UPDATED Things to do: Special Halloween edition

Riverside Farm's 2010 corn maze

This time of year, many of our local farms host autumn- and/or Halloween-themed events and attractions for adults and kids of all ages. Here's a roundup of the ones you can get to without going "north of the tower." Warning! Some events may not be for the faint of heart …

By Linda Felaco

• TOMORROW, Sunday, at 7 p.m., the annual Guy Fawkes Bonfire will be held on the beach at The Andrea Hotel in Misquamicut. All ages welcome. Comedic re-enactment of the 1605 trial of Guy Fawkes, who tried to blow up the British Parliament. Special guest DENNY LAINE, formerly of The Moody Blues and Wings. Free. Come early to play medieval games.

• Riverside Farm on Burdickville Road right here in Charlestown has a Fall Festival Corn Maze, billed as the largest in South County and possibly all of Rhode Island. As an added bonus, this weekend, October 8, 9, and 10, is Craft Weekend, featuring Scarecrow Making (for a small fee, they provide the clothing and hay) and Pumpkin Painting.

• Carpenter's Farm on Matunuck Beach Road has a pumpkin patch, hayrides, and a corn maze.
• As mentioned in last week's edition of Things to do, the Fall Festival at Clark Farms on Route 1 in Matunuck is in full swing. Activities include a corn maze, hop dots, straw maze, straw jump, mountain slide, pumpkin patch, pedal go karts, Flashlight Nights, bonfires, and a haunted hayride.

• Farther up Route 1 in Wakefield, Highland Farm's "Trails to Terror" is in its 15th season of thrills and chills. Events include "Delamorte's Haunted Hayride" and the 15-acre "Forest of Fear" walkthru. Warning: May be too intense for very young children. I suggest viewing the video first before deciding whether to attend.
• Festival Farm in Hope Valley has pumpkins, tractor-pulled hayrides, a farm market, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, and a petting zoo.
  
• The Foster Farm of Ashaway has a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and flashlight mazes after dark.

Harvest/Johnnycake Festival at Kenyon's Grist Mill

• Kenyon's Grist Mill in the historic village of Usquepaugh will be holding its annual Harvest/Johnnycake Festival October 22 and 23. Enjoy a variety of food, art, and specialty products while supporting area farms, artisans, restaurants, and businesses. Note that there is no parking at the event itself; parking and free shuttle bus service is available at the Washington County Fairgrounds. The narrated bus trip is short and enjoyable. You may come and go throughout the day as you please. In addition, volunteers will be collecting donations of canned goods and nonperishable food items, as well as seasonal clothing, to benefit the Jonnycake Center.