11/5 – Mon 11/7 |
 As if building robots weren’t enough, MIT now leads an international contest to build biological systems. (Are they going to fight to the death in a public arena?) Go and see what they’ve “cooked up”. MIT, Cambridge, MA. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| Astronomy Night at Borderland State Park | Metro West
Fri 11/4 |
 Local hobbyist astronomers will teach you about the stars at this park event. They’ll have telescopes, but bring yours (or binoculars) if you can. 7-9pm. Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Ave, North Easton, MA. event website on twitter |
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| Brockton Train Show | South Shore
Sun 11/6 |
 There aren’t very many events for model train enthusiasts near Boston. But here is one. Come see the trains and, um, more trains. Best of all, it’s held in a temple. How crazy is that? 10am-4pm. Temple at Pearl & Torrey Sts, Brockton, MA.508-583-5810. event website |
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| Bedford Boomer Exhibition | New Hampshire
Sun 11/6 |
 Model trains are also coming to New Hampshire. 10am-4pm. School, 108 Liberty Hill Road, Bedford, NH. event website |
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| Southcoast Toy and Comic Festival | Southeast Mass
Sun 11/6 |
 Hey! The 1980s Buck Rogers, Gil Gerard, will show up at this fan convention which is all about comics and “action figures” that are totally not dolls. 10am-4pm. Seaport Inn, Fairhaven, MA. event website on facebook |
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| Crown Tourney – Society for Creative Anachronism | Springfield
Sat 11/5 |
 The Society for Creative Anachronism recreates medeival times, but they also have fun beating each other with soft weapons. This festival seems to be more of the latter, but they have so few events close to Boston I thought I’d list it. 9am-7pm. Polish American Club of Agawam, 139 Southwick St, Feeding Hills, MA. event website |
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| Harvest Dinner with the Pilgrims at Plimoth Plantation | South Shore
Sat 11/5 – Sat 11/12 |
 Plimoth Plantation is great to visit any time, but this week they’re doing a re-enactment of a 1621 harvest dinner. You’ll see all kinds of old-timey food preparation. And pilgrims. And native americans. 5:30pm. 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA.508-746-1622. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| Traditional Shaker Supper at Hancock Shaker Village | Berkshires
Sat 11/5 |
 Gastronomical time travel also takes place at this Shaker musuem, with a tour by re-enactors, an authentic dinner, and a cappella Shaker music from the 1830s. Tour at 4pm. $65. 34 Lebanon Mountain Rd., Hancock, MA. event website on facebook |
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| El Dia de Los Muertos | Boston Metro
Thu 11/3 |
 I went to this Day of the Dead location once and it was lackluster. It’s just a very small museum with an ethnic meal that is basically a few cafeteria ladies serving lunch. However this year they’re ditching the kids activites and doing a 21+ evening dance & music performance! 6:30pm. Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, Cambridge, MA.800-511-9725. event website on facebook |
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| Day of the Dead: A Poetic Reflection | Boston Metro
Wed 11/2 |
 And this presumably lower key event is a poetry reading in honor of the Day of the Dead. But will there be candy skeletons and a mariachi band?!? (Nope.) 7:30pm. Cambridge Co-Housing, 175 Richdale Ave, Cambridge, MA. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| Free Will: An Open Shakespeare Slam | Boston Metro
Sat 11/5 |
| Run by a storytellers’ group, this is a night of comedy, stories, and “spoken word” about the BAHD. 4-7pm. The Burren, 247 Elm St, Somerville, MA. event website on twitter on facebook | |
| Who’s Out There: Owl Prowl | Metro West
Fri 11/4 |
 I’ve never been, but I would love some day to take a guided tour through the woods to see actual owls in their natural habitat. WHOO wouldn’t? :). Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 108 North St, Norfolk, MA.508-528-3140. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| Woodland Night Walk | North Shore
Fri 11/4 |
 I’ll see your owls, and raise you flying squirrels. And deer! OOooOOoOo. By the way, I don’t just list all park events. I’m very selective. It’s just that there are tons of them, and I love outdoorsy creative events. Even if they are aimed at kids, they can be a real hoot. (Get it? Hoot?) 7-8:30pm. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA.(978) 887-9264. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| ExSKULLent Adventures Family Fest | North Shore
Sat 11/5 |
 Or this one, which features a nature ‘treasure’ hunt. Ravenswood Park, 481 Western Ave, Gloucester, MA.978-526-8687. event website on facebook |
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| Bone and Skull Identification Workshop | Rhode Island
Sat 11/5 |
