Traverse City Record-Eagle

Halloween Events & More

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October 23, 2009

Area Halloween events

TRAVERSE CITY -- Look out. We're about to be overrun with zombies.

Halloween events this year are heavy on the undead. Hollywood can have its vampires. Traverse City is about to be visited by ethereal visitors.

Perhaps the most visible zombies will be in Traverse City, where a 5K zombie walk/run and two-stage party are being held on Halloween, which is, praise the afterlife, NOT a school night this year.

The Z-Mash parties will be held on Halloween at the Terminal, with an under-21 bash beginning at 7 p.m. and a 21-and-older bash scheduled for 10 p.m. Promoter Sam Porter says the early party will something "parents can feel really good about" if their kids attend. He said he's "taken over the whole space" at The Terminal for a variety of acts and music.

More details of the Z-Mash are below.

Other upcoming events include:

Antrim

Autumn Fest at the Grass River Natural Area Saturday isn't technically a Halloween-centric event, but there will be games and refreshments beginning at 1 p.m. -- and it's free. Call 533-8314 to register. The natural area is on County Road 618, five miles south of Bellaire.

Alden holds a Halloween party Saturday, Oct. 31, beginning at 6:30 p.m. There will be a costumer parade, judging, prizes and refreshments, all at Tennis Court Park in downtown Alden; 409-6876.

A haunted woods filled with witches, goblins, creepies and crawlies is set up at Shanty Creek Resort's Schuss Mountain off M-88 near Bellaire. It's not recommended for children under 10 years old. Hours are 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Friday, Oct. 30. Call (800) 678-4111, ext. 7860, or go to www.shantycreek.com.

Benzie

Two haunted houses in one -- "The Dark Side," for ages 12 and older, and "Creepy and Crawly" with illusions, live critters and "gotchas." On U.S. 31 between Interlochen and Honor; $5 per side or both for $9. Hours are 7 p.m. to midnight tonight and Saturday and Oct. 30 and 31 and 7 to 11 p.m. Sunday. For a tease, look up Scaryfest09 at www.youtube.com.

Interlochen Eagles host a haunted house tonight and Saturday and Oct. 30 and 31 from 7:30 to 10 p.m, 20724 Honor Highway; e-mail bikergreg06@yahoo.com.

Crystal Mountain hosts a Haunted Forest Saturday and Oct. 30, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; recommended that ages 8 and under arrive before dark. Tickets are $8 ages 9 and up. There will also be a Halloween Spooktacular Saturday Oct. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. with chair lift rides, food, pumpkin carving and a costume contest beginning at 6 p.m. Activities range from $3 to $5 each. A Dash and Dare Pass at Crystal -- $18 or $10 for children 8 and under -- lets you ride the alpine slide, take two chair lift rides and visit the Haunted Forest.

Howl'oween at Crystal Mountain, 2-5 p.m. Saturday. Bring the pets and family. Events include a costumed pet parade (2:15 p.m.), a K-9 unit demonstration by the Benzie County Sheriff's Department (2:30 p.m.), a pet/owner lookalike contest (3:15 p.m.), a demonstration by a sled dog team (3:30 p.m.), a chance to show your pet's best trick (4:15 p.m.) and obedience demonstrations by Sean Nowicki of In Home Canine Solutions and his dogs, along will Janalee Gallagher and her rescue dog (4:30 p.m.). All demonstrations and contests are free, however, donations for Benzie County's Animal Welfare League will be accepted. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier at all times, must be properly licensed and have all current vaccinations. There will be close to 20 vendor booths with pet-related items, from rescues to clinics to first aid to pet accessories; 378-2000, ext. 3355 or go to www.crystalmountain.com.

Grand Traverse

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons will have Halloween fun at today's farmers market, 2-6 p.m. There will be games, face painting and treats, as well as pumpkins and a pumpkin-carving demonstration. Take Division (U.S. 31) to 11th Street, turn west and follow the signs; www.thevillagetc.com, 941-1900.

The Manga Book Club will hold a Halloween Cosplay Event tonight from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave. Free tickets are available at the library's circulation desk. Dress as your favorite manga character, ages 13/older; 932-8500.

Vote for your favorite carved pumpkin at Pangea's Pizza Pub, 135 E. Front St., and help out the Cherryland Humane Society throughout October. There's also mini pumpkin painting from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays for kids 10 and under; 946-8900.

Grimfell Asylum is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the old Circuit City building, next to the Halloween Superstore on South Airport Road in Traverse City. Admission is $7 admission with a portion of proceeds benefiting Munson Breast Health Center; www.evernighthaunt.com.

The Haunted Trail at Camp Greilick benefits the Father Fred Foundation. From 6 to 10 p.m. tonight and Saturday Oct. 23 and 24, at 754 Scout Camp Road, off Hobbs Highway, bring 10 nonperishable items and walk the trail for $5. Regular admission is $10, families of four or more $30 ($5 off the group fee with 10 food items) and free for kids not yet in first grade. The ticket price includes the haunted trail, a hot dog, chips, cider and a doughnut and games, including pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf and bobbing for apples.

