Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

Oktoberfest 5K, 2011 (Photo via Cambridge 5K)

Food Fight
Food Truck Throwdown: Boston vs. New York City

The Food Truck Throwdown is a daylong competition that pits seven food trucks from Boston against seven trucks from New York City as contestants fight for the title of Best Food Truck. Throughout the month of September, a public voting poll determined the trucks representing each team. Food truck contenders include Bon Me, Kickass Cupcakes, and Lobsta Love from Boston, and Fishing Shrimp, Mike ‘N Willie’s, and Nuchas from NYC. The event will have live music and celebrity judges including Jenny Johnson and Billy Costa from NECN’s TV Diner. Admission is free, but don’t forget your wallet! Today’s the day to splurge on tons of tasty food to fill your hungry belly.

Free; Saturday, Oct. 13, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Dewey Square on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston; foodtruckthrowdown.com

Movies
Boston Winter Film Festival

Believe it or not, winter is just around corner. Theatre 1 at the Revere Hotel is hosting Boston’s inaugural ski and snowboard film festival that will honor some of the world’s best ski and snowboard films. These films—like Sunny, winner of the 2012 IF3 Film Festival’s “Best North American Film of the Year”—will boast fantastic visuals and mind-boggling special features. In addition, there will be pre-screenings of upcoming movies and a silent auction benefitting a nonprofit organization for breast cancer awareness.

$15-$30; Saturday, Oct. 13, individual showings from 1-10:30 p.m.; Theatre 1 at Revere Hotel, 200 Stuart St., Boston; bostonwinterfilmfestival.com

Oktoberfest
Cambridge 5K’s Oktoberfest

So you don’t consider yourself a runner? Good, neither do we, so this race is perfect for us slow folks. This Sunday, a “wunderbar” German-themed road race will take place throughout the heart of Kendall Square and will be followed by a huge post-race Oktoberfest celebration. The party will include tons of beer sponsored by Cambridge Brewing Co., and everybody—runners included—are encouraged to wear their craziest Halloween costumes. While you’re at it, run the race in your Lederhosen or Dirndl, and you could win a prize in the German costume contest. Okay, a race where running is the least important part? This is definitely one we wouldn’t want to miss.

$38 runner registration; celebration 21+; Sunday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m.; 1 Kendall Square, Cambridge; 617-398-0611; cambridge5k.com/oktoberfest; runner registration at racemenu.com

Breast Cancer Awareness Month
2012 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

Get all your pink attire ready because this walk for breast cancer will be the biggest one yet. This is a day of inspiration, exercise, and entertainment as thousands of people show their support for breast cancer awareness by walking the five-mile route around Boston (there is also a two-mile option). No registration fee is required, but participants are encouraged to fundraise. Donations will go toward educating and empowering women to live healthier lives and also toward research for finding a cure. The walk’s Striders Challenge Sponsor, Hologic, will also donate $1 for every registered walker, so bring everybody you know!

Free; Sunday, Oct. 14, registration between 8-10 a.m.; DCR Hatch Shell, 1 David G. Mugar Way, Boston; 1-800-227-2345; registration details here

Halloween
The Haunted Ship at the U.S.S. Salem

The Haunted Ship at the U.S.S. Salem presents a whole month of pure horror, chills, and nightmares that will keep you up long after Halloween is over. A formerly commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy and previously featured on Ghost Hunters, the U.S.S. Salem is known for being a cursed and haunted ship. The terrifying haunted house is just half of the fun; the ghost tours are sure to keep you screaming. A special four-hour night ghost tour will give you a guided tour of the ship with R.T.S. Paranormal Investigations members and will show you how to operate ghost-hunting equipment.

$15-$25; weekends and various weekdays, Oct. 5-31, 6:30 p.m.-12 a.m.; 739 Washington St., Quincy; 617-479-7900; hauntedship.com