 It turns out that forests are full of skeletons — animal skeletons! This guided tour shows you how to identify what are essentially dead animal bodies. They say you can even find animal bones in owl poop. Ewwww! Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| Franklin County CiderDay | Northwest Mass
Sat 11/5 – Sun 11/6 |
 I’m usually skeptical of single food events. This one is occurring simultaneously at several farms in Western Massachusetts. You can get orchard tours and see apple butter being made, but the secret seems to be “tastings”, i.e. free booze samples. Aw, heck, it’s probably great (if brief) fun. Various, Greenfield, MA. event website |
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| A Quilters’ Gathering | New Hampshire
Thu 11/3 – Sun 11/6 |
 I know what you’re thinking, quilting shows are boring. But I’ve actually been to one and it was fun with the right attitude. The quilts are genuine works of art, not grids of plaid. Thu-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-3pm. Sheraton Hotel, Nashua, NH. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| Life, Language and the Pursuit of Happiness: Ernest Hemingway Alive! | Berkshires
Tue 11/1 |
 If you like Ernest Hemingway, here’s your big chance to see a true historian do a live re-enactment where you can “meet” him! 7pm. Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield, MA.508-869-6749. event website |
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| The Life and Times of Nathaniel Bowditch (1773-1838) | North Shore
Tue 11/1 |
 This is not a re-enactment, but it is a lecture by a professor of physics about the old-timey astronomer who made it possible for sea captains and pirates to navigate using the stars. Essex Shipbuilding Museum, Essex, MA.978-768-7541. event website |
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| Concord Festival of Authors | Metro West
Thu 10/20 – Sun 11/6 |
 These author talks include a Halloween kids party Oct 30, poetry reading, and “Mystery Night”. Plus Anita Hill is speaking, the lawyer who accused a Supreme Court nominee of harassment in 1991. The truth was never known but there are “believers” on both sides insisting that whatever your heart feels is more important than facts. Concord, MA.978-369-9763. event website |
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| Boston Jewish Film Festival | Boston Metro
Wed 11/2 – Sun 11/13 |
 This film festival will have plenty of directors and celebrities coming to speak and take questions. So it’s not just sitting in a dark room idly watching movies. Just mostly. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| Ice Skating Statewide | All Over
Tue 11/1 – Tue 3/15 |
 Summer is over, but now you’ll find tons of ice skating rinks across New England. I learned as a small child that the ice is very hard when you fall on it. Here’s a list. Enjoy! All Over. event website on twitter |
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| Daylight Savings Time Ends | Everywhere
Sun 11/6 |
 Don’t forget to set your clocks forward an hour this weekend. Last year, it was spooky… I didn’t need to set ANYTHING. My computer, my iPhone, and my bedroom clock just set themselves. I tell you, it heralds the robot takeover. Everywhere, Everywhere. |
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| Christmas Festival & Gingerbread House Competition | Boston Metro
Fri 11/4 – Sun 11/6 |
 I’m not a Christian but of course I like the Xmas holidays. But seriously, we spend 5 weeks EVERY YEAR living Xmas. Does it really need to invade early November? Here’s the winner of the most desperate to prey on Xmastime shoppers, with an event that’s almost 8 weeks in advance. Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| Before I Leave You – our review | Boston Metro
Oct 14 – Nov 13 |
 Profound and funny, this play set in Harvard Square, Cambridge features “four longtime friends facing too much past and too little future.” See our review! Wimberly Theatre, Boston, MA. our review event website |
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| Boston Comedy Festival | Boston Metro
Sat 11/5 – Sat 11/12 |
 The Boston Comedy Festival isn’t exactly weird but it was SO much fun the year I went. Highly recommended! The really big deal is finals night, the last night of the week. Various downtown venues, Boston, MA. event website |
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| Reading of Sam Shepard’s “Fool For Love | Boston Metro
Sun 11/6 |
 Two lovers wrestle with their relationship in this “reading”, an unrehearsed staging of a play with actors holding the script in their hands. Not the best kind of theatre, but free and features Rutina Wesley, “Tara Thornton” in TV’s “True Blood.” 7pm. Register to meet her at the afterparty. Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont St, Boston, MA.617.426.0863. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| Mystic Seaport to Celebrate 70 Years of the Charles W. Morgan with Free Fireworks, Admission | Connecticut
Fri 10/28 – Sat 11/5 |
 The oldest American commerical vessel still afloat, from 1841, is having a celebration with fireworks Friday at 9 pm and a whole day of activities, demonstrations, and ceremony on Saturday. Mystic Seaport will be free! And the whole week find nearby performances, talks, a car show, etc. Mystic, CT. primary website another on twitter on facebook |
