Quebec: Montreal, The Great Pumpkin Ball - Pumpkins, Storytelling, and Esmeralda the Friendly Witch.
The Montreal Insectarium and Botanical Garden is a blast in any season but each October it turns down right creepy – in a fun way. Look for Abracadabra; attend a Papo-citrouille play. Best of all create memories with your children.
Highlights of the 2011 Great Pumpkin Ball celebration include special activities such as the 24th annual pumpkin-decorating contest this year featuring hundreds of squash in many different shapes and colours, and witches, costumes, and storytelling.
Once upon a witch. In the Botanical Garden Main Exhibition Greenhouse children can find Esmeralda and Abracadabra's home. Esmeralda is the friendly witch who has funny magic formulas. Say hello and admire her enchanted home made of plants.
Where is Abracadabra? Esmeralda the witch has lost her cat, Abracadabra. Where is he hiding? Searching for the curious cat in the Little Monsters Courtyard is the perfect activity for children younger than 10.
Play detective with Papo-Citrouille? Attend a Papo-citrouille play created for young audience’s ages 4 to 8. In this series of five shows, Papo-citrouille features a pumpkin character who sets out looking for the origins of his name, and learns about the Maya and other Native people.
Bonus points: Papo-Citrouille plays have twice won the Masque des enfants terribles theatre award (in 2004 and 2006).
Checkout all of the pumpkins. Take part in the Botanical Garden's traditional pumpkin-decorating contest. Guests of all ages are encouraged to transform a pumpkin or squash into a witch, dragon, vampire, ghost or favorite creature. Bring your decorated entry to the Botanical Garden Reception Centre. All the masterpieces will be displayed in the Garden's Main Exhibition Greenhouse - The Great Pumpkin Ball.
Need to know: Contest rules available at
www.museumsnature.ca 
Can you say cucurbitaceae? A pumpkin by any other name is still a pumpkin right? Introducing the cucurbitaceae family. Join our exceptionally knowledgeable activity staff for a fascinating look at the some forty different kinds of squash grown at the Botanical Garden. Last year, they answered questions from over 6,500 curious visitors.
Bonus points: Try your hand at the UPA quiz, on your own, with the family or as a group of friends and it's a fun, quick way to brush up on agriculture facts!
Boo! Wander through the Insectarium and enjoy a variety of unique learning vignettes.
Bonus Points: The Magic of Lanterns will also be on until October 31.
Bug Out! Visit the all-new exhibition, We Are the Insects, and learn about a parallel universe - the universe of insects! You'll have fun and finally learn the answer to the question: Why are there so many insects? Come admire a beautiful, unusual world. Montreal Insectarium and Botanical Garden, Great Pumpkin Ball from October 6 to 31, 2011.
The Montreal Botanical Garden and Insectarium. are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily until October 31. General information: (514) 872-1400. Complete rates and schedules available at
www.museumsnature.ca
Please tell mom!
We want to expand our list of great family events and need your help. If you have a favorite fall festival or event please "
Tell Mom" and we will add it to the list. Make sure to include the name of the festival or event and its location on the planet as well as why you like it or what makes it worth the trip. Our next round up will include family-friendly winter celebrations and enchanting Santa Trains. We are building the list right now and would love to have your feedback. So just "
Tell Mom!"
