Colorado Springs might have the reputation of being awash in righteous Christians, but we can still party like the pagans did.

This year, as in years past, the city will celebrate Halloween on its historic date, Oct. 31, which falls on a Wednesday. That’s the same date our pagan ancestors — at least those of us who claim a Celtic background — celebrated Samhain, when it was believed the ghosts of the dead returned to Earth.

Not only can ghosts and ghouls dance under the same dark sky as the Druids did, but there is also no attempt in this city to hobble Halloweeners with limited trick-or-treating hours. Apparently, we’re open to letting the little monsters learn what it means to ring a doorbell when the porch light is out.

Neither is the case in a motley collection of Midwest cities. The reactionaries of Racine, Wis., for example, have decided kids can go trick-or-treating only on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. The pursed-lip dowagers of Plymouth, (that figures) Wis., have gone one better: Kids in that town can extort candy only from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Geez, why not just burn the little witches at the stake?

Then there’s those contrarians in the Show-Me State. The Town Council of Cardwell, Mo., recently decided to join surrounding towns in celebrating Halloween on Oct. 30, apparently because Wednesday is a church night.

The chief of police of Cardwell, population 780, apparently feared an invasion of ruffians on a sugar high if the city didn’t follow the lead of its municipal neighbors:

“If we are the only town that chooses to celebrate Halloween on the actual day, then we are going to have the kids from other towns that trick-or-treated the night before over here on Wednesday night,” said Anthony Parker, as reported by the Daily Dunklin Democrat.

“I think we will be setting ourselves up for trouble if we don’t follow the other towns.”

Despite our city’s decision to dance with the devil on his night, it has encountered little trouble in years past, according to Gazette archives.

HALLOWEEN EVENTS

WEATHER

The weather for Halloween 2007 appears, uncharacteristically, to hold no devilish surprises. The National Weather Service predicts Wednesday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 56 degrees. When night falls and the creatures begin to roam, the service said, ghouls and goblins can expect clear skies, with a low near 33 degrees.

DAYLIGHT SAVING

Until this year, daylight saving time in America ended a few days before Halloween. A new law extends it to the first Sunday in November. David Prerau, author of “Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time,” reports the change was made partly because children’s pedestrian deaths are four times higher on Halloween than on any other night of the year. However, he said candy manufacturers have lobbied for a daylight saving time extension to Halloween for decades, thinking they’d sell more candy since many young trick-or-treaters are not allowed out after dark.

SAFETY TIPS

- Plan on bright, reflective costumes.

- Make sure shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame from jack-o’-lanterns.

- Place burning jack-o’-lanterns away from where children will be.

- Because a mask can limit or block eyesight, consider using makeup or a decorative hat as a safe alternative.

- Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-ortreat bags for greater visibility.

- Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.

- Use flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts. Parents should walk with young children, carrying a cell phone.

- Have a plan in the event of being separated from your children.

- Be cautious when driving through a neighborhood.

- Parents should examine all treats before letting children eat them.

EVENTS

TODAY

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT: 6:30-9:30 p.m., Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, one mile south of South Academy Boulevard on Colorado 115. Daily pass, $6 per vehicle. Food, games and moonlight hikes. Children must be accompanied by an adult: 576-2251.

“BOO AT THE ZOO”: 5:30-8 p.m. today through Sunday, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, $15 for ages 3-65, free for younger than 3 or older than 65. Last ticket sold at 7:30 p.m.; www. cmzoo.org or 633-9925.

SATURDAY FALL FESTIVAL: Hosted by Northtree Ranch House with pumpkins, live music, cookies, cider, face painting and trick-or-treating, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Banning Lewis Ranch, 6885 Vista Del Pico, free; 522-2432.

“CREATURES OF THE NIGHT”: Presented by the Ellicott Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, 9-10 a.m., Wild Bird Center, 1722 E. Woodmen Road. Reservations required: 548-9863.

“PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY AND JACK-O’-LANTERN TRAIL” Fountain Creek Nature Center hikes, 320 Peppergrass Lane, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. pumpkin carving, $2 per person; 5:30-8 p.m. jack-o’-lantern walk, $3 per person. Reservations required: 520-6745.

“TARANTULAS AND OTHER CREEPY CRAWLIES”: 10 a.m., Fountain Library Branch, 230 S. Main St., Fountain, free; 382-5347.

FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL: 1-4 p.m., Garden Ranch YMCA, 2380 Montebello Drive West. Carnival games, crafts, face painting and more, free; 593-9622 or www.ppymca.org.

“TREATS ON THE STREETS”: Trickor-treating at downtown shops along Tejon and Bijou streets from 3 to 5 p.m.; free hayrides from Acacia Park to the YMCA, 207 N. Nevada Ave. or from the YMCA to Acacia Park; “Fall Family Festival,” 5-7 p.m. at the YMCA with food, prizes, games, moon bounce, costume contest and more, free; www.downtown80903.com or downtown.ppymca.org.

FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL: 5-7 p.m., Briargate YMCA, 4025 Family Place. Moon bounce, costume contest, trunkor-treat, arts and crafts, cakewalk, carnival games and more, free; 282-9622 or www.ppymca.org.

SPOOKTACULAR: 6-8 p.m., Fountain Valley YMCA, 301 E. Iowa Ave., Fountain. $3 per children for fun and games or $5, which includes dinner. Free for adults; 382-1561 or www.ppymca.org.

SECOND ANNUAL PUMPKIN PATCH: With inflatables, games, costume contest (friendly costumes only) and more, 6-9 p.m., Aerials Gymnastics, 3536 Hartsel Drive, $10 per person with a $25 maximum per family; 260-1893.

“STORIES IN THE DARK”: Suggested for children 8 and older, 7-7:45 p.m., Monument Library Branch, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Drive, Monument, free; 488-2370.

SUNDAY

“HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR”: Colorado Springs Philharmonic, costume contest and activities in lobby at 1:30 p.m., concert begins at 2:30 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., $9-$15; 884-2110 or www. csphilharmonic.org.

“TARANTULAS AND OTHER CREEPY CRAWLIES”: 1:30 p.m., Sand Creek Library Branch, 1821 S. Academy Blvd., free; 597-7070. HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL: 4-8 p.m., El Paso County Fair Grounds, Swink Hall, Calhan. Free admission; Julie Sage, 243-4833.

MONDAY UCCS BOO-ZAR: Games, prizes and candy for children in preschool through grade 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m., UCCS Gymnasium, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway. Free admission; donations for Make-A-Wish Foundation requested; e-mail, lmyers@uccs.edu.

“STORIES IN THE DARK”: Suggested for children 8 and older, 7-7:45 p.m., Briargate Branch Library, 9475 Briar Village Point, 260-6882; Rockrimmon Library Branch, 832 Village Center Drive, 593-8000; free.

“WITCHES AND HALLOWEEN — SAMHAIN AND THE PAGAN NEW YEAR” OPEN FORUM: 7-8:30 p.m., Celebration Conscious Living Store, 2209 W. Colorado Ave., $5 donation; 634-1855.

TUESDAY

HALLOWEEN DOUBLE FEATURE: “Halloween 4,” “Halloween 5” and a special bonus documentary, 7:30 p.m., Tinseltown, 1545 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., $10; www.fathomevents. com.

WEDNESDAY

HALLOWEEN SAFE TREATS AND COSTUME CONTEST: 3-6 p.m. trickor-treating, Old Colorado City; 5-6 p.m. costume contest, Meadow Muffins, 2432 W. Colorado Ave.; www.shopoldcoloradocity.com.

THE GLASS HOUSE HAUNTED HOUSE: Multicultural haunted house, which will include demons and ghosts form legends and tall tales from various cultures, 5 p.m., The Glass House (Lennox), 1001 N. Nevada Ave., free; 389-6607.

“MALLOWEEN”: Store-to-store trickor-treating, 5-7 p.m., The Citadel mall, 750 Citadel Drive East, free; www. shopthecitadel.com.

FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL: 5-7 p.m., Southeast Armed Services YMCA, 2190 Jetwing Drive. Games, crafts and more, free; 622-9622 or www.ppymca. org.

“NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM”: Ghoulish characters from the past will be lurking around the Depot with goodies available for trick-or-treaters, 5-9 p.m., Cripple Creek District Museum, 5th and Bennett avenues, Cripple Creek, $3 admission; www.cripplecreek.org.

“BOO-RITO”: Dress up as your favorite burrito, or other item from Chipotle’s menu, and visit any local Chipotle Mexican Grill between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. and receive free food; www.chipotle.com.

“TRUNK-OR-TREAT”: Children can go car to car collecting goodies. Refreshments will be available, 5:30-7 p.m., Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, 120 N. 31st St.; 632-9394.

FIFTH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN HARVEST PARTY: 5:30-8 p.m., Creekside Middle School, 1330 Creekside Drive, Monument. Free candy, games, costume contest and more; www.ppymca. org.

HALLOWEEN MURDER MYSTERY DINNER: 5:45 p.m., The Melting Pot, 30-A Pikes Peak Ave. Proceeds benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, $60 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations required: 385-0300.

“NIGHT OF LIGHT”: With children’s carnival games and candy, 6-8 p.m., Chapel Hills Baptist Church, 2025 Parliament Drive. No gory or scary costumes. Admission is a bag of candy per child; www.chapelhills.org or 598-5086.

“HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREAT COOKING” COOKING CLASS: 6 p.m., Chefs Catalog, 5070 Centennial Blvd., $60. Registration required: 272-2700.

HALLOWEEN CONCERT: Presented by Pikes Peak Community College Music Department, 8 p.m., Pikes Peak Community College, The Downtown Studio Campus, 100 W. Pikes Peak Ave., free; 502-3135.