Halloween’s haunting outings begin a week early
Anyone who’s weak on waiting to celebrate Halloween – a week from this Saturday – has plenty of warmup treats to take in this weekend, maybe with a show, haunted walk, or a state park turning its Atalaya historic landmark into haunted castle.
Theatre of the Republic, in its 46th season and riding the wave from its “Young Frankenstein” run last October, has opened “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy” for three weekends. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1 at the Main Street Theatre, 335 Main. St., Conway.
Tim McGhee, the troupe’s executive/artistic director, called this a family friendly, “fun, fun show” with great songs, and he cited being “lucky” in casting everyone to match up to each character, including “a lot of new faces who have never been in major roles.”
The story centers on Gomez and Morticia Addams’ daughter, Wednesday, “coming of age,” McGhee said, and her “wanting to marry a normal person.’
A dinner with the fellow and his parents, none of whom anyone else in Addams clan has met, also gets lively.
“It has a lot of great dancing, dancing, and a lot of one-liners,” McGhee said, priming audiences for the setting. “The whole show makes you go ‘Hmm.’ ”
He counts about 20 with acting parts and 18 behind stage to bring the Addamses back to life, since their debut as a cartoon in The New Yorker by the late Charles Addams, then as a TV series in the mid-1960s, and in two early 1990s movies starring Anjelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd and the late Raul Julia.
McGhee said this Broadway musical adaptation reflects many characterizations from “the black-and-white TV show,” which he enjoyed watching while growing up.
“I don’t know why I liked it,” he said, engrossed by the “silly” nuances of the family and loving the back-and-forth capers between Wednesday Addams and brother Pugsley.
Scary strolls span parts of the Grand Strand as well, including the “Haunted Forest,” a benefit for Help 4 Kids/Backpack Buddies, which based in the Forestbrook community, relays food to needy children across Horry County year round. This forest, open 6:30-11 p.m. daily through Nov. 1, is reached through the Broadway Grand Prix parking lot, behind Hollywood Wax Museum, on 21st Avenue North Extension in Myrtle Beach, west of U.S. 17 Bypass.
Tracey Stillwell, coordinator of the Haunted Forest, talked of the teamwork the past few months to plan this venture, also with help from neighboring property owners. She said several weeks were spent carving the path through woods “as thick as you could get,” then the record rainfall from Oct. 2-5 brought floods, delaying the forest opening for 8-9 days.
This attraction, geared only to individuals 10 and older, takes about 25 minutes through which to walk, Stillwell said, “in a really deep, dark swamp forest” full of live characters including “old school” classics: Jason from “Friday the 13th” movies, Freddy Krueger from the “Nightmare on Elm Street” cinematic series, and a visit to a jail cell with Hannibal Lecter, a character from “Silence of the Lambs” for which Sir Anthony Hopkins won an Oscar for Best Actor.
Stillwell said she has been involved with designing haunted forests in several other states, but that for this Myrtle Beach outing, she’s happy so many people are taking part in a bigger picture to assist Help 4 Kids, for which everyone coming out to walk this forest is encouraged to being nonperishable food donations, especially this Monday and Tuesday.
On those two days, gifts of Vienna sausage, canned ravioli or pasta (pop-top), peanut butter crackers, and chicken noodle soup, will bring a double benefit with each paid admission. Stillwell said such patrons will be welcome to walk through the forest for twice the fright in one night.
Contact STEVE PALISIN at 843-444-1764.
FAMILY FARE
Area trick-or-treating
WHEN: All on Oct. 31 –
▪ 3-5 p.m. at The Hammock Shops Village, on U.S. 17 in Pawleys Island. 843-235-6355 or www.thehammockshops.com
▪ 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, with fireworks at 8 p.m. 843-444-3200, 800-386-4662 or www.broadwayatthebeach.com.
▪ 5-7 p.m. at Barefoot Landing, on U.S. 17, on south end of North Myrtle Beach. (Also, “Boo Fest!” noon-4 p.m. this Saturday – Dress up with pets for Halloween, including costume contest.) 843-272-8349 or www.bflanding.com.
