Costume Contest

Astronauts, doctors, firemen, mad scientists, princesses and witches went door-knocking in Oakenshawe on Sunday. They looked awfully young for their chosen professions, but just the right age to be trick-or-treating. Dozens of children and their parents joined Oakenshawe's annual Halloween parade, while Remington scared up a good crowd for its new Hauntingdon event in the 2900 block of Huntingdon Avenue. The two events were among many in north Baltimore last weekend, including a Halloween Haunted Adventure at the Roosevelt Recreation Center in Hampden and merchant-sponsored trick-or-treating and a costume contest on The Avenue in Hampden.

Take a haunted tour guided by 'Norman Bates' at Hitchcock after Dark , Saturday, Oct. 22, 8-10 p.m., Riverfront Park at end of Avondale Street. This fundraiser is presented by Venus Theatre, 21 C St. Tours also available Saturday, Oct. 29. Two nights only with four tours, half mile each, one starting at 8 p.m. and one at 9 p.m. each of the Saturdays. Enjoy s'mores, fall beverages, Hitchy costume contest and outdoor move, "The Birds!" Best Hitchcock costume wins door prize. Wear comfortable shoes and bring flashlight and movie watching blanket.

A Taste of Hampden, the popular annual benefit for the Hampden Family Center, is Thursday, Oct. 25, from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $30 each, with all proceeds earmarked for the center. As the number of great restaurants in Hampden increases, this event becomes more than a good charity event, but a bargain for foodies. You get to sample the offerings from a number of Hampden's award-winning restaurants, you get to enjoy tasty beverages, and you get to hang out with some awesome folks.

If your favorite food truck wasn't in its regular location on Tuesday, it's because it went to Hopkins. Some 22 food trucks in all were dispatched to Johns Hopkins Medicine facilities all over creation, from Bayview to Homewood to Green Spring Station. The Food Truck Frenzy was hosted by Johns Hopkins Medicine as part of its United Way campaign. The trucks were planning to make a donation to the campaign as was the Maryland Mobile Food Vendors Association. The trucks were scheduled to serve at Hopkins sites from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Baltimore's food trucks return to McHenry Row for a special Halloween Gathering . The rally will include an adult costume contest - the grand prize is a stay in the McHenry Row guest suite.

Fans of horror flicks will enjoy the family-friendly Blobfest 2007 at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, Pa. The event kicks off Friday night with a "running-out-of-the-theater" scene reenactment, as well as a live band, a tinfoil-hat competition, a scream contest and the Shorty Awards, recognizing the winners of a B-movie-filmmaking competition. There will also be a parade, a costume contest, classic cars, movie-showings, more music and guest appearances Saturday by people in the horror-movie industry.

The Owen Brown Merchants Association will sponsor a Halloween costume contest and parade at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Owen Brown Village Center.Registration begins at 5 p.m.; the costume parade begins at 6 p.m.First-, second- and third-place awards will be given in four age groups: under 2; 3-4; 5-8; and 9-12. Participants will receive a free trick-or-treat bag.A prize also will be given for the best adult costume.The event will also feature Mr. B; Dolly the Dancing Elephant; and Barney Moose.

Northeastern Maryland Kennel Club's third annual Responsible Dog Ownership Day will be observed Sept. 25, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Abingdon PetSmart, 412 Constant Friendship Blvd. Free, and open to well-behaved pets and their owners, the event will feature demonstrations and contests. Harford County Executive David Craig will be on hand to officially declare "Responsible Dog Ownership Day" in Harford County, followed by Northastern Maryland Kennel Club and Harford County Sheriff Jesse Bane presenting an American Kennel Club grant check to Mason Dixon Rescue Dogs.

Children's event Grace Baptist Church of Sunset Beach presents this event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the church, 17 Somerset Road in Pasadena. Free event includes crafts for the kids, a costume contest and more. Information: 410-255-5616.  Fall Festival The Chesapeake Christian Center holds its annual Fall Festival beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at 206 Weston Woods in Pasadena. Children's activities include face-painting, games and free candy.

A three-day Star Trek convention featuring a galaxy of activities will be held today through Sunday at Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn.Upward of 1,500 die-hard Star Trek and general science fiction fans are expected to attend the conclave, Shore Leave 14, organizers say."Many people think that Star Trek conventions are underground, cultish gatherings," said Rosanna Kroll, media and public relations chair of the Star Trek Association of Towson, which is sponsoring the event. "However, non-fans have come to conventions to try them and ended up enjoying them."

Nearly perfect autumn weather - a mix of clouds and sun, with temperatures reaching the 70s - is expected today as Downs Park holds its annual outdoor fall crafts fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. "With lots of food, fun and shopping for the entire family, the day is sure to be a delight," said Park Ranger Stacey Bishop. More than 80 crafts exhibitors are expected to participate, setting up tables along park paths overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. The event also will include children's activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a costume contest for youngsters at 1 p.m. No rain date has been set for the crafts fair.