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. 

IrishFest

OK, so it's officially called the Greater Hartford Irish Music Festival. But it's so much more than music.

The St. Patrick's Pipe Band

Let's just say that if you're in Connecticut - or have the means to get here - in late July, you must make it a priority to get to this shindig. This year, it took place July 29-31. Rain or shine, it's just a great time regardless of whether you have any Irish in your family history (I don't).