▪ 5-7 p.m. at The Market Common in Myrtle Beach, including complimentary carriage rides. 843-839-3500 or www.marketcommonmb.com.
Annual ‘Boo Bash’
WHAT: Not-so-scary Halloween party, with costume wear encouraged
WHEN: 5-7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Children’s Museum of South Carolina, 2204 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach
HOW MUCH: $3
ALSO: Museum open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays, for $8 ages 2 and older, otherwise free.
INFORMATION: 843-946-9469 or www.cmsckids.org
‘Atalaya Fall Festival and Haunted Castle’
WHERE: Huntington Beach State Park, on U.S. 17, between Murrells Inlet and Litchfield Beach, across from Brookgreen Gardens
WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday,
INCLUDES: Two separate haunted house attractions – a not-so-scary maze of creepy rooms and a “Haunted Castle” – with carnival games, children’s crafts, spooky movies on a big screen, s’mores, and bonfire.
HOW MUCH: $10 ages 16 and older, $7 ages 6-15, and free ages 5 and younger, with park admission ($5 ages 16 and older, $3.25 S.C. seniors, and $3 ages 6-15) waived for this event only.
ALSO: “Atalaya Sleepover,” Nov. 14-15, including dinner, breakfast, s’mores and ghost stories by a campfire, a tour of the house, scavenger hunt, nighttime beach walk and morning wildlife walk. $50 ages 16 and older, $30 ages 7-15. Register by Nov. 7.
INFORMATION: 843-237-4440, 843-238-5325 (nature center) or www.huntingtonbeachsp.com, and email for event registration: huntingtonbeacheducation@scprt.com.
Halloween-themed lectures
WHAT/WHO AND WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturdays –
▪ Oct. 24 – “Superstitions and Folklore,” with Rhonda Etherden
▪ Oct. 31 – “Ghost Stories from the Lowcountry,” with Capt. Sandy Vermont
WHERE: Horry County Museum, 805 Main St., Conway, next to Horry County Memorial Library Conway branch.
HOW MUCH: Free
OPEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays
ALSO: L.W. Paul Living History Farm, 2279 Harris Shortcut Road, north of Conway, open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. including “Syrup Day” Nov. 14 and “Christmas at the Farm” Dec. 5. Free. (843-365-3596).
INFORMATION: 843-915-5320 or www.horrycountymuseum.org
Third annual ‘Halloween at the Old Bridge’
BY: Old Bridge Preservation Society
WHEN: 5-7 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Old Bridge Museum, 109 Shoreline Drive W., Sunset Beach, N.C.
HOW MUCH: Free
INCLUDES: Costume contest, games, and apple cider
MUSEUM OPEN: 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays
INFORMATION: 910-363-6585 or oldbridgepreservationsociety.org
Annual ‘Trick or Treat Under the Sea’
WHEN: 4:30-8 p.m. Oct. 28-30
WHERE: N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, on U.S. 421, just south of Kure Beach, N.C.
HOW MUCH: $11 ages 3 and older, otherwise free.
ALSO: Haunted Trail, geared to ages 10 and older, at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, nearby at 1000 Loggerhead Road, 7-9 p.m. Oct. 29-30. Free.
AQUARIUM OPEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, for $10.95 ages 13-61, $9.95 seniors and military, and $8.95 ages 3-12.
INFORMATION: 910-458-7468 or www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher
Annual ‘Halloween on the Marsh Walk’
WHERE: Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk, on U.S. 17 Business, in northeast Georgetown County
WHAT AND WHEN: Oct. 29-31 –
▪ Pumpkin carving contest, with display of jack ’o lanterns on front porch of Lazy Gator, 3986 U.S. 17 Business. Drop off entries Oct. 29-30 with staff at front register; awarding of prizes Nov. 2.
▪ Trick-or-treating 5-6 p.m. Oct. 31, and children’s costume contest at 6 p.m. at pirate statue behind Drunken Jack’s restaurant, 4031 U.S. 17 Business, with first- and second-place prizes for ages 3 and older, for best duo or group, most creative, funniest, and scariest. Details at 843-497-3450.
