by Julie Weaver
illustrations by Kelly Edwards
This year’s Halloween fun list offers events for both young and old, squeamish and hardcore alike. As I said last week, it’s unfortunate that our Lord British (aka Richard Garriott) has deigned not to put on his bi-yearly haunted abode, but he has at least given his crew and props to Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, so that should prove to be a fun choice. As well, there’s plenty of other unique places to get scared this holiday, so check ’em out before you decide to head on down to Sixth Street (now that’s scary!).
For more frightfully good fun — on the Web — check out our list of Haunted Hyperlinks!
Haunted Houses
BEN HUR SHRINE TEMPLE will host a Pumpkin Patch and Haunted House this season, with all proceeds benefiting this worthy non-profit organization. Fun for the whole family, the house and patch feature hayrides, jack o’ lanterns, games, storytelling, scarecrows, clowns, and more. Pumpkin Patch: Oct 24-31, 9am-8pm; House: Oct 25-26 and 31, 7pm-midnight; Oct 27-30, 7-10pm. Admission to the house is $5 per person, all of which is tax-deductible. 4300 Westbank Dr., 327-3810.
BOO AT THE ZOO is sponsored by the Austin Zoo. Kids and parents alike can visit the zoo at night, get a goody bag (young ones only, ya greedy parents!), and take a Haunted Train Ride. They’re the only ones I know of that can boast a stable of real beasts! Oct 18-20 and 24-31, from dusk ’til 9pm. Admission is $4 adults; $3.50 children (2-12) and grandparents. 10807 Rawhide Tr., 288-1490.
CACTUS JACK’S TRAIL OF FRIGHT HAYRIDE is ever-mysterious — I get very few details about this place. But I’d guess it must be good considering it’s still around after all these years. Check and see for yourself. Admission is $6 ($5 per person for groups of five or more). 13233 Hwy 71 W., eight miles from the “Y” at Oak Hill. 263-2388.
GRUSEUM, the annual event sponsored by the Austin Children’s Museum, is the perfect Halloween funhouse for the young ones. Not too scary, it’s packed full of fun and zany treats for kids ages 3-8. Participants can color Feet Street, make-and-take a magic wand, and discover other great surprises. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite costume and have their photo taken with Mr. Scarecrow in the Pumpkin Patch. Also featured are jugglers, acrobats, singers, square-dancers, cloggers, storytellers, and more. Oct 25, 26, 31 and November 1-2. Hours are Thu-Fri, 5pm-8pm, and Sat, 10am-5pm. Admission is $2.50 members, $3.50 non-members. All proceeds support ACM exhibits and programs. 1501 W. Fifth, 472-2499.
HAUNTED HAYRIDES is our out-of-town stand-by, located in the Alamo city. Beginning at dusk, the hayrides wind over two miles and feature over 30 haunts to scare you. It takes over 40 minutes just to get through the whole thing (i.e., you get your money’s worth!). Oct 24-27 and 29-31, dusk ’til 11:30pm. Reservations are strongly recommended, and admission is $9.95 adults ($2 per person discount for groups of 30 or more); $5.95 children ages 5-12; and free for kids under 4 (snacks are included in the ticket price). Rolling Oaks Mall, North Parking Lot, 1604 Nacogdoches in San Antonio.
HAUNTED HOUSEBOATS is a newcomer to the Halloween scene, presented by Carlos ‘N` Charlie’s on Lake Travis and Leander High School’s Drama Department. Passengers are invited to cruise aboard one of C ‘n` C’s 66-foot luxury yachts to Devil’s Cove, where a ghoulish production awaits! This is the Drama Department’s major fundraiser of the year, and their many-costumed actors will keep you on edge while they put their own spin on classic Halloween tales. Oct 24-27 and 29-31, 7:30-11:30pm (houseboats run every 15 mintues). Admission is $12 adults (with discounts for groups of 30 or more); $10 students; and $6 children under 12. 5981 Hiline Rd., 266-1683.
