They say restless spirits begin to stir around Halloween, and if you are feeling restless, here’s how to find gruesome ghouls and ghastly goodies in the Peak to Peak region this Halloween season.

The 2023 Pumpkin Decorating Contest at the Gilpin County Public Library started on October 2, but goes until the end of the month. This event is open to all ages. No carved pumpkins allowed, only exterior decoration. Pumpkins must represent a book or movie character. Voting by the staff and public will begin October 30. Winners will be announced at noon on October 31. First place wins a $50 Amazon gift card, second and third place will each win a $25 Amazon gift card. Drop off your decorated pumpkin at the Gilpin County Public Library, located at 15131 Highway 119, Black Hawk, during regular hours from October 2 - October 29. Winners will be notified at noon on October 31. Pumpkins must be picked up by 4 p.m. on Friday, November 4. For more information visit https://www.gilpinlibrary.org/pumpkin-decoratingcontest. html.

The hallowed grounds of the Stage Stop will be the site of some ghoulish fun, presented by Spookygrass Productions, a collective of ghost whisperers who cultivate haunted house experiences in actual haunted houses. The event runs October 13 to 15, 19 to 22, and 26 to 29, then on Halloween on October 31. Haunted Stage Stop, located at 60 Main Street in Rollinsville, is an immersive walk-through haunted house in a historic and haunted venue. Local businesses in the area are throwing down with craft cocktails, craft beer, live music, and wood-fired pizza. Tickets must be bought online for dates throughout October at https://www.hauntedstagestop.com/ TicketEvent/HauntedStageStop/Page/ BuyTickets.

Gilpin County Parks and Recreation is partnering with the Gilpin County School to bring you one spooky, family-fun event at the Gilpin County Community Center located at 250 Norton Drive on Friday, October 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Spooky Trick-or-Treat Stroll, haunted trail, food from JKQ BBQ, games, bounce house, and a canned food drive. More information can be found here: https:// facebook.com/events/s/spooky-trick-or-treat-stroll/1497386094346972/

The 14th Annual Creepy Crawl will be on October 20, 21, 27, and 28. Visit historic buildings in Central City, some of which are off-limits the rest of the year. See live reenactments of murders, ghost stories, and other creepy and gruesome tales from Central City’s past during these 60+ minute walking tours led by guides from the Gilpin Historical Society. Tours begin at 7 p.m., and a new tour departs every 30 minutes until 9 p.m. Tickets can be bought here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/14th-annual-centralcity creepy-crawl-tickets-717383813297

The Very Nice Brewing Company is having a Pumpkin Carving Party on Thursday, October 26 beginning at 6 p.m. at 20 Lakeview Dr, Unit 112, Nederland. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/290298997108583

Nederland Elementary school holds a Halloween trick or treating event. Trunk or Treat, where kids trick or treat from trunk to trunk, will be held in the Nederland Elementary School parking lot, located at 1 Sundown Trail, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 27. If you would like to join the fun by decorating your car or truck, contact Kameron Troy at kameron.troy@rocketmail.com and don’t worry about extra candy as the school will supply you.

There will be live music at Howlin Wind Brewing, located at 51A Main Street in Rollinsville, on Friday, October 27: Godlazer (DJ) 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. and on Saturday: Moonstone Quill (Band) 6-8 p.m. for a local stop after your visit to the Haunted Stage Stop.

Halloween Ned will take place on Saturday, October 28 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the TEENS, Inc. Teen Center. The haunted house is full of family-friendly tricks and treats. Further entertainment will be provided in the form of Carnival Games and a Magic Show at 2 p.m. featuring Doc Murdock. Halloween Ned is an annual fundraiser for TEENS, Inc. developed in part by youth. For more information check out the website at: https://teensinc.org/teen-center/

If you want to shake your bones to live music, then the Caribou Room, located at 55 Indian Peaks Drive in Ned, is the place to be on Saturday, October 28, for Shakedown Street. Come celebrate Halloween, Dia De Los Muertos, and the Grateful Dead! There will be a costume contest with prizes and Karen

Anderson will be there dishing out her Distant Star Astrology and Tarot. Doors at 7 p.m. Show at 8 p.m. Dinner is available. General Admission tickets are $25 in advance or $28 day of the show. Tickets can bought online at: https:// www.thecaribouroom.com/

Want a different spin with your favorite animals? Come to the Carousel of Spookiness, October 31, from 4 to 8 p.m. at 20 Lakeview Drive in Nederland. For more information check out https:// carouselofhappiness.org/carousel-of-spookiness/

On Halloween Day in Nederland, children and parents go trick or treating in the residential area affectionately known as “Old Town,” as well as the local shops and restaurants. The weather is often quite cold so warm costumes are recommended – think fuzzy animal onesies.