A Halloween Psychic Fair will be held at Higher Self Bookstore Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. There will be tarot readings, reiki, channeling, medium readings, numerology, astrology and more, costumes optional; 328 E. Front St.; 941-5805.

There will be a Halloween Family Fun event 4-8 p.m. Saturday, at the Music House Museum in Acme. There will be children's games, a costume parade, silent auction, picnic and silent movies with musical accompaniment. Admission is $5 or $30 for a family (two adults and more than four children). Reservations are suggested; call 938-9300 or go to www.musichouse.org.

Community Halloween Party at St. Mary Hannah School, 2912 W. M-113, Kingsley; Sunday, 4-6 p.m. Open to all preschool through sixth-grade children. Carnival games, prizes, candy and food concessions. Admission is $1 plus a food donation or $5 per family with a food donation; 263-5288.

Halloween Spook-tacular Wednesday, 6-7 p.m., at the Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Road. All ages are welcome. There will be ghoulish games, creepy crawly activities, nature crafts, a haunted trail, free popcorn and "Vampire Juice," $5 donation suggested; 941-0960 or www.natureiscalling.org.

Halloween Walk in downtown Traverse City Friday, Oct. 30, 3:30-5 p.m. Orange pumpkin signs will mark participants; 922-2050.

The Eagles Club in Traverse City is holding a Halloween party in conjunction with Friendship for Singles Friday, Oct. 30, from 7 to 11 p.m. Wear a costume and bring a friend for karaoke and more; 21 and older. The Eagles is at 409 W. 14th St.; 944-2080.

Street Drum Corps presents a pre-Halloween "Fight Night" concert with BANG at the Dennos Museum Center at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 at the door, $22 for museum members; 995-1553 or www.dennosmuseum.org.

TraVino is hosting a Halloween party Friday, Oct. 30, with "spooky specials" and a costume contest scheduled for 7:30 p.m. All ages are welcome, but the "target audience" is 25-35 years old. There will be goody bags and a drawing for a gift certificate.

Wilderness Crossing Halloween party Friday, Oct. 30, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.; East Bay Blue playing music, costume contest, drink specials and an appearance by "The King of Rock 'n' Roll."

"Rocky Horror Picture Show," Friday, Oct. 30, two shows -- 8 p.m. and midnight -- at the City Opera House, 106 E. Front St. (Cross-)dress and make interactive mischief with the cult movie. Tickets are $11 with an additional $5 for a prop bag. Call 941-8082 or go to www.cityoperahouse.org.

Chaos Haunted Houses in Kalkaska features new props and mechanics this year; don't scream! Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31, 6:30-11 p.m., 204 Division; shafer_evan@yahoo.com.

Zombie walk/run, 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 8:45 a.m. at Right Brain Brewery, the starting point of the run/walk, 221 Garland St., in Traverse City's Warehouse District. Go crazy with your tattered clothing, face paint and blood spatter for a good cause -- all money raised goes to TART Trails. Early registration (before Oct. 31) is $25. Late registration is $30. Go to www.tczombierun.com or call 944-1239.

The Boardman River Nature Center will help all ages of kids make Halloween crafts, Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $5 donation suggested; 1450 Cass Road; 941-0960 or www.natureiscalling.org.

Meet the "Ghosts of Whaleback" on a Leelanau Conservancy Hike Saturday, Oct. 31, at 10 a.m. For all ages; costumes optional. Hike to the top of the whale -- if you dare -- and listen for the echoes of sailors who tried to cross the Manitou Passage; 256-9665; www.theconservancy.com.

The Saturday Sampler at the Traverse Area District Library at 11 a.m. Oct. 31 will feature Halloween stories and make-and-take "Light Up Your Halloween with Luminaries" craft for kids age 5 and older; 610 Woodmere Ave.; 932-8500.

Old-fashioned Halloween Party, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 31, with storyteller Jill Bert, snacks, crafts and costumes; East Bay Branch Library, 1989 Three Mile Road, TC.

Mt. Holiday Children's Halloween Party Saturday, Oct. 31, 4 to 6 p.m., featuring pizza, games and a costume contest.

Halloween Party at the Traverse City Elks Lodge, corner of Division and Grandview Parkway, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, for ages 0 to 10; indoor trick-or-treating, food and fun; 941-4224.

A "trick-or-treat rest stop" will be set up at the Kingsley United Methodist Church, 113 E. Blair St., from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. The church will be open for all parents and children to enjoy a free cup of coffee or hot chocolate and everyone will get a "famous" Mr. Kaule popcorn ball for their goodie bag. Restrooms are available.

Free Public Viewing Night, 8-10 p.m. Oct. 31, Rogers Observatory, Birmley Road. 995-2300

"Haunting in the Hills," Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Mt. Holiday. Music by Rumor, costume contest with cash prizes, must be 21. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, available at Mt. Holiday, Don Orr Ski n' Beach Haus or online at www.mt-holiday.com.

