If it’s nearly Halloween, there must be a host of Edgar Allan Poe-inspired happenings taking place.
Richmond residents can get a head start on Halloween festivities at the Poe Museum’s last Unhappy Hour of the season tomorrow, October 27 (6-9 p.m.). Head back to the museum (left) on Saturday for Poe’s Pumpkin Patch, a party for readers of all ages. Among the activities on the agenda are pumpkin decorating, a “Black Cat” pinata, and a mummy-wrapping contest inspired by one of Poe’s stories. The museum encourages attendees to bring along the kids, especially if you want to “make sure [they] grow up weird.” Now there’s an invitation that might be hard to refuse. Entry to the extravaganza is included with regular museum admission.
If you’d like to find out “how Halloween is an ideal time of year to celebrate the works of Edgar Allan Poe,” stop by the National Historic Site dedicated to the writer in Philadelphia. At 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, October 29 and 30, a park ranger will lead the 45-minute illustrated presentation at Poe’s former abode, and on Friday, October 28, the themed talk will take place at the Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank of the United States at Independence National Historical Park, also at 2 p.m.
In Baltimore this Sunday, October 30 (6-9 p.m.), is Poe’s Frightful Halloween at Westminster Hall, with a dramatic reading of “A Monkey’s Paw,” a costume contest, and more. Admission is $10 for adults, $3 for kids 12 and under. Proceeds are going to the Poe House and Museum, which has had its funding cut by the city of Baltimore and is in danger of closing its doors for good. Also in support of the historic landmark is The Spirit of Poe anthology, coming from Literary Landmark Press the first week in November.
New Yorkers will have to wait a little longer to visit the recently-refurbished Poe Cottage in the Bronx. The New York Times article “Poe’s Cottage, Weak and Weary No More” has the run-down on the house and a newly-constructed, imaginative visitor center.
Midwesterners can join our friend and fellow literary traveler Gary Wyatt this Friday, October 28 (7-9 p.m.) at Belmont Vineyards & Winery in Leasburg, Missouri, where he’ll be reading “The Raven” and other Poe tales. Cheers to that.
noveldestinations.com 
4 comments
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October 26, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Gary Wyatt
Thanks, Ladies , for featuring me,and my Poe reading on your website page. I greatly appreciate the plug for me! I am excited to be doing this!
Your literary buddy,
gary
October 26, 2011 at 10:04 pm
noveldestinations
Good luck! It sounds like a fun evening. We’ll be there in spirit…as, perhaps, will Poe.
October 28, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Sarah @ Word Hits
Great ideas for conjuring up Poe this Halloween weekend!
October 30, 2011 at 6:37 pm
Gary Wyatt
The Poe reading at Belmont Winery , for our first time at this, went quite well. We had about 40 people show up, even tho it was the last night of the World Series. The Cards won it! I know lots of people were checking the score on their cell phones.
Anyway, I read The Cask of Amontillado, The Black Cat, Tell Tale Heart,and then closed with The Raven,and a cute parody of it I found online. Featured below. Enjoy!
The End of the Raven
by Edgar Allan Poe’s cat
On a night quite unenchanting, when the rain was downward slanting,
I awakened to the ranting of the man I catch mice for.
Tipsy and a bit unshaven, in a tone I found quite craven,
Poe was talking to a Raven perched above the chamber door.
“Raven’s very tasty,” thought I, as I tiptoed o’er the floor,
“There is nothing I like more.”
Soft upon the rug I treaded, calm and careful as I headed
Towards his roost atop that dreaded bust of Pallas I deplore.
While the bard and birdie chattered, I made sure that nothing clattered,
Creaked or snapped or fell or shattered, as I crossed the corridor;
For his house is crammed with trinkets, curios and weird decor —
Bric-a-brac and junk galore.
Still the Raven never fluttered, standing stock-still as he uttered,
In a voice that shrieked and sputtered, his two cents’ worth –
“Nevermore.”
While this dirge the birdbrain kept up, oh, so silently I crept up,
Then I crouched and quickly leapt up, pouncing on the feathered bore.
Soon he was a heap of plumage, and a little blood and gore –
Only this and not much more.
“Oooo!” my pickled poet cried out, “Pussycat, it’s time I dried out!
Never sat I in my hideout talking to a bird before;
How I’ve wallowed in self-pity, while my gallant, valiant kitty
Put an end to that darned ditty” – then I heard him start to snore.
Back atop the door I clambered, eyed that statue I abhor,
Jumped – and smashed it on the floor.
I got lots of compliments,and the biggest compliment is the winery asked me if I’d like to do this again next year.
Thanks Ladies for a wonderful feature on your webpage in honor of Poe and to those of us that love him.
Gary Wyatt