▪ Adult costume contest, 7-10:30 p.m. Oct. 31, in categories of people’s choice, best duo/group, individual, “Big & Bulky,” Murrells Inlet themed, and honorable mention. All entrants also must visit all seven Marsh Walk restaurants and collect a colored wristband.
HOW MUCH: Free
INFORMATION | 843-497-3450 or marshwalk.com/special-events/
‘Halloween Parade & Party’
BY: Columbiettes Council 5086 of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach
FOR: Children in preschool through sixth grade
WHEN: 5-7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Parish Community Life Center on 37th Avenue North, between Kings Highway and Oak Street
HOW MUCH: Free
INCLUDES: Parade at 5:15 p.m. for all youth in costumes, an with prizes first and second places for scariest, funniest and most creative
INFORMATION: 781-910-2781
Museum ‘Trunk or Treat’
WHEN: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 31, with costume wear encouraged, and pumpkin painting workshop 11 a.m.
WHERE: Museum of Coastal Carolina, 21 E. Second Street, Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays
HOW MUCH: Free with admission –$9 for ages 13-62, $8 ages 62 and older, $7 ages 3-12, and free ages 2 and younger
INFORMATION: 910-579-1016 or visit www.museumplanetarium.org
‘Halloween Saturday Bonfire’
WHERE: La Belle Amie Vineyard, 1120 St. Joseph Road, Little River, just west of North Myrtle Beach Middle School
WHEN: Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 31
HOW MUCH: $3 – or bring two canned/dry good items for area food banks and receive free admission.
INCLUDES: Music by The Stringwood Trio, 1-5 p.m., and vineyard tour 2:30 p.m.
ALSO: “Saturday Music & Cookout,” noon-5 p.m. this Saturday, including music 1-5 p.m. by Creampuffs & Bourbon. Free.
INFORMATION: 843-399-9463 or labelleamie.com
‘Boo-Quarium Bash’
WHEN: 1-6 p.m. Oct. 31
WHERE: Ripley’s Aquarium, at Broadway at the Beach, on 29th Avenue North, between U.S. 17 Bypass and Robert M. Grissom Parkway in Myrtle Beach
HOW MUCH: Free with admission – which, plus tax, is $24.99 ages 12 and older (or save $2 advance online from this adult rate), $15.99 ages 6-11, and $7.99 ages 2-5, and free ages 1 and younger.
INCLUDES: Trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, scarecrow building, scavenger hunt, crafts, and come dressed in family friendly costumes, for costume parade and contest at 3 p.m.
ALSO: Stay for “Spook-Quarium” sleepover – including scavanger hunts, haunted aquarium walk, games, crafts, snacks, and breakfast the next morning – at 7 p.m., for $29.99 plus tax, with paid admission, and pre-registration at 843-916-0888 or 800-734-8888.
AQUARIUM OPEN: 9 a.m. daily
LOCAL DISCOUNT: Half off for residents of Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick counties with ID, at all five local Ripley’s attractions.
INFORMATION: www.ripleysaquarium.com
Annual ‘Howl-O-Scream’
WHEN: 5-8 p.m. Oct. 31 (Rain date: Nov. 1)
WHERE: North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, at S.C. 90 and Robert Edge Parkway
HOW MUCH: $5 per vehicle
INCLUDES: Hay rides, pumpkin painting, marshmallow roasting, and trick-or-treating.
INFORMATION: 843-280-5570, ext. 1, or parks.nmb.us/Page.aspx?id=21
ENTERTAINMENT
‘The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy’
BY: Theatre of the Republic
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 1
WHERE: Main Street Theatre, 335 Main. St., Conway
HOW MUCH: $23
ALSO: Auditions for several adult parts in “A Christmas Story: The Musical,” 7 p.m. Sunday-Monday at theater – for show run, Dec. 9-20.
