10 Great Dates

compiled by KATY BERRY

Dell'Osso Farm Pumpkin Maze

October 2-31, Lathrop

The Dell'Osso Family Farm is hosting another festive fall adventure this year with their 13th annual Pumpkin Maze. The activities are boundless for kids and adults, from choosing your own pumpkin in the patch, getting lost in the corn maze, and having your face painted, to meeting animals in the petting zoo, shooting mini pumpkins out of the pumpkin blasters, exploring the haunted house, or even challenging yourself on the aerial ropes course. With so much to do, you'll probably want to visit more than just once. 10 a.m.-last entry at 8 p.m. Free admission to farm, but attraction prices vary. Dell'Osso Family Farm, 26 Stewart Rd., Lathrop, (209) 982-0833, www.pumpkinmaze.com

2D-3D Color and Design

October 7-November 4, Stockton

The LH Horton Jr Gallery at San Joaquin Delta College welcomes a national exhibition of paintings, sculpture, and mixed media, as the gallery's second show of the 2010-11 academic year. "2D-3D Color and Design" presents 37 works by 34 artists from around the country, including local artists Troy Viss from Turlock and Samuel Bassett and Pepe Pool from Lodi. Opening reception October 7, 5-7 p.m. Free. LH Horton Jr Gallery, Delta College, 5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton, (209) 954-5507, www.deltacollege.edu

Lodi Open Studios Tour

October 9-10, Lodi

Twenty local artists will be performing demonstrations and displaying their work at ten different studio locations in Lodi. Buy a treasure map for only $10 and find all twenty artists to become eligible for a special raffle. The grand prize? $1000 towards the purchase of a work of art. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $10 for treasure map, $80 for artist registration. Must obtain treasure map for studio addresses. Various locations in Lodi, (209) 333-3855, www.lodiartcenter.org

Stocktoberfest

October 9, Stockton

If you can?t make it to Munich this year for Oktoberfest, the Downtown Stockton Alliance has you covered. Stocktoberfest provides traditional tents and long tables where beer lovers can eat, drink, socialize, and drink some more! Along with over fifteen beers to sample, visitors can enjoy live entertainment and delicious German brats. Steep competition is expected for the keg lifting and beer stein holding competitions, and beer discounts will be given to those wearing their best lederhosen. 2-10 p.m. Tickets $15-$20, Brewery and Brat Dinner $40. Waterfront Warehouse, 445 W. Weber Ave., Stockton, (209) 464-5246, www.downtownstockton.org

Treasure Island WineFest

October 10, Treasure Island

Enjoy Lodi wines on the waterfront as over forty-five Lodi wineries bring over 200 unique wines to the San Francisco Bay to be enjoyed with appetizers, live music, wine tasting seminars, artisan vendors, and even views of the Fleet Week aerial shows by the Blue Angels. 1-5 p.m. $55 in advance, $65 at the door, $25 designated drivers. Treasure Island, 291 Avenue of the Palms, San Francisco, (209) 365-0621, www.tiwinefest.com

Stockton Symphony Classics

October 14 and 16, Stockton

Join the Stockton Symphony as guest cellist Amit Peled leads the audience in a moving journey through the powerful music of Wagner, Bloch, Ives, and Elgar. Renowned for his talent, artistry and penetrating musicianship on the cello, Peled is sure to captivate audiences. October 14, 8 p.m., October 16, 6 p.m. $22-$55. Atherton Auditorium at San Joaquin Delta College, 5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton, (209) 951-0196, www.stocktonsymphony.org

California State Chili Cook-Off

October 16, Acampo

Self-proclaimed chili aficionados will gather in Lodi at the Woodbridge Winery to cook for a great cause. All chefs will compete on-site, using their own personal recipes to make their best chili, and the top three winners will go on to compete in the 2011 Chili Championships in Texas. Money raised will be donated to the Lodi Public Library Foundation. All interested participants must register by October 14. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $25 registration fee. Woodbridge Winery, 5950 East Woodbridge Rd., Acampo, (209) 365-8139, www.chili.org

Downtown Lodi Trick-or-Treat & Fall Festival

October 30, Lodi

Come join the Lodi community as local merchants invite you and your munchkins to trick-or-treat at their establishments between noon and 2 p.m. After your kids get their candy fill, the fall festival continues until 5 p.m. with live music, pumpkin painting, face painting, a food court, a pumpkin carving competition, games, raffles, costume contests and a petting zoo. 12-5 p.m. Free. School St., Downtown Lodi, (209) 369-8052, www.downtownlodi.com

Costume Pub Crawl

October 30, Stockton

Stockton hosts several themed pub crawls each year. In October, crawlers are encouraged to wear costumes and join in the Halloween shenanigans. Each crawler must purchase a wristband which includes perks like trolley transportation, several free drinks and appetizers, no cover charge at over 10 bars and restaurants, a walk through the haunted mansion, a chance to win the costume contest, and a discounted room at the Lexington Waterfront Plaza. 5 p.m.-midnight. $20-$25, $15 for designated driver, $125 crawler group discount (6 tickets). Begin at The Hotel Stockton, 133 Weber Ave., Stockton, (209) 464-5246, www.downtownstockton.org

"Reflections" Quilt Show

November 6-7, Lodi

The Lodi Stitch 'N Quilt Guild is a non-profit organization that promotes the art of quilting through education and fellowship. This year, their quilt show "Reflections" will feature quilter Fran Schmidt and will include prizes, raffles, vendors, lunch, an afternoon tea, and a boutique where visitors can browse beautiful, hand-stitched pieces by other talented and local quilters. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $7. Lodi Grape Festival, Zinfandel Room, 413 E. Lockeford Street, Lodi, (209) 745-3125, www.tokaystitchnquilt.org