MODESTO — In anticipation of All Hallow’s Eve, The State Theatre is conducting what is billed as the First Annual Fete & Film for Kids, a spellbinding and memory-making event for youngsters that includes sweet treats, kindly ghouls and goblin boys, a costume parade and an enchanting cast of young, local actors portraying scarecrows, benevolent witches and characters from favorite fairy tales.

More surprises await, plus a screening of the beloved Steven Speilberg film E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial.  To assure your family’s spot for this afternoon of seasonal delights, organizers suggest that you purchase your tickets in advance.

The night before, there’s a film following downtown Modesto’s Second Annual Zombie Night that’s sure to appeal to the undead.  There is murder, mayhem, zombification, dezombification and a full-scale zombie riot in FIDO, a Canadian comedy that’s all about a typical, middle-class neighborhood dotted with picket fences, and where all of the neighbors have zombie servants. A boy-and-his-dog movie for grown-ups, FIDO is guaranteed to rip your heart out.

The Halloween Fete & Film is Sunday, Oct. 28.

Doors open at 2 p.m. with the costume parade at 2:45 p.m. The film starts at 3 p.m.  Admission is $4 for children under 12 and $6 for adults. There will be goodie bags for every child, storytelling from the stage and all set amid a backdrop of spider webs and kid-friendly but fantastical, seasonal decor. The entire, spellbinding event will culminate with a screening of E.T. -- The Extra-Terrestrial, Steven Spielberg’s beloved, Oscar-winning film about a shy little boy who finds a stranded extraterrestrial and courageously defies the authorities to help the alien return home.

The zombie comedy FIDO is Saturday, Oct. 27. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the film at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $3 in advance or  $5 at the door.

In this Canadian comedy that rivals Shaun of the Dead for flesh-eating hilarity, Timmy Robinson’s best friend in the whole wide world is a 6-foot tall rotting zombie named FIDO. In Timmy’s world, there are houses with white picket fences and zombie servants animated by space radiation who are kept under control with Zomcon collars. When FIDO eats the next-door neighbor, Mom and Dad hit the roof, and Timmy has to go to the ends of the earth to keep FIDO in the family. FIDO runs afoul of prejudice, hardware faults in the Zomcon collar he wears and neighborhood bullies.

For more on Modesto’s 2nd Annual Zombie Night, that includes vendors, live music, activities for kids, and more, go to http://www.facebook.com/events/316107928473796/

For online ticket sales go to www.thestate.org. To purchase your tickets by phone call The State Box Office at 209-527-4697 from noon to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. If still available, tickets may also be purchased the night of the event up to the start of the presentation.