By Stacee Sledge
It’s that time of year again, when all things spooky come out to prey across Whatcom County.
And, whether you’re young or old, easily scared or hard to make holler, WhatcomTalk brings you a list of several spectacular options for celebrating the Halloween season.
For a bit of traditional trick-or-treating, downtown merchants in Bellingham, Fairhaven, Ferndale and Lynden open their doors to little goblins and ghouls all decked out in their Halloween finest.
Read on for all the frightening (and fun) things to do during the month of October.
Scream Fair Haunted House
The organizers of Scream Fair Haunted House at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden work hard each year to plan, build and operate this spooky space. This year marks its sixth, with all proceeds benefiting Meridian High School FFA students and the FFA Boosters. Safe for the whole family, Scream Fair Haunted House promises fun frights.
Scream Fair Haunted House
Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, Henry Jansen Building
1775 Front Street
Lynden ,WA 98264
Friday October 17, 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Saturday October 18, 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Friday October 24, 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Saturday October 25, 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Thursday October 30, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Friday October 31, 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Saturday November 1, 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Cost: $13 adults, $10 children (5 to 12 years old), 12 and under
$24 VIP skip-the-line pass
Special prices, available only at the door, include: $11 senior citizens (60+) and $11 with military ID
Boundary Bay Haunted Beer Garden
Make.Shift will again turn Boundary Bay’s beer garden into a terrifically terror-filled haunted experience. Last year’s inaugural haunted beer garden was a huge success, so it’s back for more – a series of creepy rooms that horror-seekers must navigate through to safely reach the end. Celebrate making it through alive with a Boundary Bay brew (for those over 21). May be too scary for little ones. Volunteers are still needed; contact Make.Shift at info@makeshiftproject.com if you’d love to help them bring the terror.
Boundary Bay Haunted Beer Garden
1107 Railroad Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
October 30 and 31
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Cost: $5
Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth Haunted House
Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY) will put on a theatrical, arts-oriented haunted house at the Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth Theatre for just two performances on Saturday, November 1. The BAAY Dance Company will perform and guests will also be lead on a spooky tour lead by ghoulish actors. Wrap up the scary event with a tasty treat. All proceeds go to scholarships for BAAY students.
Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth Haunted House
1059 North State Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
November 1
6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $5
Gore and Lore Tour
The Gore and Lore Tours are back – and the Good Time “Ghouls” are dressed to mourn. The Bureau of Historical Investigation brings its sinister walking tours downtown on each Friday and Saturday night in October, with Fairhaven tours on Fridays. Along the way, you’ll learn about local lore of the creepy kind. Suicide, violent death, gore and strong language will abound, so any minors who think they’re up for such spine-tingling history lessons must be accompanied by an adult. Post-tour tarot readings from local psychic Charles Crooks are available as an add-on for the Saturday downtown tours; palm readings from Hayley Boothe can be added to the Fairhaven tour on October 3 and again on October 24.
Downtown Gore & Lore Tour
Every Friday and Saturday in October
Doors open at 5:45 p.m., tour leaves at 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $15 (tarot readings an additional $10)
Fairhaven Gore & Lore Tour
Every Friday in October
Doors open at 5:45 p.m., tour leaves at 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $15 (palm readings an additional $8)
Find more information at the Bureau’s website.
MegaZapper Electrical Show at the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention
MegaZapper – the sequel to last year’s popular live show – promises to be spookier and more electrifying than ever. Tana Granack, director of operations, promises a fun and memorable performance: “We’ve got a great new script, more talented performers, and a fantastic new bunch of special effects that should blow the audience away,” she says. Not intended for infants, toddlers, pacemakers, defibrillators, or the faint-of-heart! And for an additional donation, adult visitors can enter the Cage of Death and be engulfed with over 4 million volts of electricity. All who survive will receive an official SPARK Museum “I Survived the Cage of Death” sticker.
MegaZapper Electrical Show at the SPARK
SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention
1312 Bay Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-738-3886
October 29, 30 and 31
7:00 p.m.
Cost: $12 for adults, $10 SPARK members, $8 for kids 11 years old and under
Find more information at www.sparkmuseum.org.
Hellingham at the Upfront Theatre
Hellingham – the Upfront Theatre’s popular (improvised!) murder mystery show – is back, with show times at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in October. There’s a killer on the loose in the peaceful town of Hellingham. Who’s behind the killing and who might be the next to die? “Hellingham’s a suspenseful and exhilarating theatre experience,” says Mario Orallo-Molinaro, sales and marketing director for the Upfront. “It’s one of our best shows for a reason!”
Hellingham at the Upfront Theatre
1208 Bay Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-733-8855
Every Friday and Saturday in October
8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Cost: $10 online and $12 at the door
For more information, visit www.theupfront.com.
BOOO Ghost Hunting Class
The hunt continues as two of Bellingham Observers of the Odd and Obscure (BOOO) lead paranormal investigators offer classes on ghost hunting, followed by an actual investigation. This is the real deal, with seasoned ghost hunters Chuck Crooks and Elena Stecca giving an introduction into the world of ghost hunting, and then sharing their skills. Using different techniques and technologies, they’ll help students uncover the secrets of one of Bellingham’s most intriguing haunts. Locations are only given to those who register.
BOOO Ghost Hunting Classes
Friday, October 10, 17, and 24
7:00 p.m. – midnight
Cost: $50
Learn more at www.ghosthuntclass.wix.com/bellingham
Halloween Costume Ball at the Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn
Bellingham Explorer hosts the 2014 Halloween Costume Ball featuring live music by Top 40 cover band R Factor 5 at the Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn. Appetizers and drinks will be on hand, and a light show will entertain the costumed crowd. Dream up the very best costume and you’ll come home $500 richer. For more information, locations for cash ticket purchases, and to order tickets online, visit Bellingham Explorer.
Halloween Costume Ball
Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn Grand Ballroom
714 Lakeway Drive
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-671-1011
October 31
8:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Cost: $35 advance and online tickets, $45 at the door
All-inclusive hotel package $199
Perch and Play’s 2nd Annual Halloween Carnival
One of Bellingham’s hottest spots for the under-five crowd, Perch and Play, will host its second annual family-friendly Halloween Carnival on Saturday, October 25, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Fun for the whole family will include performances by the Bellingham Circus Guild, face painting, balloon artists, carnival treats, old-fashioned carnival games. Top it all off with raffle prizes and costume contests. Reserve tickets online here.
Perch and Play’s Halloween Carnival
1707 North State Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-393-4925
Saturday, October 25
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Search out some spooky sites on your own
Still looking for more local frights? Visit this site to pinpoint supposedly haunted spots in Bellingham and surrounding areas, and then go scare yourself silly.