Z-Mash, a Halloween zombie party, two shows, 7 p.m. (all ages) and 10 p.m. (21 and older), Saturday, Oct. 31, at The Terminal, 1669 S. Garfield Ave. Also featuring a zombie walk with street "Thriller" performances. Performers include hip hop/funk MC Lyrics Born and vocalist MC Joyo Velarde, a belly dancing troupe, a west African drum and dance ensemble and the Urban Elements Dance Project. Lots of giveaways, including a laptop computer, ski passes, vacations and more. Tickets for the first show are $10 in advance (plus fees) and $15 at the door. Tickets for the 10 p.m. show are $15 in advance (plus fees) and $20 at the door. Tickets are available at The Terminal, Oryana, Old Town Coffee and online at www.porterhouseproductions.com.

Crawlspace Eviction, an improv troupe from Kalamazoo, performs two shows at the Old Town Playhouse Saturday, Oct. 31, at 8 and 11 p.m. The shows are geared toward adults. Tickets are $10; www.oldtownplayhouse.com; 947-2210.

Leelanau

Haunted Hayrides Friday and Saturdays in October from 6 to 10 p.m. at Black Star Farms. Admission is $10 per person with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the TART Trail. Pizza, wine and mulled cider are available for purchase; 10844 E. Revold Road, Suttons Bay; www.blackstarfarms.com.

Halloween Haunted Trail at Jacob's Corn Maze, 3&1/2 miles west of Traverse City on M-72, across from Gallagher's Farm Market. The trail will be "enhanced" by members of the Traverse City West Thespian Club. Hours are Friday and Saturdays, Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31, 7-9 p.m. The haunted trail is designed for teenagers through adults and is included in the regular corn maze admission of $5 for children ages 3-11 and $8 for ages 12 and up. For $3 more, you can take a wagon ride. The maze itself is open Fridays, 5-9 p.m.; Saturdays 1-9 p.m.; and Sundays, 1-7 p.m.

The Haunted Red Barn near Empire; haunted hayrides with blood-curdling theatrics. Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31; everyone welcome with children under 12 encouraged from 7 to 9 p.m.. Wagons run about every 20 minutes from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Fridays are family nights, with children 12 and under admitted for half price when accompanied by an adult. Cost is $10 with refreshments for survivors; $1 off each admission if you bring a canned food donation; a portion of the money raised goes to the Father Fred Foundation. 3800 W. Empire Highway. On M-72 one mile west of County Road 669, just east of Gilbert Road. From Traverse City, take M-72 west 16 miles. The property is on the left, one mile west of the blinking light at 669. Watch for signs at entrance; it is a long driveway; e-mail hauntedhayride@hotmail.com.

A Halloween Dance will be held Saturday at the St. Rita/St. Joseph Parish Hall, 9243 County Road 667 in Maple City. The Watkoski Family Band from Grand Rapids will play from 8 p.m. to midnight, doors open 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10.

"Trunk and Treat" at West Bay Covenant Church, 4-6 p.m. Sunday; perfect for families and younger children. Cars are gathered, trunks opened and kids go from vehicle to vehicle, trick-or-treating in a safe environment. Food will be available. West Bay Covenant Church is at M-22 and Cherry Bend Road; 946-7947, westbay1@sbcglobal.net.

Northport Community Halloween Party, Friday, Oct. 30, 6-8 p.m., Northport Public School small gym; 386-9809.

Trick-or-treat with Glen Arbor merchants Saturday, Oct. 31, 1-4 p.m.; 334-3238.

Free admission to the Great Lakes Children's Museum Saturday, Oct. 31, to any kid in a costume. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 13240 S. West Bay Shore Drive; 932-4526.

Kalkaska

Twelve local bands will be playing at the Halloween Bash at the Kalkaska Civic Center Saturday, Oct. 31, beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is $10. Music will range from rock to rap and families are welcome. Call 384-5911.

Manistee

Costume and car contests at the Norman Township Community Center on South Seaman Road, Wellston, 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Bring your cars (decorated or not) and open your trunks to hand our candy. Kids in costume can be in a contest; 848-4152.

Otsego

The Fraternal Order of Police hosts a Haunted House Friday, Oct. 30, 5-10 p.m., at 315 E. Huron, Gaylord (behind the new Gaylord City building). Younger ghosts and goblins may want to tour the Insane Asylum and graveyard between 5 and 7 p.m.. Treats will be given to all who are brave enough. Admission is $3 per person; call Corinne Lapierre (989) 420-0915 or Mary Worth, (989) 370-4746.

Wexford

Pahl's Pumpkin Patch, 7310 Zue Road in Buckley, is open seven days a week, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., farm animals, two free corn mazes, straw maze and more. There are hay rides on the weekends; www.pahlspumpkinpatch.com, 269-3077 or 620-1242.

Whew. Did you make it through all that? Plus trick-or-treating? Are you worried about weight gain or rotten teeth from all the candy?

Beacon Dental Center in Charlevoix will buy all that candy from you. Dr. Michael Sullivan is paying $1 a pound for unopened candy from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1 at his office, 06483 M-66 N. He'll then ship the candy to troops overseas through Operation Gratitude. For more information, call 547-9141 or go to www.beacondentalcenter.com.

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