HAUNTED TRAILS AT THE BASIN While Lord British takes a sabbatical this year from the haunting of his mansion, Britannia Manor, spectral spook-house volunteers will haunt the trails of Wild Basin Wilderness, a 227-acre urban preserve located in the deep woods on the fringes of Lord British’s realm. Lord British has entrusted Wild Basin with some spooky effects seen in his 1994 Britannia Manor haunted house; and 90 percent of participating volunteers for Haunted Trails are Britannia Manor veterans, with a macabre enthusiasm to ensure that Wild Basin’s 45-minute trail of terror is a success. Wed, Oct 30, 7-10pm and Thu, Oct 31, 8-10pm. $15 per person by advance reservation only, and admission times will be pre-assigned (space is limited). 805 N. Capital of Texas Hwy, 327-7622.
NIGHTMARE FACTORY, the largest haunted house in Central Texas, is open for its ninth season this year, featuring over 6,000 square feet of dark mazes, sinister scenes, and custom special effects. New to the house this year is an alien autopsy — gooey, very gooey we expect. The Nightmare also boasts a special Factory Costume and Gift Shop on the World Wide Web, featuring almost a dozen departments containing everything from the official Batman Costume, to fangs, to accessories, to full-size props. Oct 25-Nov 2, 7:30pm-midnight. Admission is $7 per person; $4 per person on family nights (Sundays); $2 discount coupons available at DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks and Half Price Books. To get a peek at the house and to check out their costume and prop shop on the web, point your browser to http://www.nighmarefactory.com. 2101 W. Ben White, 445-FEAR.
PIONEER FARM‘s Halloween Activities are an Austin tradition for many area families. Fun for both young and old alike, the farm offers acitivities like hayrides, scarecrow building, a pumpkin patch, toys and games, refreshments, and a Haunted Barn. The barn and hayride features the Mad Scientist of Dr. Botz, storytelling, fortune-telling, and more. Oct 25, 26 and 31, dark to 9:30pm (a Sunday afternoon family Halloween party will be held Oct 27, 1-5pm). Admission is $4 adults, $2 children. Proceeds benefit the farm, and with this year’s cuts from the city council, they really need our support. Preserve central Texas’ heritage while scaring yourself silly! 11418 Sprinkle Cut-Off Rd. 837-1315.
SCREAMS, created by the same guys and gals who also bring you the Scarborough Faire every year, claims to be the world’s largest Terror Park — it covers over 50 acres, oh my! You’ll have to cover a lot more area to get there, though; it’s located off I-35, near Waxa-hachie (that’s near Dallas for those of you who are saying “Waxa-what?”). There’s a maze of terror, two frightening haunted hayrides, a haunted house, and a terrifying haunted castle to explore. As well, there are live stage shows each night, games, food and drink, and hundreds of ghastly performers meandering through the town. There will also be a children’s area with a pumpkin patch, face painting, a maze, and much more. The only bummer is that they don’t want you to wear a costume (I guess they don’t want to get you confused with their performers, eh?). Open through October 31 (closed Mondays), beginning each night at 7pm. 1.6 miles west of FM66 off N. I-35. 888/3SCREAMS.
Halloween Events
October 25:
THE 12TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN “TRICK OR TREAT PATH” & CARNIVAL will be held at the Northwest Recreation Center, 2913 Northland Dr. Designed for children 18 months to eight years old, the evening will feature costumed characters, a candy path, prizes, old-fashioned carnival booths and games, and more. Cost is $1 per child (parents free) and 25cents per carnival ticket. 6-8pm. 458-4107.
A HALLOWEEN MASQUERADE CHARITY BALL will be held at Saengerrunde Halle, 1607 San Jacinto St., next to Scholz’s. Proceeds will benefit the Texas Gay Rodeo Association. 7:30pm. (No number given.)
A SAFE HALLOWEEN PARTY for the kids will be held at River City Martial Arts, in the West Shopping Center on William Cannon. Children are invited to wear costumes, and the event will feature fun games, candy and treats, costume contests, and more. 7-8:30pm. 447-5425.
