5 Things To Know Today: Oct. 31 (Halloween)

Send Us Your Photos: Today is the last day for the Patch Little Pumpkin Costume Contest — all entries must be received by 9 p.m. tonight. Send in your kid in a cute costume, and you could win an all-expenses paid trip to meet Heidi Klum and a donation to your favorite charity. Click the link above for more information.

Background On The Holiday: Most people just know it as a day to send the kids out for candy (or hand it out, if you're the generous sort). But did you know that Halloween has its origins in ancient Celtic ceremonies to ward off evil spirits? The History Channel website has all sorts of interesting information about Halloween — check it out to get in the right (well-informed) mood about the holiday.

Use Your Noggin: Today at 2:30 p.m. at Mohr Library there's a Zombie Bake-Off scheduled. Contestants will get the chance to decorate a skull cupcake. Messy, yummy, scary fun. Free.

Final Night: Roger Williams Park Zoo wraps up its annual tonight from 6 to 10 p.m. Tix are $12 adults, $10 seniors (62+), $9 children ages 3-12, kids under 3 are free. Discounts for Zoo members with ID.

Welcome Back: On this date in 1992, the Vatican formally reinstated Galileo Galilei — 359 years after the Inquisition found the astronomer guilty of heresy.

Looking for all the local Halloween goings-on in one spot? Check out our Halloween Page at http://johnston.patch.com/topics/halloween 2011. While you’re there, enter your kid’s costume in the