Weekend Events

Ghouls and Gourds
This Sunday, Ghouls and Gourds transforms Brooklyn Botanic Garden for a Halloween celebration, featuring live music, workshops, exhibits, and a children’s book fair. The event closes with Northern Brazilian drum corps Maracatu NY leading a costume parade. Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free for kids under 16. Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Casino Night
Tonight is Casino Night at the Montauk Club in Park Slope. Tickets sales benefit the Park Slope Geriatric Day Center as well as the exterior restoration initiative of the Friends of The Montauk Club. Tickets entitle you to open bar and $100 in chips. Raffle prizes include an iPod Nano, a week at a Hawaii timeshare, a day at a local spa, health club memberships, personal nutrition advice, a night at the Metropolitan Opera, a day of sailing, and more. Friday, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. $125. Tickets must be purchased in advance. 25 Eighth Avenue.

Bed-Stuy Pet-Stuy Horror Haunt
On Saturday, Bed-Stuy welcomes animal-owner pairs for this inaugural Halloween costume contest. Costumes will be judged on originality and creativity. There will be first, second and third prizes for best human/pet costume combo, scariest/weirdest pet costume and cutest pet costume. For more information, contact Bedstuypetstuy AT gmail DOT com. Saturday, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fulton Park, Fulton Street (between Lewis and Stuyvesant Avenues).

Fulton Street Halloween Fest
On Saturday, stop by Fulton Street for some family fun. Face painters and balloon artists will entertain while children at adjacent craft tables will color in Halloween-themed paper bags. Children that participate in the craft event will be given Halloween-related toys and candy to be included in their bag. Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Albee Square (between Flatbush Avenue. and Albee Square West). (718) 403-1643.

Akwaaba Mansion Party
Today The Akwaaba Mansion Bed & Breakfast hosts the 3rd Annual Haunted House Party, including music, dancing, light fare, a cash bar, a costume party, and an auction. Costumes are strongly encouraged. All proceeds benefit the Annual Fulton Park Tree Lighting Ceremony. Check the website for ticketing information. Friday, 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. $30. 347 MacDonough Street (between Lewis and Stuyvesant Avenues).

9th Annual Great Pupkin Dog Costume Contest
SaturdaySunday, Fort Greene PUPS will host the 9th Annual Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest in Fort Greene Park. This year’s contest will feature dogs competing for prizes in front of judges Robin Lester (founder, Clinton Hill Blog), Ellie Balk (fine artist and muralist), and Carl Grauer (co-owner, RePop). Saturday, 11:30 a.m. registration; 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. judging. $5 suggested donation. Fort Greene Park (top of the hill, near the monument).

Hoedown Under the Bridge
This Sunday, join the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and Big Apple Ranch for an afternoon of country-western dancing. Grab your cowboy boots and head over to the cove for an overview of basic line-dancing and two-step moves followed by an hour-long social dance. Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Brooklyn Bridge Park, Main Street section.

Record Swap
This Sunday, stop by Savalas for a record swapping event with local DJs and collectors. Sunday, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Free; $10 a table to sell. 285 Bedford Avenue (between S 1st and Grand).

Cityscapes ’06-’07 Opening
This Saturday, The Garage Gallery hosts an opening reception for the work of photographer Sam Horine. Saturday, 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 291 8th Street (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues).

Electronics Recycling in Bay Ridge
On Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (and again on Monday from 4 p.m.-7 p.m), bring your old computers, tv’s and cellphones to the recycling drop-off center at the Poly Prep campus in Bay Ridge (7th Avenue @ Baseball Field, ¼ mile south of 92nd Street). Call 718-748-5200 for more information.

Have an event you think we should list? Send it along to events@brownstoner.com.