STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
Nick Harman didn’t do much trick-or-treating as a youngster growing up in England.
“Halloween falls close to Guy Fawkes Day on Nov. 5 and so the English were more into making effigies of Guy Fawkes, who tried to burn down the houses of Parliament in 1605, and toss them in the bonfire,” said the Vyykn Water employee.
Harman, however, has been crazy over Halloween since moving to the Wood River Valley in the mid-1990s. And he’s especially crazy over Nightmare on Main Street where the city of Ketchum shuts down Main Street for a few hours to allow a costume party that attracts the likes of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and a lifeguard complete with lifeguard chair.
That event will take to the streets once again this year in a valley that goes gaga over Halloween. And Harman will be there.
“It’s the events this town put on that really infuse the town with a vibrancy and fun that nurtures our sense of community and keeps us energized as a town,” he said.
There’s a myriad of ways to have ghoulish fun this year, ranging from Sun Valley’s costume skate party to The Spot’s live rendition of “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
And the Wood River YMCA will join in on Hailey’s Halloween Hoopla on Halloween Day with a Bounce House, popcorn treats and free passes to the Y in honor of the Y’s 10th anniversary celebration, which is coming up on Nov. 4.
The Chamber scored some bargain prices on bulk candy for merchants giving out treats during Hailey’s Halloween Hoopla, said Kristy Pallas. Last year participating merchants handed out treats to a thousand little Spidermen, fairy princesses and Mutant Ninja Turtles.
“It’s nice because it provides a safe environment for kids—a place where parents can relax while their youngsters run around dressed up as little butterflies and other things and have fun,” she added.
Here’s what’s lurking in the cobwebs for this year’s Halloween:
THURSDAY-TUESDAY, Oct. 26-31—“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” returns for the third year in a row at The Spot, 220 Lewis St. in Ketchum.
Members of The Spot theater company in Ketchum will take the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” to another level as they summon live actors to act out as the film flashes across the screen. The audience will be given toilet paper, squirt guns and other props to throw at the actors as they reenact the story of a young couple who wanders into a strange Transylvanian science convention hosted by the mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter. And, of course, everyone will be encouraged to dance the “Time Warp” and shout out lines to the movie.
Shows for those 21 and older will be held at 9 p.m. Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Tuesday. Tickets are $33 a person, at www.spotsunvalley.com. A special Under 21 showing will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Prop bags, treats and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. The Under 21 performance costs $20. Costumes are required.
FRIDAY, Oct. 27. 7-9 p.m. KDPI Drop-In Radio 88.5 FM will host “A Dark and Stormy Night” at the Ketchum Innovation Center, 311 1st Ave. in Ketchum.
Guests will be treated to Warfield Distillery cocktails, craft brews, wine and ghoulishly delightful hors d’oeuvres. There will be a ghost Story Open Fright Mic on Air, along with Ping-Pong and dance music by KDPI DJs. Tickets are $20 for adults with kids admitted free with a paying adult. They can be purchased in advance at kdpiproduction@gmail.com or by phone at 208-928-6205. Proceeds will benefit KDPI’s Youth Radio.
FRIDAY, Oct. 27. 9:30 p.m. Whiskey Jacques, 251 Main St. N., in Ketchum, will have a costume party featuring a Talking Heads cover band. Attendees are invited to join in their best ‘80s costume. Tickets are $8 online at www.whiskeyjacques.com or $10 at the door.
SATURDAY, Oct. 28. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Nightmare on Main Street will get take place on Main Street Ketchum as traffic is detoured. DJ Locomotive will spin tunes from 9 to 11 p.m. And there will be a Costume Contest at 10 with prizes awarded Best Female, Best Male, Creepiest, Sexiest, Best Group, Best Overall and Most Creative.
SATURDAY, Oct. 28. 9 p.m. Sun Valley Brewery, on Main Street Hailey will hold a Dead Show Halloween featuring music by the Grateful Dead as performed by a local band at 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28.
SUNDAY, Oct. 29. Noon-3 p.m. Sun Valley Resort will host Sun Valley Trick and Skate.
Kids are invited to don their Halloween costume and trick or treat around the village shops and restaurants. Then they’re invited to head over to the outdoor ice rink for free ice skating and enjoy a Halloween movie at the Opera House at 3 p.m. for just $2.
TUESDAY, Oct. 31. 3:30-5 p.m. Halloween Hoopla in Hailey. Merchants in Hailey, denoted by orange and black balloons, will hand out treats while Sun Valley Ballet dancers perform “Thriller” and the Wood River YMCA provides a bouncy house and other activities.
A costume party open to all in costume will run continuously at the Liberty Theater with prizes from local merchants.
TUESDAY, OCT. 31. 7-10 p.m. DancZen will throw its annual Halloween DancZen Party at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, at Move Studio, 231 Northwood Way in Ketchum.
Dancers are invited to wear a costume or not. Or, wear a mask, or not. LineDanzen will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. for a cost of $10. Social dancing will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. for a cost of $15. Or, fork over $20 to take part in both the line dancing and the social dancing.
The music mix will include contemporary pop, swing, blues rhythm and blues, and country. No partner or experience is necessary. Treats will be provided. Call 208-720-3350 for more information.