Ghostly figures welcome trick-or-treaters during a Halloween past. Times-Independent file photo
Haunted House and Carnival
Just Dance Company will sponsor its second-annual Haunted House on Friday, Oct. 26, from 7 to 10 p.m. at 1320 S. U.S. 191 (the warehouse behind Canyonlands Field Institute). This year’s theme is Haunted Hospital, so organizers are warning people to come prepared for surgery.
The cost is $5 at the door and proceeds will help dance participants travel to out-of-town competitions, according to Just Dance owner Sara Hatathley. Every admission will be entered into the drawing for a free iPad at midnight Saturday.
The dance company also will hold a carnival Saturday, Oct. 27, from 1 to 8 p.m. at the same site. The $5 admission allows participants to walk through all the games and receive a treat bag.
Spook Alley
The Club Red Moab Teen Center will host “Spook Alley” on Friday, Oct. 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Anonymous Park BMX bike track on 500 West. The event, a fundraiser for the center, features a guided tour through “hair-raising” environs. The cost is $5 per person or $20 for a group of five. Children age 7 and younger get in free.
Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival
One of the most popular Halloween events happens Saturday during the seventh annual Youth Garden Project Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the old airport runway south of Moab. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 to 14, with those under 3 admitted free.
The activity also includes pie eating and watermelon seed spitting contests, costume contests, free pony rides for children and more. Free shuttles to the chuckin’ fest will leave every 30 minutes from Moab Adventure Co., 200 S. Main St.
Sorrel River activities
Halloween activities also are planned at Sorrel River Ranch and are open to the public. The fun begins Friday, Oct. 26, with a hay ride from 5 to 6 p.m. beginning at the stable. An outdoor movie, “Monster House,” will be shown starting at 7 p.m. behind the stable and there will be a bonfire and S’mores from 7 to 10 p.m.
Pumpkin picking and painting is on tap from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The movie “Corpse Bride” will be shown starting at 7 p.m. A farmer’s market is planned Sunday, Oct. 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. Call the ranch for more information.
Costume parties, etc.
On Friday, Oct. 26 at Eddie McStiff’s, Moab Poets and Writers will host a Day of the Dead open microphone event for people to tell scary tales. It’s from 7 to 9 p.m. and participants may come in costume if they wish.
Also Friday, the Moab Brewery plans a costume party from 8 p.m. until midnight. Admission is $5 and proceeds benefit the Moab Bike Park.
An electro dance party is on the menu Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Frankie D’s, 44 W. 200 North. It will feature shadow dancing, projection screens and a light show.
Trick or Treat
Children will be out the night of Oct. 31 doing their annual house-to-house trick-or-treating, too. Some neighborhoods see heavy ghoul traffic.
Tineka Hackwell said she and husband Shan gave out 745 pieces of candy in three hours last year at their Tuscher Street home in Walker subdivision.
Getting just the right costume is vital, whether you’re an adult or a child. Carrie Alexander, owner of The Mad Hatter Costume Shoppe, says zombie themes are still popular.
“A lot of people are taking traditional costumes and zombifying them,” she said.
Costumes such as mini top hats or bowlers accentuated with a pair of goggles also will be seen this year, she said.
Trick-or-treaters of all ages are also invited to a Halloween Walk at City Market from 4 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Gift bag winners will be announced every 15 minutes. The evening also includes a canned food drive.