It was the familiar foggy and scream-filled atmosphere that set the tone for Halloween in the Long Beach community on the first day of October.
Costumed monsters ran rampant at the annual Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor event, scaring the living daylights out of attendees, and with even more of the cladded individuals providing jump-scares for those who dared venture through mazes.
It’s all in the spirit of Halloween, most would say. And more spooky happenings are in store.
Both Long Beach and Signal Hill have prepared some October festivities for those seeking to get their fright on.
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Halloween-events-1.jpg” credit=”Photos by Denny Cristales/Signal Tribune” align=”right” lightbox=”on” caption=”It was the cast of characters paying homage to the Queen Mary’s history and its haunted allure at the Dark Harbor event on Oct. 1 that gave a whole new meaning to the event’s slogan of “Fear lives here.” ” captionposition=”right”]
There’s something about roaming a haunted ship that just makes the Halloween experience all the more “sinister,” which was the case Thursday, Oct. 1 when the Queen Mary Dark Harbor event began.
During its “month of fear,” the Queen Mary morphs into the Dark Harbor, providing an atmosphere of mazes, live entertainment, paintball and a tour of the iconic ship.
The event will be open the entire month through Nov. 1 at the Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy. The Signal Tribune was there during its kick-off to recap the atmosphere.
It was the cast of characters paying homage to the ship’s history and its haunted allure that gave a whole new meaning to the event’s slogan of “Fear lives here.”
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.
As far as paintball goes, it is best to save ammo, maintain a steady aim and rely on shooting the monsters, as they will find places to hide, with one even lingering in a corner the entire time during one instance of the game. One or two are usually found in the adventure.
The targets can be hit, but they spring back up within seconds. Goggle protection is provided.
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.
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Halloween-events-2.jpg” align=”center” lightbox=”on” caption=”Home to six mazes, the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor event introduced new attractions to attendees, such as the Lullaby and the Anubis Paintball Adventure.” captionposition=”center”]
Not all the monsters are just in it for the spooky thrills; some even provide lively entertainment.
The Ringmaster was putting on a show, as she sang humorous songs and danced 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 .
Signal Hill Halloween Carnival
The annual family-friendly Signal Hill Halloween Carnival will take place Saturday, Oct. 24 from 3pm to 6pm at Signal Hill Park, 2175 Cherry Ave.
“The kids enjoy winning prizes and candy after playing the carnival games,” said Heidi Mazas, recreation coordinator for the City of Signal Hill. “The inflatable jumpers, which include a slide and a pirate ship this year, are always a crowd favorite.”
Mazas said the carnival has become a tradition in Signal Hill. “The event has been ongoing for at least the last 20 years and drawn over 1,000 people to the event each year,” she said.
The event will include games, contests, a stage show, a train, three jumpers, carnival games, crafts, a deejay and food. Admission to the event is $3 per person and free for those under the age of 1.
20th Historical Cemetery Tour
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Halloween-events-3.jpg” credit=”File Photo” align=”left” lightbox=”on” caption=”Attendees at the Historical Society of Long Beach Cemetery Tour in 2010, including former Long Beach Mayor Eunice Sato (seated center), learn about the city’s historical inhabitants through the performances of costumed actors.” captionposition=”left”]
Said to be where “every plot has a story,” the cemetery tour hosted by the Historical Society of Long Beach (HSLB) this year will mark 20 years of sharing graveside stories. The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9am to 2:30pm. The annual tour is located at Long Beach Municipal Cemetery, 1095 E. Willow St.
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 .
Bixby Knolls Carnival
Bixby Knolls will also have its own carnival as a two-decade tradition continues with the 21st Annual Bixby Knolls Community Carnival, taking place Saturday, Oct. 31 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, hotdogs, popcorn, cotton candy and other treats will be available for purchase along with food from local eateries in Bixby Knolls.
Source: Grace Brethren Church
These are some of the many events happening around the community. Did we leave something out? Email us at newspaper@signaltribune.com .