THE BOO BALL is a great alternative if you’re up for a roadtrip this holiday. Sponsored by the Alamo Resource Center, the masquerade ball of fun and phantoms will be held at Victoria’s Black Swan Inn in San Antonio, home of four legendary ghosts. Tickets are $30 per person/$55 per couple, and proceeds benefit AARC’s client services. 8pm-midnight. 210/222-2437.
October 26:
THE ANNUAL HALLOWEEN BALLof the Waterloo Counseling Center will be held at the Radisson Hotel, 111 E. Cesar Chavez. The ball will feature door prizes, costume contests, a snack buffet and cash bar, commemorative photos, dancing, and much more. Tickets are $20 at the door. 9pm-1am. 329-9922.
A HALLOWEEN HORROR BASH will be held for the kids at Terra Toys, 1708 S. Congress. Children and adults are invited to attend their Halloween Carnival, which features a wandering gypsy fortune-teller, an ancient witch storyteller, puppet-making, face painting, food and drink, and more. Costumed children have a chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Dragonsnaps or Terra Toys. noon-2pm. 445-4489.
MURDER ON THE HILL COUNTRY EXPRESS allows you to match wits with famed Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot as he races to solve a murder and the Hill Country Flyer races through the Central Texas night. The Capital City Mystery Players celebrate their third Halloween Whodunit with a new version of this decidedly humorous whodunit. Costumes optional but are encouraged. 7pm, at the Cedar Park train station. Tickets: $35. Reservations required. 477-8468.
October 28:
TEXAS GHOST STORIES for kids and adults of all ages will be presented at the Richard Moya Park, Shelter 2, at 10001 Burleson Rd. Professional storytellers will weave bewitching Halloween tales such as Clickety-Clack Bones and the Donkey Lady of San Antonio. Bring a blanket and sit around the campfire. Admission is free, but proceeds from the sale of Halloween treats will benefit the United Way. 473-9437.
October 31:
THE GREAT MOON PIE RUN at Town Lake is sponsored by RunTex and the City of Austin. The trail will be lit up with lanterns, and mile stations will be stocked with trick-or-treats (as well as water, of course!). All runners will be given free miniature flashlights and are encouraged (but not required) to dress in costume. Music will be featured before and after the race, as well as food from Mangia Pizza and others, and free face painting. Runners will be awarded with moon pies as they finish the race. The race starts at RunTex, 422 W. Riverside. A party will follow the race. 6pm. 472-3254.
THE 1ST ANNUAL HALLOWEEN CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL will be held at the Town Lake Animal Center, 1156 W. Cesar Chavez. A double feature of original 1940s films starring Lon Chaney will include Mummies Tomb and Ghost of Frankenstein. Prizes will be awarded to children for the best dog and cat costumes, and refreshments will be provided. Admission is by donation, with all proceeds benefiting the animals. 6-9pm. 472-7387.
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW will be screened in a special showing at 10pm at Northcross 6 Theatres in Northcross Mall, Anderson Ln. & Burnet Rd. Join the live cast as they celebrate Halloween in epic style. 454-1650.
A HALLOWEEN FUNDRAISER for The Children’s Shelter will be held at Northcross Mall, Anderson Ln. & Burnet Rd. Festivities include spooky games, T-shirts, books, a store-to-store trick-or-treat, and more. 6-7:30pm. 258-4579.
THE 2ND ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY of the Japan America Society will feature a variety of activities for the whole family, including pumpkin carving, a pi�ata, a potluck (BYOB), and more. Free, but donations will be accepted. 6-8pm. 478-1402.
A SPOOKTACULAR CARNIVAL for the whole family will held at Sam’s, 5107 S. I-35, with proceeds benefiting the Pediatric AIDS League of Austin. The event features a cake walk, ring toss, basketball hoop, brain tank, face painting, haunted house, moonwalk, food booths, a Wheel of Fortune, shopping spree giveaways, and Goose Bumps stickers, pencils, books, videos, and more. 9am-9pm. 444-0204.