INFORMATION: 843-488-0821 or www.theatreoftherepublic.com
‘Murder Mystery Dinner: The Cold Case’
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28-29
WHERE: The Brentwood Restaurant & Wine Bistro, 4269 Luck Ave., Little River
HOW MUCH: $52, including hors d’oeuvres, three-course meal, blueberry bread pudding. tax and service.
ALSO: Guests encouraged to wear costume to Halloween party within the plot
INFORMATION: 843-249-2601 or www.thebrentwoodrestaurant.com
Halloween laser music shows
WHAT AND WHEN:
▪ Oct. 30 – “Laser Fright Light” 6 p.m., and “Laser Magic” 7 p.m.
▪ Oct. 31 – “Laser Fright Light” 6 p.m., and “Laser Mania” 7 p.m.
WHERE: Ingram Planetarium, 7625 High Market St., Sunset Beach, N.C., which opens at 11:30 a.m. Thursdays-Saturdays through Jan. 2, and on Nov. 25 and Dec. 28-30 (but not Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1).
STANDARD SHOWS: This schedule of Sky Theater dome shows goes through Nov. 25, with each noon show at half price:
▪ Thursdays (and Nov. 25) – “Sunstruck” at noon, “Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure” 1 p.m., “Undiscovered Worlds” 2 p.m., and “Oasis in Space” 3 p.m.
▪ Fridays – “Astronaut” noon, “Dinosaur Passage to Pangaea” 1 p.m., “Dynamic Earth” 2 p.m., and “Seven Wonders” 3 p.m.
▪ Saturdays – “Zula Patrol” noon, “Dinosaur Passage to Pangaea” 1 p.m., “Back to the Moon for Good” 2 p.m., and “Two Small Pieces of Glass” 3 p.m.
OTHER LASER SHOWS:
▪ Friday – “Laser Country” 6 p.m., and “Laser Vinyl” 7 p.m.
▪ Saturday – “Laser Michael Jackson” 6 p.m., and “Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’” 7 p.m., the latter of which is not recommended for young children.
▪ Nov. 13 – “Laser Country” 6 p.m., and “Laser Retro” 7 p.m.
▪ Nov. 14 – “Laser Michael Jackson” 6 p.m., and “Laser U2” 7 p.m.
HOW MUCH: Each $9 ages 13-61, $8 ages 62 and older, $7 ages 3-12, and free ages 2 and younger.
ALSO: Star Party Nov. 20 (rain date Nov. 21).
INFORMATION: 910-575-0033 or www.museumplanetarium.org
‘Whose Haunting Is It Anyway?’
WHAT: Annual Halloween show for adults
BY: Carolina Improv Company
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30-31
WHERE: Uptown Theater, by Bass Pro Shops in Myrtle Beach Mall, at U.S. 17 and S.C. 22, near Briarcliffe Acres
HOW MUCH: $13.75 advance online, or $15 at door
OTHER SHOWS: Mostly for adults, and all at 7:30 p.m. at aforementioned prices –
▪ “Whose Beach Is It Anyway” – for all ages – Friday, and Nov. 7, 14 and 21.
▪ “Carolina Girls of Improv Comedy,” Thursday.
▪ “Whose Night Out Is It Anyway?” Saturday, and Nov. 13.
▪ “Friday Night Live - Improv Comedy For Adults,” Nov. 6 and 20.
▪ “Dysfunctional Holiday Gathering,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 25.
▪ “Whose Holiday Is It Anyway?” – for all ages – 7:30 p.m. Nov. 27-28.
INFORMATION: 843-272-4242 or www.carolinaimprov.com
HAUNTED HOUSES, WALKS AND TRAILS
‘Haunted Forest’
BENEFITING: Help 4 Kids/Backpack Buddies, based at 2523 Forestbrook Road, in Forestbrook community, serving needy children across Horry County (843-651-4310, help4kidssc.org, or email info@help4kidssc.org)
WHEN: 6:30-11 p.m. daily through Nov. 1
WHERE: 1820 21st Ave. N. Extension, Myrtle Beach, west of U.S. 17 Bypass – Turn right, into Broadway Grand Prix Family Race Park parking lot, behind Hollywood Wax Museum, and follow leads back to forest.
