"The Disney Fair": The Southwestern premiere of the nationally touring, special-effects-laden show fills up about two acres at this year's Arizona State Fair, and features some of the studio's biggest stars, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Buzz Lightyear, Captain Hook, Aladdin, Jasmine and Ariel. Shows are scheduled at 12:15, 1:30, 3, 5:30 and 7 p.m. daily, beginning Thursday, October 17, and continuing through Sunday, November 3. Specially priced advance tickets allowing admission to both the Disney extravaganza and the fair proper range from $8 to $21, available at Dillard's and Ticketmaster; call 678-2222 or 784-4444. For general fair information, see Thursday in Pic Hits or the At the Fair listing in Thrills or call 268-3247 or 252-6771.
orange crush
Pumpkin Festival: Duncan's Sunfresh Farms, 17203 West Indian School in Goodyear, hosts this fifth annual event, featuring the picking of fresh pumpkins from the farm's own patch and other seasonal festivities, plus wagon rides, entertainment, arts and crafts and more. The festival opens Friday, October 18, and continues Saturday, October 19; Sunday, October 20; and Thursday, October 25, through Sunday, October 27. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take I-10 west to Cotton Lane and go north two miles. Admission is $2, $1 for kids; proceeds benefit various Arizona food banks. Call 853-0111.
fright nights
Halloween Ghost Nights: The haunted mine tunnel at Goldfield Ghost Town, located at 4650 North Mammoth Mine Road, three miles north of Apache Junction via the Apache Trail, a.k.a. Highway 88, opens Friday, October 18, and continues nightly, through Thursday, October 31. Special admission is $6, $4 for kids ages 6 to 12, free for those younger; proceeds benefit the Arizona Recreational Center for the Handicapped. Call 983-0333.
Haunted Express: Rides on the high-spirited runaway choo-choo at Rawhide, 23023 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, are scheduled Friday, October 18; Saturday, October 19; and Sunday, October 20. More rides are planned Friday, October 25, through Thursday, October 31. The train leaves the station at dusk. The fee is $4, $3 for kids ages 3 to 11, free for those younger. Call 502-1880.
Silo X: This high-tech haunted house is billed as a faux military missile silo whose abandoned personnel have gone mad. The Silo, recommended for those age 8 and older, is located at Hardy and Elliot in Tempe, next door to Fiddlesticks Family Fun Park. The facility's open from dusk Fridays and Saturdays to 1 a.m., dusk to 11 p.m. Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, through Saturday, November 2. Tickets are $12, available at Dillard's. Call 949-4322 or 678-2222.
at the wingding
Bird Mart: Multitudes of flapping, squawking, chattering avians are on display and various supplies are on sale at this extravaganza, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, October 20, in Exhibit Hall E at Phoenix Civic Plaza, Second Street and Adams. Admission is $3, free for accompanied kids under 12. Call 262-7272.
at the museum
Arizona Museum for Youth: "Face Value: The Art of Portraiture" features works by Andy Warhol, Rudy Turk, Greg Patrenos, Bill Barnhart and others. It continues through Friday, January 17, 1997. The museum is located at 35 North Robson in Mesa. Call 644-2467.
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting: The exhibit "Happy Birthday, Smokey," celebrating the history and future of 52-year-old fire-prevention spokesbruin Smokey Bear and providing illumination about fire and firefighting, continues through Saturday, November 30, at the museum, 6101 East Van Buren. Call 275-3473.
pup stars
"A Dog at Work": A City of Glendale police officer and a pooch from the city's K-9 unit will demonstrate the training and work ethics that the program requires at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 19, at Velma Teague Branch Library, 7010 North 58th Avenue in Glendale. Admission is free. Call 930-3437.
"Dog Care and Safety": Barbara Westermeyer, a volunteer for Maricopa County Rabies/Animal Control, presents this free program, which includes an appearance by a live "pound puppy," at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 19, at Glendale Public Library, 5959 West Brown; call 930-3537.
on the stage
The Butterfly's Day: Desert Stages, Inc., presents Gerry Cullity's musical fantasy about a butterfly flapping about in search of a purpose. Opening performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 18; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 19; and 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, October 20, at the theatre, 8473 East McDonald in Scottsdale. The production continues through Sunday, November 10. Tickets are $6 in advance, $9 at the door. Call 483-1664.
Great Arizona Puppet Theater: The troupe presents performances of Beatrix Potter's Two Bad Mice at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 17; 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, October 18; 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, October 19; 2 p.m. Sunday, October 20; and 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 23, at its theatre, 3302 North Seventh Street. The production continues through Sunday, November 3. Call 277-1275.
Hansel and Gretel: Phoenix Theatre's Cookie Company has opened its season with the Grimm fairy tale about the witch who wants to have the young title characters over for dinner--literally. The production continues through Sunday, October 20, at the company's new performance space for tykes, the Little Theatre, located at the intersection of Alvarado and Coronado streets. Tickets are $7. For other information, call 254-2151.
How to Eat Like a Child: Mesa Youtheatre kicks off its 20th season with the good-natured musical by Delia Ephron, John Forster and Judith Kahan. Opening performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 18; 2 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 19; and 2 p.m. Sunday, October 20, at the group's theatre, located at Mesa Arts Center, 155 North Center. More shows are scheduled Thursday, October 24, through Sunday, October 27. Tickets are $7, $5 for those age 18 and under. For details call 644-2560. (Note: Just in time for Halloween, the troupe hosts its annual costume sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday; call 644-2242.)
The Wizard of Oz: Valley Youth Theatre, located at Tower Plaza Shopping Center, 3883 East Thomas, presents the kiddy favorite about Dorothy, Toto and friends. This week's performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 18; noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, October 19; and noon and 3 p.m. Sunday, October 20. The production continues through Sunday, October 27. Admission is $5. For details call 267-3880.
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown: Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre presents the Halloween-themed work, starring the Peanuts gang and--Linus hopes--the Great Pumpkin. Final performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 18; 2 p.m. Saturday, October 19; and 2 p.m. Sunday, October 20, at Stagebrush Theatre, 7020 East Second Street in Scottsdale. Tickets are $6. For reservations and details, call 990-7646.