HALLOWEEN ON MAIN STREET will be held on Main Street in Pflugerville. The festival will feature a variety of activities, including trick-or-treating, as well as a Jack-o-Lantern carving party at the Pflugerville Senior Activity Center, Second & Pecan Streets. 6:30-7:30pm. 251-7667.
November 1:
A GRAND MASQUERADE BALL will be held at the Austin Music Hall, 208 Nueces, in celebration of 15 years of service to the Austin community by the Center for Attitudinal Healing. The band JumpStart will provide live music, and Ron Oliveira of KNVA/KXAN television will be Master of Ceremonies. The ball will also feature live and silent auctions. All proceeds will benefit ACAH’s programs. 7-11pm. 327-1961.
November 2:
A PUMPKIN SCULPTURE CONTEST will be held at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 605 Robert E. Lee Rd. All age groups are welcome to participate, and judging will be by vote of museum visitors. Anyone bringing a carved pumpkin will receive free admission to the museum that day. 1-4:30pm. 445-5582.
November 3:
A FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL will be held at the Southwestern Family branch of the YMCA, 6219 Oakclaire. The event will feature a pumpkin decorating contest, arts and crafts, a cake walk, pendulum bowling, food and drink, and more. 2-4pm. 891-9622.
Ongoing:
THE 1925 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA FILM is back for its annual Halloween run at the UT Performing Arts Center. Each year, the silent classic is screened with organ accompaniment by UT professor of organ and harpischord, Frank Speller, who will perform his spooky soundtrack on the 24-ton tracker pipe organ in the Bates Recital Hall. Dress up and have fun! Sat, Oct 26, 7 & 10pm, and Sun, Oct 27, 4 & 7pm. 471-1444.
HALLOWEEN CHILDREN’S CONCERTS. sponsored and performed by the Austin Symphony, will be held at the Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave. Music from the Disney movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame will be featured, as well as the 1996 Olympics Theme, selections from Water Music and the Mother Goose Suite, and more. Also featured are children’s games, and everyone is encouraged to wear their favorite costume. Sat, Oct 26, 1:30 & 3pm. Special performances will be held for first- and second-graders from the Austin and Round Rock Independent School Districts on Mon & Tue, Oct 28 & 29, 9:45 & 11:45am. 476-6064.
LA PETITE ACADEMY’S FALL CARNIVALS will raise money to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Austin. Children 18 months to 12 years old are invited to attend the carnivals, which will be held Oct 25-30 at various locations around town. The carnivals provide a safe alternative to trick-or-treating, and feature games, music, and refreshments. 480-1244.
THE RITES OF ELEUSIS are seven mystery plays celebrating the human and divine archetypes of the original seven astrological planets: Sol, Luna, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and Mercury. Originally written by Aleister Crowley in 1910, these pieces of ritual theatre were revived last year by the local group Scarlet Woman Oasis, Ordo Templi Orientis. The plays take audiences to a wild array of settings — from Shogunate Japan and Aztec Mexico to Pulp Fiction and Paris Is Burning — with original music, slides, and special effects adding to the spectacle. Each play is staged only once, with a new performance every five days during the cycle. The first is The Rite of Saturn, Oct 26, Sat, to be followed by The Rite of Jupiter, Oct 31, Thu. All performances 8pm, at Bodhi Yoga Center, 1710 Houston. Seating limited to 77. Tickets: $5 ($31 cycle pass). 443-7382.
GHOSTLY DOINGS AT THE DOUBLETREE provides a “spirited” way for fans of participatory mystery shows to celebrate Halloween. The Capital City Mystery Players have created an all-new whodunit just for the holiday, with mysterious apparitions adding to the usual puzzles and fun. But as always, you get to solve the crime. The show features veteran Mystery Players, plus performers from Shear Madness. Oct 31 & Nov 1, Thu & Fri, 7:30pm, at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel, 15th & Guadalupe. Tickets: $39. 478-7000.
This article appears in October 25 • 1996 and October 25 • 1996 (Cover).