I hope you've been able to enjoy a few of the many fall festivals around the Broad Ripple area. Newfield's HARVEST brought ten thousand pumpkins to its outdoor campus and 62 hand-made and polka dot painted ones to an indoor gallery as part of the Infinity room installation by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. "My Eternal Love for the Pumpkins" is a visual delight that will make you giggle. HARVEST was just a weekend long celebration but you can experience Kusama's work thru March 2020.

The Headless Horseman is on the loose at Conner Prairie. More crafts and games for kids. Don't miss the spooky story and song presentation on the Symphony on the Prairie stage. Local actor Ty Stover is excellent. Beautista the Witch and Dr. Acula's Bite Neck Kitchen is geared for kids but leaves adults laughing too.

The Indianapolis Art Center opens its Faculty Exhibition, always a stunning collection of work from the IAC staff, during its Artspark Fall Festival this Saturday October 19th. That show is indoors but the rest of the days highlights will be outside.

You'll find seasonal wines and craft beers at all of these events. Oliver Winery had an outstanding selection for sipping at HARVEST. Sun King offers a special ale with notes of ginger, nutmeg and apple cider for Headless Horseman.

If you're looking for some ghoulish glog any day of the week, give Leelanau Cellars Witches Brew a try. It's a spicy, sassy red blend from Michigan. Heat it gently, don't boil and serve warm with a cinnamon stick. Or use as a base for Spooky Sangria and add some "frozen eyeballs" ( white and red grapes) before ladling into a cup or cauldron.

Still looking for a line of wine to sink your teeth into this Halloween season? Charles Smith Velvet Devil from Washington State delivers a lush, creamy, dark fruit flavor with a pitchfork full of vanilla and toasty oak. Ghoulishly gulpable, widely available, affordably priced.