Compiled by SALLY ANN SHURMUR

Star-Tribune staff writer

Theatrical performances, haunted houses and safe trick or treating opportunities are just some of the pumpkin patch full of activities that await young and old alike as this glorious late October week comes to an end.

Here are some activities available, as supplied to the newspaper:

Today

Join the Casper Children's Theatre for a Haunted Theatre from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight and Friday. The Children's Theatre at 138 S. Kimball (the Commissary Mall) will be transformed into a Haunted Theatre appropriate for children and adults 10 and older. Admission is $4 per person and all proceeds will benefit the programs of the Casper Children's Theatre. For more information, call 473-8470.

Haunted Hollywood is open from 5 to 10 p.m., today in the Eastridge Mall parking lot at the old Sonny's/Wine Rack building. On Halloween night, the Haunt is open from 4 to 6 p.m. with a special showing for young children and the faint of heart. Admission is $6 and proceeds will benefit Poverty Resistance. For more information, call Mary Ann or Serita at 232-8725.

There are many rumors of sighting of ghosts roaming the floors of the Casper Elks Lodge, but mainly in the basement level. Come see for yourself in the annual Haunted House in the basement of the lodge at the corner of Seventh and Center. The house will be open 6 p.m. to midnight today and Friday. Come to the Elks building and enter through the front doors, take a left to the stairs and creep if you must to the Haunted House. The house is open to the public, and admission $4 per person.

Through Halloween, First Christian Church will host its huge Pumpkin Patch at 520 CY Ave., (next to NCHS). Proceeds will support youth projects and organizations of the church. The Patch will be open daily from 4 to 7 p.m.

In addition to pumpkins, there are mini pumpkins, gourds and corn stalks and baked goods.

Library After School, at the Mills Library at 4 p.m. today, will include "ghostly games," for elementary-age students and their parents. Costumes are welcome. For more information, call 577-READ, ext 122.

The Casper Family Aquatic Center offers "Spooky Swim," a special pre-Halloween swim event from 7 to 9 p.m. today. This fun-filled family activity will feature scary lifeguards, spooky decorations, and a howling good time. Admission is $3 per person. All children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult in the water. All regular facility rules apply.

Stage III Community Theatre and the Casper Planetarium present "War of the Worlds," an adaption of H.G. Wells' novel, at 7:30 tonight, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday.All shows are held at the Planetarium, which is also the outlet for advance tickets.Admission is $6 per person.

The production is a readers theatre recreation of old-time radio theatre, enhanced with visual effects on the dome.The show is about one hour long and is suitable for all ages.

Members of the Natrona County High School Student Council will be in neighborhoods near the school, as well as in the Wolf Creek subdivision, to collect canned food for Joshua's Storehouse after 5 p.m. today to pick up donations. Residents may also leave the canned food in marked bags outside their homes for quick pick-up and no interruptions. For more information, call NCHS at 577-0330.

Trick or Treat Friday

First Southern Baptist Church, 2555 E. Second St., hosts Trunk for Treats on Friday. Meet Noah, Moses, David and Goliath and many other Bible characters as you travel around the different "trunks" of the Bible. There will be fun, candy, prizes, and a safe place to trick or treat for families from 6 to 8 p.m. in church's parking lot. For more information, call 265-6540.

Garden Square Assisted Living, 1950 S. Beverly, hosts its annual safe trick or treat for the children of Casper from 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday. For more information, call Candie Spencer at 472-1153.

Festivals, carnivals Friday

College Heights Baptist Church invites the public to the annual at the College Heights Community Center (formerly Garfield School at 1927 S. Walnut) from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday.The festival is an evening of family fun and includes supper, games, special booths, fellowship, candy, door prizes, and lots of fun for all ages. Admission is one canned good per person, which will be donated to the College Heights Oasis Food Pantry. Costumes (no scary ones please) are encouraged. Come as your favorite cartoon characters, Bible characters, and animals.For more information, call the College Heights Baptist Church office at 224-4111, ext. 103.

The Salvation Army, 625 S. Jefferson, hosts a Fall Carnival from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday. There will be games, food, a bouncy house and candy for the kids. There is no charge for the event and it is open to the public.

Cottonwood Elementary will host a Halloween Carnival on Friday with cotton candy, carnival games with prizes, a velcro wall, a zip-line, candy at each station, a live magic show, karaoke with live DJ and much more. The event is at the YMCA from 4 to 8 p.m. Each ride will cost $1 and admission is free. Every child must be accompanied by an adult due to safety regulations.

Haunted Houses Friday

In addition to the haunted houses mentioned above that are open on Friday:

"In Your Nightmares, a Haunted House" - two houses, one for 13 and older; one for under 13 at 136 S. Wolcott, Odd Fellows Building, is open from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday. Admission for 13 and older is $5 with nonperishable food item; under 13 is $3 with nonperishable food item. All proceeds will be donated to local nonprofit agencies. For more information, call 315-0247.

The Casper College Health Sciences Division will present a spooky night of X-rayed Halloween treats, a haunted house (for children 8 and older), carnival (for children 2 and older), prizes and treats for all those who visit the Saunders Health Science Center at Casper College on Halloween night.

Everyone attending is asked to bring a nonperishable food item for entrance to the haunted house. All collected food items will then be given to a local food pantry.

The Halloween fun will take place throughout the Saunders Health Science Center from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.