HUNTSVILLE – At Huntsville Botanical Garden, the transition of summer to fall during September and October has become a special time.

The garden staff has named this special time, “Festifall,” for the festive time during the season. Visitors to the garden can enjoy brilliant colors of falling leaves, entertaining activities, pumpkin displays and plenty of fun for all age groups.

“This season is all about the transformation of the garden into a wonderland of autumnal beauty and family-friendly activities. From pooches and ‘pupkins’ to ‘Little Monsters Mash,’ and from ‘A Killer 80s Homecoming’ to ‘Festive-ALE,’ these events offer visitors of all ages a chance to revel in the magic of fall,” according to the garden’s newsletter.

The garden’s events for Festifall vary in their themes:

* Fall Plant Sale — Anticipated by gardeners of all levels, the sale features a massive array of flowers, herbs, trees, shrubs and vegetables. A garden fundraiser, the sale offers quality selections for gardens throughout North Alabama.

Shoppers can discover hard-to-find native plant species and unique new cultivars, all in one convenient place. The sale also includes plants that workers grew in the garden’s collections. The sale opens for members only on Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The public sale on Sept. 20-21 is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Pooches and Pupkins – This unique session hints about the approach of Halloween . . . or ‘Howl-o-ween’ for the intended audience. The garden’s staff invites all dogs and their humans to visit for a barking good time. Guests can enjoy 118 acres of sights, sounds and scents sure to delight any dog’s senses.

Vendors will sell fun swag for the pooches. Dog lovers can meet other dog lovers and compete for bragging rights. Fun prizes are at stake in the costume parade and contest for “Best Costume,” “Spookiest Pup” and “Best Dog/Owner Coordinated Costumes.”

Pooches and Pupkins is scheduled on Sept. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. Entry fee is $5 per dog (plus human admission).

* A Killer 80s Homecoming — Step back in time to the most thrilling night of the decade with this Murder Mystery Dinner on Oct. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. The Isenberg Grand Hall will be the venue for an evening of intrigue, nostalgia and delicious cuisine.

“Dressed in your best 80s attire, you’ll be transported to a high school homecoming, filled with mystery and suspense. As the evening unfolds, guests will work at their table to uncover clues, solve puzzles and unmask the culprit before it’s too late,” according to the garden’s website.

Actors from Blue Melody Theatre will perform. Romana J’s will prepare a delectable meal.

The homecoming is a ticketed event and strictly for adults at least 21 years old and up. Will you be crowned Homecoming King or Queen . . . or will you be the next victim? Tickets cost $65 for garden members. Guests who aren’t members will pay $75.

Several other events will complete the schedule for Festifall.

Huntsville Botanical Garden’s address is 4747 Bob Wallace Ave. For more information, call 256-830-4447, or visit hsvbg.org/visit/exhibits/#festifall.