I lived in the city for many years so many I should have phrased my question differently. The problem seems to be that every time I'm in town, somebody says ---- "Oh, didn't you know this was _____ week? That's why you cant find a _____."
It would be nice if there were some kind of master calendar listing the major events so that I could plan accordingly.

Interesting comment about Halloween though; it never would have occurred to me that it had any impact whatsoever.