NOW THROUGH NOV. 1
‘Fear lives here’
There’s something about roaming a haunted ship that just makes the Halloween experience all the more “sinister,” as the Queen Mary’s “month of fear” morphs the iconic ship into the Dark Harbor.
The month-long event has mazes, live entertainment, paintball and a tour of the Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy.
Home to six mazes, the Dark Harbor introduces new attractions such as the Lullaby and the Anubis Paintball Adventure.
Lullaby tells the tale of Scary Mary, who is said to have drowned in the Queen Mary’s poolroom in 1952 and has long since haunted the ship.
The cast of characters at the event include The Captain, Half Hatch Henry, Graceful Gale, Samuel the Savage and the Ringmaster.
The Anubis Paintball Adventure has mounted paintball guns in a shooting-range-like fashion. Equipped with 30 pellets, individuals must shoot targets and costumed monsters who run around the stage.
Mazes are found on the outskirts of the ship, as well.
Two attractions, the White Ghost and the Shadow Spirit, play off of one another. They both had the same concept: venturing on into a maze whose atmosphere camouflages the supposed ghost inside. It’s a neat gimmick that provides a guaranteed jump-scare and a precursor to the other attractions throughout the ship.
Graceful Gale’s Soulmate Maze is also a long journey into the ship that gives insight on the spirit and her search for her next victim.
Not all the monsters are just in it for the spooky thrills; some even provide lively entertainment.
The Ringmaster puts on a show, singing humorous songs and dancing for those getting that extra buzz at the bar. There was also the performance of a costumed gal stretching out her entire body in order for it to touch hard-to-reach places.
The Side Show of Freaks and Oddities also showcases sculptures of unique-looking monsters.
Tickets start at $20 online, and they can also be purchased at the door. Visit queenmary.com/events/dark-harbor .
FRIDAY, OCT. 30
Harvesting a good time
A harvest festival hosted by the California Heights United Methodist Church, 3759 Orange Ave., will have a costume contest, games, arts and crafts and candy.
The event will be from 5pm to 7pm.
For more information, visit calheightsumc.org or call (562) 595-1996.
SATURDAY, OCT. 31
The plot thickens
It’s said that “every plot has a story” at the Historical Society of Long Beach’s (HSLB) cemetery tour. The event will mark 20 years of sharing graveside stories when it takes place at Long Beach Municipal Cemetery, 1095 E. Willow St., from 9:30am to 2:30pm.
Professional and volunteer actors give presentations every year that re-enact the lives and deaths of individuals who have been laid to rest at each of the cemeteries.
People from all kinds of backgrounds are introduced to the audience in an effort to show that “everyone has a story to tell.”
Performers dress up to reflect the time period in which each person lived.
In a 2014 Signal Tribune article leading up to the event, director Dennis McCourt helped the actors express these personalities.
He described it as giving oneself the freedom to become the character.
“I am a big believer in the power of personal story,” McCourt said. “The fabric of a community comes through its stories. They are who we are.”
Tours of the cemetery are also available, as the namesake implies, lasting two hours.
Performances run continuously from 9am to 2:30pm, and guided tours depart from 9am to noon.
Cost is: $20 for general admission, $15 for HSLB members, $8 for those ages 5 to 18, and $1 for those under the age of 4. Tickets may also be purchased at hslb.org .
Little monsters
Over 15 businesses will host “Trick or Treat Broadway Street” as a daytime Halloween event from noon to 5pm at 3403 E. Broadway St.
Sasha’s—Living with Style, a home goods boutique, and Tiny ecoUrbanite, an eco-friendly baby store, teamed up for the event. The goal was to create a family-friendly Halloween experience through the community of small businesses on Broadway Street.
Each business will provide candy for trick-or-treaters who pass their doors.
The event will feature a costume parade that will start and end at Tiny ecoUrbanite. Additional events include costume contests at W Group Real Estate and Tiny ecoUrbanite,a candy buffet at Sasha’s — Living with Style, and readings from renowned psychic Dolores Cardelucci at Transformations.
Tiny ecoUrbanite will also host a Halloween-themed story time after the parade.
The event is free, and all are welcome. RSVP on Facebook at facebook.com/events/915196701900195/ .
Howl-oween
“The biggest Halloween pet event in the world” will return to Marina Vista Park, 5355 E. Eliot St., as community organizer Justin Rudd and the Community Action Team (CAT) host the 15th annual Howl’oween Parade on at 2:30pm.
The event will have a vendor and pet adoption fair from 12:30pm to 4:30pm.
It will also have 500 costumed dogs parade through the event for those in attendance and a panel of judges. The winner gets dog food for a year.
All entry fees for the event will go to spay/neuter, adoption/rescue and other local charity programs. Registration is open until 3pm on event day.
Registration is $10 per dog before the event week, $15 per dog the week of the event, $20 per dog the day of the event and $35 per dog for V.I.P.
Register at bradandbrad.com/howloween/registration/form.php .
Seating is $10 in advance and $5 at the event. For more information, visit Howloween.info .
A ton of candy?
Bixby Knolls will continue a two-decade tradition when it hosts the 21st Annual Bixby Knolls Community Carnival, taking place from 6pm to 9pm at the Grace Brethren Church parking lot, located at Linden Avenue and 36th Street.
Grace Brethren Church is partnering with community sponsors to present the free event, which will feature 14 carnival games, a petting zoo, bungee jump, bungee run, live DJ and obstacle course.
Free balloon animals, bounce houses, face painting and a pumpkin-patch game area designed for pre-school children will be provided.
The church will also give away one ton of free candy.
The event is made possible by the work of 270 volunteers in the Long Beach area, according to the church.
Traditional carnival food such as hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy and other treats will be available for purchase along with food from local eateries in Bixby Knolls.
Magic and more!
The annual community outreach event, the “Let Him Shine Celebration,” will have carnival games, jumpers, hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy at no charge.
The event is hosted by the Calvary Chapel Signal Hill and will take place from 6pm to 10pm at Signal Hill Elementary School, 2285 Walnut Ave.
There will also be free candy, a live magician, music and an art demonstration. Call assistant pastor Anthony Rico at (562) 804-5509 for more information.
SATURDAY, NOV. 7
Old-world good times
The Maple Village Waldorf School Harvest Faire and Village will bring an “old-world village” feel that includes craft-making demonstrations, games, food, a raffle and handmade goods.
The event will be from 11am to 4pm at the National Guard Armory, 2200 Redondo Ave.
Entry is free, and it’s cash-only good and game tickets. For more information, call Serina Foster at (562) 896-5608.
Fall into fun
Rancho Los Cerritos will host an arts-and-crafts workshop dubbed “Brilliant Brown,” and it will serve as a celebratory Thanksgiving event.
The event will be from 1pm to 4pm at Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Rd.
Children can choose from an array of art materials and nature supplies to make cornhusk dolls and fall-leaf mosaics. They can also create felt placements and paint a tree in fall colors.
Call Jan Shafer at (562) 206-2040 for more information.