HOW MUCH: Plus tax – $25 for one walk-through, or $40 unlimited in one night, and for military personnel, $22 and $37, respectively
ALSO:
▪ Geared only to ages 10 and older.
▪ Volunteers also are sought to help take tickets and greet guests; also, every volunteer will receive two free tickets.
▪ This Monday-Tuesday, with a food donation (see list nearby), take two walks through forest with one paid admission.
BRING DONATIONS: For relay to Help 4 Kids:
▪ Nonperishable foods – Vienna sausage, canned ravioli or pasta (pop-top), peanut butter crackers, and chicken noodle soup.
▪ Hygiene items, especially toothpaste and toothbrushes.
▪ School supplies – Paper, pencils, pens, erasers, black marble composition books, highlighters, markers, dry-erase markers, 3-inch-wide plastic binders, folders, and backpacks in any size.
▪ Clothes – Size 4-14 for boys and girls, new shoes, socks, underwear, pajamas, blankets, and sleeping bags.
INFORMATION: 843-995-3890, thehauntedforestmb.com
Annual ‘Conway Ghost Walk: Spirits of the Lowcountry’
WHAT: Hourlong tours 1 mile across downtown Conway
WHEN: Departing every 15 minutes 7-8:45 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
WHERE: From Conway Visitor Center, 903 Third Ave.
HOW MUCH: $15 ages 13 and older, otherwise $7
INFORMATION: 843-248-6260 or conwayalive.com
Annual ‘Terror Under the Bridge’
WHAT: “Horror Hospital”
BENEFITING:
▪ Fostering Hope Inc. of Conway, which assists foster-care children (843-254-8168 or fosteringhopeinc.com)
▪ Local flood relief efforts, from ticket sales this Friday.
▪ Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), from sales Oct. 28.
WHEN: 7-11 p.m. Friday-Oct. 31
WHERE: The X Sports Mall, 568 George Bishop Parkway, between U.S. 17 Bypass and U.S. 501, just west of Myrtle Beach
HOW MUCH: $12
INFORMATION: 843-457-1329 or terrorunderthebridge.com
Annual ‘Haunted Trail’
BY AND BENEFITING: Grissettown-Longwood Fire & Rescue
WHEN: Open 7 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays through Oct. 31
WHERE: 758 Longwood Road, Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
HOW MUCH: $10
INFORMATION: 910-287-3030 or www.grissettownfire.com/hauntedtrail.htm
Annual ‘Nightmare Haunted House’
WHEN: Open 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, and noon Saturdays-Sundays through Oct. 31
WHERE: 1001 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach
HOW MUCH: $12 ages 13 and older, otherwise $8
INFORMATION: 843-626-0022 or www.beachscream.com
Annual ‘Dr. Scream’s Haunted Mansion’
WHEN: Open 7 p.m. daily through Oct. 31
WHERE: 1807 21st Ave. N. Myrtle Beach, at U.S. 17 Bypass, in former Phillips Seafood, across from Hollywood Wax Museum
HOW MUCH: $20, including ambulance ride
INFORMATION: 843-748-0855 or drscreams.com
‘Ripley’s Haunted Adventure: Blackouts’
WHERE: 915 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach
WHEN: 2-9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-10 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays
HOW MUCH: $14.99 ages 12 and older, and $9.99 ages 6-11
LOCAL DISCOUNT: Half off for residents of Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick counties with ID, at all five local Ripley’s attractions.
ALSO:
▪ “Ripley’s Ruckus Undead Drumline Haunts” performances, 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m. Fridays through Oct. 30 in Myrtle Beach’s Plyler Park, at North Ocean Boulevard and Mr. Joe White Avenue. Free to see.
▪ “Boardwalk Fright Nights,” 6 p.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays through Oct. 31, nearby in Myrtle Beach boardwalk area. Free admission. (843-779-2662 or www.boardwalkfrightnights.com)
INFORMATION: 843-448-2331 or www.ripleys.com/myrtlebeach
This story was originally published October 22, 2015 at 1:00 AM with the headline "Halloween’s haunting outings begin a week early."