Halloween for the Die-Hards - Middletown, Conn.

Halloween, where it's OK to pose
for photos with perfect strangers. 

I am a Halloween fanatic, plain and simple. There's not been a single Halloween that's come and gone without my donning a costume and making it a priority to find my way to a festive party. Candy is always an added plus, of course, and then there's the fact that my birthday follows two days later. It's really just a week filled with sugary happiness.

Halloween stands out as my favorite holiday, hands down. I love the fact that dressing up as someone you're not gives you some kind of magical power to be whomever you want to be. I find that people in costume instinctively become more outgoing, jollier versions of themselves.

The Joker, at last year's Wadsworth party.
Awesome, obviously.

Today's Stefcations Highlights:

• What You'll Find: The best Halloween party around! (21+)
• Where You'll Find it: Wadsworth Mansion, Middletown, Conn.
• When to Go: Saturday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m.-12 a.m.
• Cost: $38 a person. Buy your ticket online. Doooooo it. 

More awesome people
at last year's Wadsworth party.

At any given Halloween party, I find that you can enthusiastically compliment perfect strangers on their outfits, without getting any weird looks. You can walk up to zombies and movie stars alike, and ask to pose for a photo, sans any awkwardness. Halloween, for me, never fails to be a really, really good time.

Wolverine giving
the smackdown. Love it.

So this year, I'll be appearing as Peanuts' Lucy, with Charlie Brown in tow, at the Wadsworth Haunted Mansion's Costume Bash in Middletown, Conn. If you're up for a completely fantastic party with some super cool, friendly, fun-loving people, I very, very highly recommend this particular soiree. I was there last year with several friends, as you can see from the photos, and we had a total blast.

Tickets are $38 a person and will get you some light dinner fare (think carving station, crudite, veggies and dip), a nightlong dance party with other costumed Halloween enthusiasts, and entry into the costume contest. Bring some extra cash for the bar, raffle tickets, and the palm reader. All the funds raised go toward supporting the Wadsworth Mansion.

My scarecrow husband befriending Maverick and a sailor gal.

Want more info? Visit http://www.wadsworthmansion.com/. Happy Halloween!