With the publication of this article, we will be at the beginning of October. With that, we enter the final quarter of 2015, as 2016 is a mere three months away from October's commencement. Call me conceited, but personally, my favorite thing to look forward to in October is my birthday. I finally turn 18 this Saturday, and in light of that fact, here are eighteen things that many should look forward to in the tenth month of the year.
1. Candy, Candy, and More Candy!
What is October without excessive amounts of candy? Halloween and candy go together hand-in-hand, and, as a result, the whole month is filled with sweet, chocolatey, fruity goodness. Also because of the celebratory nature of it's end, October is the one month a year where you can eat as much candy as you want without being judged by others, because they're likely carrying some candy around too.
2. A Beautiful Sight
It just so happens to be fall around this time too, which makes for the perfect outdoor conditions, also known as "Sweater Weather." It's not cold to the point that coats and boots are required to go around everywhere, nor is it hot to the point that barely wearing anything still makes you sweat seemingly without end. One of the most beautiful sights during this season is the changing of the colors of the leaves from their typical green to scarlet red, brown, and orange, all colors that are now associated with the autumn season. Even better is watching them fall to the ground on a cool, sunny day.
3. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
One of the greatest cartoons ever to be made for the month's final day, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" is a PEANUTS classic that is arguably at the top of all Halloween-themed shows ever to be created. It has the rare quality of being enjoyable to watch over and over again, even if it is the exact same thing year after year. The fact that it only comes on once a year also makes die-hard Charlie Brown fans anticipate its arrival, similar to the way that episode protagonist Linus Van Pelt awaits the fabled "Great Pumpkin". Watching this will leave fans with more than the rocks that Charlie Brown receives for trick-or-treating.
4. Treehouse of Horror XXVI
The Simpsons has been a staple of Sunday night primetime entertainment since its beginning in 1989. Twenty-six years later, the show is still arguably the best-animated series ever created and is by far the longest-running animated series in television history. One of the series' tradition is the "Treehouse of Horror" special, a Halloween-themed series of shorts combining the eventful lives of the Simpson family with the supernatural. October 25th is the date for the airing of the 26th edition of this special, sure to laugh and freak out fans at the same time.
5. The Pumpkin Transformation
All credit goes to my friend for reminding me of this, but October is the month where pumpkins stand tall above any other fruit or another food item. With both connections to Halloween and the fact that they just taste so good, pumpkins are the signature of October. I've heard about pumpkin spice lattes so much that I've equated them to a drug for how addicted people seem to be with them. Many will tell you that you are missing out if you don't try one of these, but between that, pumpkin pies, and pumpkin bread, there's no avoiding the fruit this month.
6. Yet Another Presidential Debate
October 28th in Boulder, Colorado will be the time and place of the next of the Republican party presidential debate. If the first three debates are any indicator of what is to come in the Rocky Mountains, fans will tune in by the millions to hear what the Republican party nominee hopefuls have to say as they all try to become the 45th President of the United States. Whether you're there to listen to the stands on issues that Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, Rand Paul, and Marco Rubio have or are just anticipating what controversial thing Donald Trump will say next, it is sure to be a highly viewed event.
7. Caring for Some Animals
October also happens to be National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month. As someone who has a soft side for animals, this only makes this month even greater, as it is when the need to adopt these canines in need of a home is given the most attention. Granted, every month should be given this title, it is October that is in fact granted National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month.
8. Walking for a Purpose
As much as October is known for Halloween, it is also known (or should be known) as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In sports, players and coaches show their support by wearing pink equipment. The most publicized show of support for breast cancer is the annual "Walk for a World Without Breast Cancer" that takes place every weekend in October. It's a great way to show support for breast cancer while raising money to fight the condition.
9. Honoring the Navy and the Marines
Fleet Week San Francisco is the Bay Area's opportunity to honor the nation's men and women of the Navy and marine services. The event features Navy ship tours and an air show. No matter how active you are in the Navy and marine services, it is still an entertaining event to go to, and there is never a reason not to honor those who protect us.
