Are We There Yet?: Halloween Times Two

I don't think anyone gets Halloween off from work or school, but somehow it feels like a three-day weekend, doesn't it?

First off, if you're going trick-or-treating Friday night, stay safe. I'm sure you know the drill but here are some tips just in case you want a reminder.

You might as well keep the Halloween fun going into the evening of Saturday, Nov. 1.  Starting at 5 p.m., the Mason Library in Great Barrington is hosting a free Community Halloween Party. The kids party starts at 5 p.m. with "spirited" storytelling by Tim Van Egmond, a folksinger and storyteller who performs throughout New England. Devilish pizza and creepy cupcakes follow from 6 to 6:30. Children of all ages are welcome. At 6:30, the grownups' party begins with performances by Berkshire Sings and Berkshire Ukelele Band. The free party includes a buffet with fiery grilled quesadillas, the devil's q-tips, warm cider, beer and wine. The lights will be off and projections, including the silent film "Nosferetu," will play against the library walls while a dimly lit bat chandelier dangles from the center of the room. Costumes are encouraged. 

Up Route 7 a ways, the Lenox Dale Fire Company will host its annual Halloween Parade, which will begin at 7 p.m. at St. Vincent dePaul Church on Crystal Street and proceed through the village, ending at the fire station on Elm Street. A party for the children will follow at the fire station; prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.

Had enough Halloween? The Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield is hosting a family board game day from 1 to 3 p.m. Kids of all ages are welcome to come play and compete in a wide variety of games, all provided by the library. Remember the joys of Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Scrabble and Jenga while trying out dozens of exciting and new board games. This family event is free. No registration is required but children under 10 must be accompanied at all times by an adult.

Then on Sunday, Nov. 2, you'll be well-rested for a new adventure, because you will "fall behind" at 2 a.m. and therefore get an extra hour of sleep. (It's the most wonderful day of the year, truly.) What adventure is that? Have you been to the "new" Clark Art Institute yet? If not, today's the day.

The Clark Art Institute will hold its first Family Day since its grand reopening in the summer from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Freedom Family Day is held in conjunction with the final day of the Clark’s exhibition "Radical Words: From Magna Carta to the Constitution," which features six documents critical to the formation of American democracy. Freedom Family Day features family-friendly gallery talks, David Grover and Friends leading sing-alongs featuring songs about peace, love and freedom; art-making projects and more. All activities and admission are free.

Oh, and don't forget to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Yes, it should be a family event. Bring the kids and let them see democracy in action. Just don't let them put the ballot in the machine. The election monitors really don't like that!

Rebecca Dravis is the community editor at iBerkshires. She can be reached at rdravis@iberkshires.com.