WEIRD & WHIMSICAL THINGS TO DO IN OCTOBER

Or, why not have some fun with pirates, pumpkins and posh pet costumes

Compiled by the Lady Beatrice Blitterlees and edited by The Earl of Craboon, a lively lollygagging two-some in the Court of Quintessentially Quirky Quaffers & Quidnuncs

For those who can’t wait for the autumn equinox, falling leaves, and senseless scarecrows, October has just arrived.

Just think of it, only three months to go before that flighty fellow in the red suit comes riding by with his gunnysack full of great stuff for all the good guys and gals.

In the meantime, there’s plenty to do keep the mind occupied, especially if you into pirates, pumpkins and posh pet costumes.

October 2 – Pump Up Your Pumpkin! – You’ll need to practice your yodeling for this one because it’s in Zurich, Switzerland at the Jucker Farmart where everyone loves to weigh in on heavy matters, especially who has the plumpest pumpkin? Last year the prize went to a honking great thing – 341 kilograms (the density of a disproportionate duchess).

October 7 – Loomis Egglant Festival – So you hate “aubergine”, can’t spell it and haven’t developed a taste for it yet, but you might just want to visit the Sierra Nevada mountains of California and visit the town of Loomis where eggplant entries race down a wooden plank in children’s wagons just for the heck of it. Quit complaining…give it a shot!

October 8 – World Conker Championships – Why not be among 500 contestants or 5,000 lollygagging leisure-minded folk…after all, if you can’t toss chestnuts on an open fire the least you can do is join in this saucy sporting event at Ashton Village Green in the U.K.

20-29 October – Fantasy Fest – Can’t wait to don your dorky duds/dazzling diva outfits or posh pet poofery? Well why not take in a week of wonk and weird happenings in Key West Florida on the “Dis-Oriented Express” including masquerade balls, quirky costume events, plumed parades, and much jest if not wholesome jocularity and joy-riding!

21-22 October – Wooly Worm Festival – Vanity-conscious virmiculturists will be pleased to know that they have a special spot to hang out every year. Why not rub shoulders with 1,000 creepy-inspired contestants along with 20,000 more of their furry friends and watch them race their colorful curious critters in Banner Elk, North Carolina.

27 October – November 5 – Pirates Week Festival – Captain Morgan, Captain of the HMCS Pinafore, and Captain Hook invite you to the balmy buccaneers in Georgetown, Cayman Islands for some roguish rum-running and romping about in style!

21-28 October – Circleville Pumpkin Show – Wanna join a crowd of quirky characters (300,000 strong)? Then head on over to a town outside of Columbus, Ohio where they plug the fact they have pumpkins that weigh more than 1,300 lbs., toss the orange orbs all over the place, and invite everyone to join in hog calling and pumpkin pie eating contests.

28-29 October – Witch Festival – If you’re a fan of frightening films, boisterous broomsticks, and wicked wenches, or have an interest in connecting to your Celtic past, casting spiffy spells in a curious coven, now you can join in with other saucy spooks and visit a scary supernatural spot called “Devil’s Point” (the Fort of Cognelot in France).

And whatever you do this month, make sure you keep your eye out for Monster Mashers, Troll Trouncers, and the spunkiest spirit of all, "The Great Pumpkin"!

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And if you can't get enough of those priceless pumpkins, you can always pay a visit to the Quipping Queen's Corner.