10. Fall Break
For all the colleges and universities that had the early semester start in August have a brief period of relaxation coming up in a couple of weeks with Fall Break. Though it may only be two days added on to the weekend following October 9th, it is still a much-needed break for students who have worked nearly two months straight before even reaching the middle of October. Students can return home to see their families, or stay at their schools for school-sponsored events.
11. Wining & Dining in NYC
Staying true to my hometown, one of New York's most popular events in October is the New York City Wine and Food Festival. An event where New Yorkers can dine with the culinary elite as well as some of the city's most popular icons, the Wine and Food Festival is at the top of the city's go-to events for the month. What also makes the event so special is that it doubles as a charity event, with 100% of the proceeds and donations from the event going to the Food Bank for New York City and the No Kid Hungry campaign. For one four-day stretch this month, people can help the Food Network-sponsored event to "Eat. Drink. End Hunger."
12. Oktoberfest
The quintessential event for beer lovers and fans of everything German, Oktoberfest is the biggest beer-drinking and merrymaking event there is. Even though the event is most popular in Germany, there are many celebrations here in the United States, most notably Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, tellingly held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Dutch, known for high numbers of German immigrant populations are also known for having many Oktoberfest celebrations. No matter the Oktoberfest, there should be plenty of beer and fun. Drink up!13. Films, Films, and More Films!
With October comes the annual New York Film Festival. Started in 1962, the festival highlights the best in world cinema, featuring a blend of top films from world-renowned filmmakers and newcomers to the film industry alike. With a select group of individuals and film industry professionals determining which movies will be shown at the festival, these people have ensured that there is no shortage on entertainment through October 11th.
14. Deciding a Champion in the Baseball World
Fans of "America's Pastime" know this very well: October means World Series. Last year the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants battled it out the full seven games to decide who would be champions, and the final game was decided by one point. While Giants fans may still be rejoicing in their team's victory last year, even they know that there is a slim probability that they will repeat this season, forcing them to cheer for their Giants harder and harder as the team's season nears its end, as it will for all of the MLB's teams by the end of the month.
15. New England Patriots @ Indianapolis Colts
By the start of October, NFL football will already be well underway. Three weeks worth of football will have been completed, and the classic rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers will be reignited to start the month. However, no match-up will be more hyped than the one between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts on October 18th. Lucas Oil Stadium will be running rampant with Patriots haters looking for their Colts to finally get that win over Tom Brady that has eluded them since the days of Peyton Manning. The Colts were the team to start the Deflategate scandal that has irked the league for half a year, and they would like nothing more than to finally beat the team that has knocked them out of the playoffs each of the last two seasons.
16. The Return of Basketball
For many, the offseason for NBA basketball is the most grueling. Sure the wait for football is twice as long, but the NBA's offseason seems to feel much longer. The preseason kicks off on the 1st of the month, which will give fans a preview of what to see in the regular season. While the stars that everyone want to see play won't get the run that they will later on, it still is nice to have some basketball for fans to watch. And fear not for those who want to see the brightest stars shine, the regular season kicks off on October 27th, with MVP candidates LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Stephen Curry all in action on the league's first night, with the latter two facing off against each other.17. Completing the Quartet (The Return of Hockey)
Not to be outdone by the return of basketball, the physicality and rivalries that take place on the ice also return this month. The first of the league's regular-season games take place soon, with the kickoff being a week from Wednesday. This being the only month of the year when all four of the major sports in America are in active play, October brings NHL fans the action they've waited all summer to see. Stars such as Sidney Crosby, Henrik Lundqvist, and Jonathan Toews all make their much-anticipated return to games in only a week.
18. Halloween
All in all, October is shaping up to be a great month, with nary a dull moment awaiting us. From Halloween to food festivals to the return (and end) of sports, there are 31 days filled with excitement and entertainment around every corner.