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| Hello Manga! Free Day, Cartooning Workshop, Spirited Away Movie | Connecticut
Sat 11/5 |
 Find free admission at this museum with an exhibition on Japanese cartoons, and take a $15 workshop to learn to draw! 10am-5pm. And see their calendar for future workshops and films related to the “Hello Manga!” exhibition. Lyman Allyn Art Museum, 625 Williams St, New London, CT.860.443.2545, ext. 130. event website on facebook |
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| How the West Was Fun: Our Roughing It, Wild West-Themed Fall Gala | Connecticut
Sat 11/5 |
 This is a day long symposium of serious lectures to celebrate Twain’s 175th birthday. Um, is there a cake? A social mixer? Free but reserve. Mercy Hall, St. Joseph College, 1678 Asylum Ave, West Hartford, CT.860-231-5521. event website on twitter on facebook |
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| Astronomy Night at the Shore Line Trolley | Connecticut
Sat 11/5 |
 Astronomers will teach you about the stars at this event that… There are also trolley tours out to the salt marsh. One-hour briefing on telescopes and stars, and get to see real meteors. 17 River St, East Haven, CT.203-467-6927. primary website another |
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| Carnage Con / DipCon 2011 | Vermont
Fri 11/4 – Sun 11/6 |
 I love the board game Diplomacy, and the North American Diplomacy championships are happening at this roleplaying and board gaming convention in Vermont. Fairlee, VT. event website |
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| Cornfield Mazes (Day/Night) | grade | Mon 10/31 | Tue 11/1 | Wed 11/2 | Thu 11/3 | Fri 11/4 | Sat 11/5 | Sun 11/6 | |
| Metro WestFramingham, MACorn Maze at Hanson’s Farm | ? | D | D | D | D | D | D | ||
| Days only. 2011: 9am-6pm. 20 Nixon Rd, 508.877.3058. more |
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| North ShoreIpswich, MAMarini Farm Corn Maze Flashlight Nights | ? | D | |||||||
| 2011: Mon Thu Fri 3-7pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm. Some nights, bring your own flashlight, 6-10pm. 259 Linebrook Rd, 978 471-9203. more |
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| North ShoreDanvers, MAHaunted Cornfield at Connors Farm Corn Maze | ? | D | |||||||
| 2011: Daily 9am-6pm. See website for coupon. Halloween night maze some nights. Singles night Oct 8. Halloween Kids Day Oct 31. 30 Valley Road (Rt. 35), 978-777-1245. more |
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| North ShoreHaverhill, MAKimball Farm Haunted Maze | B+ | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | |
| 2011: Daily, mainly 10am-6pm. Some nights to 8:30pm. October nights, costumed actors chase you around a maze cut into a corn field at night! Small but combine it with a visit to the Castle of Fear, also in Haverhill. 780 East Broadway, 978-521-3990. more |
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| WorcesterSterling, MADavis MegaMaze Halloween Fright Nights | A | D | D | D | |||||
| My favorite corn field maze is across the street from a big petting zoo with hayrides, go carts, and apple picking. It’s the best!! They have night mazes with telescopes and Halloween nights with monsters! 145 Redstone Hill more |
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| Rhode IslandPortsmouth, RIEscobar’s Highland Farm Corn Maze | ? | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | |
| 2011: 10am-dusk except Fri (3:30pm), Sun (11am). No nights. Pumpkin Fest 9/24. Harry Potter 10/15. Halloween Party 10/29. 251 Middle Road, 401-683-1444. more |
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| New HampshireLee, NHCoppal House Farm Night Maze | ? | D | D | ||||||
| 2011: Weekdays 12-5pm, Sat Sun 10am-5pm. Some nights 7-9pm. Bring a flashlight. Not “haunted”. Huge bonfire. Free cider & donuts. 118 North River Road (Route 155), 603.659.3572. more |
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| New HampshireHopkinton, NHBeech Hill Farm & Ice Cream Stand | ? | D | |||||||
| Daily 11am-dusk. No nights. 107 Beech Hill Road, 603-223-0828. more |
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| New HampshireMeredith, NHMoulton Farm Corn Maze | ? | D | |||||||
| 2011: 8am-6pm. No nights. $5. Trivia questions in the maze. 18 Quarry Road, 603-279-3915. more |
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| New HampshireMilford, NHTrombley Gardens Corn Maze | ? | D | |||||||
| Days to 6pm. Saturdays in October haunted maze to 9:30pm. 150 North River Road, 603-620-5785. more |
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| ConnecticutNorth Granby, CTSpookfest at Hayes Corn Maze | ? | N | |||||||
| 2011: Website says 2010 but I called to confirm dates. Fri 4-9pm, Sat 12-9pm, Sun 12-6pm. Bring a flashlight. Hayes Dairy, 151 East St, 860-653-4157. more |
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| ConnecticutThompson, CTFort Hill Farms Corn Maze Adventure | ? | D | D | D | D | N | N | D | |
| 2011: Sun-Thu 10am-5pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm. Bring a flashlight. more |
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