Host of events lined up in region for Halloween
Families visit the "Spooktacular" trunk-or-treat event Sunday on Ludington Street in Escanaba. The event, organized by the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority, had 42 "trunks" participate and a great crowd of visitors. After children voted on their favorite setup, prizes for best-decorated trunk or display went to Bay Veterinary Clinic, Delta Fence and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Pocket Park at the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds. More trunk-or-treats and other Halloween events are still upcoming over the next eight days. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
A porch and yard on Escanaba's South 14th Street are ready for Halloween. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Families visit the "Spooktacular" trunk-or-treat event Sunday on Ludington Street in Escanaba. The event, organized by the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority, had 42 "trunks" participate and a great crowd of visitors. After children voted on their favorite setup, prizes for best-decorated trunk or display went to Bay Veterinary Clinic, Delta Fence and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Pocket Park at the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds. More trunk-or-treats and other Halloween events are still upcoming over the next eight days. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
A porch and yard on Escanaba's South 14th Street are ready for Halloween. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
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Communities, schools, churches and organizations are preparing to celebrate Halloween in the region. A list follows of dates and times for some of the trick-or-treat and trunk-or-treat events in the area, plus a handful of other activities.
FRIDAY
-- The EscanaBOO Craft and Vendor Show -- featuring more than 100 vendors, a scavenger hunt, costume contest and more -- will be from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds in Escanaba. Admission is $2. A portion of proceeds go to the Catherine Bonifas Civic Center’s afterschool program.
-- Mid Peninsula School will have a trunk-or-treat and Halloween carnival from 5 to 7 p.m. The carnival, which costs $5 per person or $10 per family for admittance, will feature games, face painting, food, drinks and a mystery game with two difficulty levels. The trunk-or-treat in the school's front parking lot will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cars are needed; participants can sign up by emailing ljewell@mpswolverines.com.
– A flash mob is set to perform the Monster Mash in downtown Manistique at 6 p.m.
SATURDAY
– Day two of the EscanaBOO Craft and Vendor Show will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the U.P. State Fairgrounds All the same activities -- costume contest, scavenger hunt, vendors, etc. -- will again be present.
– Trunk-or-treat at the Gladstone Sports Park is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Participating trunks may RSVP by calling or texting 906-420-4745. Setup at the sports park, 900 N. Bluff Drive, begins at 11:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for the best trunk.
-- It's "fright night" at the Highway 2 Community Drive-in Theater in Manistique. A trunk-or-treat in the field that is the drive-in space begins at 6 p.m. Prizes will be given for best-decorated trunks and best costumes. After the trunk-or-treat, movie screenings begin at dusk. "Toy Story of Terror," “The Exorcist” and “The Exorcist: Believer” are on the docket. The theater's east gates will open at 4:30 p.m. for setting up trunks. West gates open at 5:30 p.m. for all other event participants. All fright night events at the drive-in are free.
-- The Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse's haunted lighthouse tour, a fundraiser for the Gulliver Historical Society, offers scary and non-scary versions. The non-scary tour is from 6 to 7 p.m.; from then until 10 p.m. will be the spookier event. The lighthouse is at 905 S. Seul Choix Pointe Road in Gulliver. Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 per child.
-- At the Rapid River School, 10070 U.S. 2, the Class of 2029 is presenting a haunted trail. A version for younger visitors takes place from 8 to 9 p.m., while the trail from 9 to 11 p.m. is “for the not-so-faint-of-heart.” Admission is $6 for children and $8 for adults. Hot cocoa, glow sticks and glow tattoos will be available for purchase.
SUNDAY
-- Gladstone’s Cameron Elementary School and the PTO will host a Halloween Carnival from 2 to 5 p.m. It will include a trunk-or-treat, carnival games, face-painting, pumpkin patch and playground scavenger hunt. Admission is $5 for kids and free for adults. Volunteers are still needed to help run games and the pumpkin patch and assist in the cafeteria.
-- An elementary Halloween Carnival sponsored by the Rapid River Key Club will take place from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the multipurpose room and cafeteria of Rapid River School, 10070 U.S. 2. Tickets cost $5 per child or $20 per family. The event offers games, a cake walk and concessions.
-- Also in Rapid River, a trunk-or-treat sponsored by local businesses will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. near Rapid's Landing behind the Rapid River Pub on South Main Street.
MONDAY
-- Mix and Mingle Community Events will have a "Halloween Moster Bash" with pizza, snacks, dessert, a costume contest and a DJ from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Gladstone Armory, 604 S. 18th St. Cost is $10 per person.
FRIDAY, OCT. 31
-- In Rapid River, trick-or-treating will be from 4 to 6 p.m.
-- In Bark River, trick-or-treating is from 4 to 6 p.m. as well.
-- Big Bay de Noc Schools in Cooks area has set trick-or-treating for 4 to 6:30 p.m. The school district has reminded people that they may see children with colored bags or pumpkin buckets - blue signifies autism, while teal means the child has food allergies.
-- Manistique First United Methodist Church, 190 N. Cedar St., will have a trunk-or-treat from 5 to 6 p.m.
-- Escanaba's trick-or-treating will be 5 to 7 p.m.
-- Gladstone has also set trick-or-treating for 5 to 7 p.m.
-- In the Rock and Perkins areas, 5 to 7 p.m. is the designated time for trick-or-treating.
-- Memorial United Methodist Church, 1920 Lake Shore Drive in Gladstone, will host a trunk-or-treat from 5 to 7 p.m. in the church parking lot. The trunk/costume that receives the most votes for their creativity will be awarded with a trophy donated by the Pride de Noc group. Anyone who would like to participate and pass out treats from their trunk should notify the church office at 906-428-9311.