Howling fun for little gremlins and big goblins alike

For munchkin-sized gremlins - and everyone who has once been young - Halloween conjures up thoughts of candy, trick-or-treating, candy, spooky or pretty costumes and more candy.

For the older goblins, the spooks get spookier, the costumes more elaborate, the eats take a decidedly adult slant and trick-or-treating gives way to dancing.

Whichever end of the spook gallery you are, the Carson City area has something to keep you spooked through the evening and beyond.

Adult

Doppelgangers Party "For the Doppelganger inside all," starting 8 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday. Costume party Friday with cash prizes. Dead D.J. performs 10 p.m. to closing. Street dance on Saturday next to the brewery at 302 N. Carson Street. Call 882-7787 or go to www.dopplegangersbrewry.com

Firkin Fright Night Halloween Party at The Firkin & Fox, 9 p.m. Costume contest, drink specials, live DJ and dancing. 310 S. Carson Street. Call 883-1369. On Saturday for Nevada Day, pub opens early, autograph session with 2008 American Olympic gold medalist for the 4x100 freestyle relay, Jason Lezak. Live music with Amazing Shane Dwight Band, BBQ and outdoor bars, raffles and giveaways.

Mo & Sluggo's Bar & Grill starts at 9 p.m., live music with Mark Castro, costume contest. 110 W. Telegraph St., Carson City, Call 885-1888.

Sparkey's Roadhouse Halloween Party, starts 7 p.m., live music with the Rustlers, costume contest with cash prizes. Grand prize are tickets to Las Vegas Rodeo.

Halloween party at Tommy's Neighborhood Bar, Road Dawgs perform, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., 260 W. Winnie Lane, Carson City. No cover charge; must be 21-older. Call 841-1912.

Halloween Grand Opening Celebration at NV50, 9:30 p.m.-3:30 a.m., 10051 East Highway 50, Mound House. Two rooms of sound and dancing with DJs T-dub, 9Lives, Red, costume contest, shot specials and more. Must be 21-older; ID required. Call 775-246-4477.

Gold Hill Hotel Halloween Party Dinner and Dance, 5 p.m.-Midnight, hotel on Hwy. 342. Party, dinner and dance, costume contest. Dance to the Red Rose Band 9 p.m.-midnight. No cover charge. Call (775) 847-0111.

Fright Night in Dayton, 6-8 p.m., Dayton Valley Gold and Country Club, 101 Palmer Drive, Dayton. Halloween comedy show with beverages available. Call 336-7979 or 246-7888, ext. 1.

Kids & Families

Pumpkin Patch. Small Blessings Preschool at First United Methodist Church, corner of Musser and Division streets. Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Trick-Or-Treat Town, 4-6 p.m., Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, 813 N. Carson St., Carson City. Features face painting, crafts and treats. Come in costume. Children $3, adults free. Call 884-2226.

Halloween Celebration, 3-8 p.m. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office Trick or Treat Safety Street at the CVIC Hall in Minden. Prizes, contests and plenty of candy from local business and merchants. $2 cover charge. Call 782-8153.

"Ghost Night", 5-10 p.m., C Street, Virginia City. Parade, safe trick-or-treating, Haunted Hallways at Fourth Ward School, cemetery walk, Haunted Mill on the Hill, Haunted Train rides, dance and costume contest, all at various locations; fee for some events. 847-7500.

Ghostly Pioneers of Old Town Dayton Return ... again and again, 5:30-9 p.m., Dayton Museum, Shady Lane at Logan Alley. Old Town Dayton comes alive"with the ghosts of our past with more to come. Pick up map for walking tour from museum. For $5 you can even "get hitched" by the ghostly Justice of the Peace, complete with a certified mock wedding certificate. Call (775) 246-0505.

Fourth Ward Haunted Halls at the Historic Fourth Ward School, 537 S. C Street Virginia City. Ghostly tours of the old school from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 16 and younger. Call 847-0975.

Grimes Castle, 3579 Hwy. 50 East, Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 1-2, 7-10 p.m. Admission is $12, with a $2 discount for two cans of food to go to Friends In Service Helping. Active duty military and their families receive a $3 discount. For more information or a group rate, call 220-5031 or visit the Web site: grimescastle.com

Virginia City Ghost Night features a parade and costume contest, a variety of haunted scenes and more. Goblin Parade, 5 p.m. at the Virginia City Jerky Company, 204 South C St. Registration is at 4 p.m. and lineup begins at 4:30 p.m. Children's forms must be signed by a parent or guardian. Call 847-4768

Calvary Chapel's Harvest Festival, 5 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on Pinenut Road. Suggested admission is two bags of candy per family. There will be cookie decorating, cake walk, entertainment and free food, drinks, games and candy. Non-frightening costumes encouraged. Information, 265-3259.

The Trinity Lutheran Church Harvest Party, 5-7 p.m. at the church, 1480 Douglas Ave., Gardnerville. Hot dogs, candy and game prizes provided. Information, 782-8153.