BY TAMAR LERER

In print | October 5, 2006

Oct. 8 – OutFest Festival Weekend

This annual block party to honor National Coming Out Day is a not-to-miss. From the Great Gayborhood Chili Cook-Off to lube wrestling with the Spartans Wrestling Team, there’s something for everyone. Show off your athletic side in the dance contest or high-heeled race, or enter your cat in the Annual Pet Show Contest (grand prize: Gayest Pet). If participating in the Penis-Shaped Bagel-Eating cCntest doesn’t appeal to you, check out the Health Zone, with breast exams and STD screening, or the Old Fashioned Flea Market. With the largest Coming Out Day event in the world right next door, there’s no reason not to go. Noon to 7 p.m. Visit http://phillypride.org for more info.

Now through Oct. 31 – Terror Behind the Walls

Halloween at the Eastern State Penitentiary is the only real way to do Halloween in Philadelphia. Ranked the sixth best haunted house in America by AOL, there are actually five distinct haunted houses at the Eastern State Penitentiary, and each one is guaranteed to scare even the bravest Swatties senseless. New this year is “Night Watch,” an attraction that leaves you alone in pitch-black darkness with nothing but your flashlight - finally, those Doom 3 skills you spent so many hours honing will come to good use. As you go through “Maximum Security,” ESP’s site warns you that “the prison might be abandoned, but you’re not alone. Scared Straight?” You bet I am. Tickets run from $20$30. Visit http://easternstate.org/ for more information and coupons.

Oct. 19-22 – Center City Arts and Culture Fest

There’s no excuse for not taking advantage of free admission to some of Philadelphia’s most popular attractions during the Center City Arts and Culture Fest. Enjoy the Free Night of Theater on Thursday, Oct. 19 by going to professional performances of real shows at no charge. Gallery Night has over 20 participating galleries guaranteed to make any student feel sophisticated. The Free Day of Museums on Sunday, Oct. 22 features most of the city’s best-known museums, including the Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In addition, there will be free classical music performances all weekend long. From the “My Home Planet Earth” at the Academy of Natural Sciences to “The Pillowman” at the Wilma Theater, there’s something for every cheapskate to enjoy. Visit http://phillyfunguide.com/ for more information.

Oct. 21 – Philadelphia Cares Day Volunteer-a-Thon

If you feel guilty about all the community service groups you signed up for at the activities fair that unfortunately conflicted with your Pub Night-centric schedule, join in this marathon day of service. The Volunteer-a-Thon aims to “give our children attractive and more functional learning environments,” says philacares.org. Volunteers will work at over 100 schools, refurbishing libraries, painting walls, landscaping gardens and restoring playground equipment. Over 15,000 volunteers contributed 60,000 hours of service last year, which is the “equivalent of 29 people working full time for a year.” The day kicks off at 8:30 a.m. at the Mann Music Center with pep rally and free breakfast. To register, visit http://philacares.org/.

Oct. 28 – Dracula Parade

You might be too old to trick-or-treat, but you’re never too old to take part in Philly’s ultimate Halloween event. The Rosenbach Museum and Library promises “ghoulish fun for everyone” as characters from the novel “Dracula” march around Rittenhouse Square to some spooky music. Spiral Q Puppet Theater will provide wolves and bats for the event. If you don’t have a costume, go to the Halloween Costume Workshop on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the museum. For free with the price of admission, you’ll receive materials and instructions on how to create a costume that surely will inspire envy in the heart of every Swattie. Visit http://www.rosenbach.org/ for more information and to RSVP.

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