By September 30, 2018 Read More →

BigView – Happy Haunting & Spooktacular Happenings

The BigView
By Chris Murphy & Middagh Goodwin

Tis the season of haunts, harvests and hallow. There is something magical about this time of year, when the cool breezes blow through the trees and the leaves begin to fall into Autumn. Tree branches come to lift as skinny arms and fingers as the evenings begin to darken and the mornings are darker. The mist just seems to blow across the lawns and parks and there might be eerie sounds to make the day more interesting. There are so many ways we can celebrate this vivid and surreal time of the year of giant harvest moons and pumpkin spice lattes. Let’s take a look at some of our surreal options this October. Make sure you check out www.modestoview.com for the latest fall harvest and haunted events in our community.

Summoning
Step inside a haunted land of 11th St. in Downtown Modesto. The Summoning is filled with hospitals, bars, jails, crypts, haunted houses, music stages, asylums and so much more. Multiple stages and themed areas greet your haunted selves for a night a frights and fun. There are 6 stages featuring music, wrestling, drag shows, costume contests and so much more. This is THE event to see and be seen. There is a $1000 costume contest so make sure you dress to impress the haunted haunts.
thesummoningmodesto.com
927 11th St
Modesto, CA, 95354
6:00 PM
21 and over

Shadowfest
Join the CVPE for the most charitable Halloween party you’ll ever attend!
All funds go to help Bret Harte Elementary during the holiday season to make their Christmas a little more bright! There will be a live DJ, Photo Booth, Costume Contest with a $500 cash prize, Two outdoor bars. Tickets are limited, and will sell out! Grab your friends and get your costumes ready
Galletto Ristorante
1101 J Street. Modesto, CA 95354
8pm – 1:30am
$25 tix www.ticketfly.com/event/1745481-summoning-halloween-street-modesto/

Rocky Horror Picture Show
“Michael Rennie was ill the day the earth stood still, and he told us where we stand”
The haunting first words of one of the campiest films ever made hypnotize audiences every time the film starts. If you are a “Rocky Horror Virgin” one of the best places to experience this film musical is at the State Theatre. Not only will you enjoy the film, you will get to see it acted out on stage by the Barely Legal Theatre Company. If you are a true fan, please dress as your favorite character, Frank N Furter, Riff Raff, Magenta, Eddie or even Brad & Janet.
October 20 – 10 pm
Tix at www.thestate.org

Most Haunted Shop in Town
You must pay a visit to the DayDreams and Nightmares costume and makeup shop. Located on 7th St in a former Crematorium, there are spirits that make themselves known on a regular basis. Chill and Ghost seekers regularly this spot for paranormal activity. While you are there, make sure you select an amazing costume and have your makeup professionally done.
www.facebook.com/daydreamsNightmaresCostumes
DayDreams and Nightmares
1219 7th St, Modesto
209-575-0023

Local Haunts and Supplies
Let’s make sure we shop local this year for costumes and Halloween supplies. Those national stores come and go, but our local Halloween Guys is here all year long for your costume and party needs. Ray Pogue and the crew stock everything you need for the creepy haunts and they even have their own haunted house, the Higbee Horror Haunt. This is a full-service frightening place to experience. Shop and haunt local friends.
The Halloween Guys and Party Guys
www.thepartyguys.party/halloween-costumes/
2936 Veneman Ave, Modesto
209-529-0000
209-857-8217

Dracula
Central West Ballet presents Dracula, A New Halloween Ballet Experience.
Based on the famous Gothic Novel, brought to life with atmosphere and passion! Haunting visuals and dazzling dances. Complete with an original score, Dracula is a not to be missed Halloween spectacular of amazing eerie music and dance.
October 19 & 20 Gallo Center for the Arts
Tix $30-35
www.galloarts.org

City Wide Escape!
This is the biggest escape Modesto has ever seen. You’re the lead detectives on the trail of a suspected serial killer ravaging Modesto that has just struck again. In his twisted game, he’s been leaving behind clues around the city of whom he might be, toying with the police. as lead investigators on the case, you’ve been tasked with piecing together the clues and determining who the killer is before he strikes again! Can you solve the puzzle? Registration ends Oct 11. Don’t miss out one this amazing event.
Saturday October 13 $100 per team
www.escapemodesto.com

In the City by the Bay
Calling all vampires, zombies, monsters and everyone with a Halloween costume! Join us for a fun night of music, food and two cocktails (additional drinks available for purchase) on a three-level yacht in the San Francisco Bay– all included in this low price. Come dressed in your costume to make this experience one that you will never forget. Pier 40, San Francisco www.partyoncruise.com/

Spooktacular Scares
By Middagh Goodwin

Haunted Houses and scary movies are an American date night rite of passage. There is nothing more exhilarating than being scared? Especially when you think you might not make it out in one piece. Your heart beats faster, the hair on the back of your neck stands up, and you pull your partner in just a little closer. We know it is not real, but we all still fall for it, we scream and giggle when the lights come back on.

We are lucky to have several fantastic haunted attractions in Stanislaus County. Regardless of your age, there is some spooky fun to be had.
We have collected some really interesting things to do. As we learn about more, please checkwww.modestoview.com for the latest updates. If you have an event and we don’t have it listed, please send us the scoop at events@modestoview.com<mailto:events@modestoview.com>

Higbee Horror Haunt has two locations again this year. This walkthrough haunted house has real-life characters designed to make your heart race and put just a little jump in your step. Higbee presents Halloween Horror at Boomers! Enjoy a heart-pounding game of Zombie laser tag while hungry undead roams free looking for fresh victims. There will be two unique scare zones do you think you can survive?www.higbeehorrorhaunt.com/

Ranch of Horror located at the Stanislaus County Fair is another attraction that combines interactive fun in the form of a paintball battle. Are you up to the task of fighting off a swarm of Zombies? You are given a limited time to find a flash drive, fix your vehicle and escape before a bomb goes off. They also have a several haunted tours with animatronics and live actors to intensify the experience and make your heart leap out of your chest. www.ranchofhorror.com

The Haunted Museum takes place October 25-27th at the McHenry Museum and is more family friendly, Offering fun, but not too much fright; the event is designed for children ages 5 to 12 and their families. The celebration will feature seven themed rooms, Halloween crafts, face painting, and a variety of games for kids in the arcade. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite costumes. This is much more Scooby Doo and less Friday the 13th. Keep an eye on ModestoView social media pages for chances to win tickets. www.bgcstanislaus.org/ Buy tix online www.hauntedhousemodesto.com/

Preston Castle is the creepiest of them all, as this place is seriously legit. From former boys work camp to the legendary haunted site, this is a must-do pilgrimage for the serious supernatural seekers. The Preston Castle, located at 900 Palm Dr, Ione, will host a series of scare tours on select weekends throughout October. On Halloween night, come in costume for the Halloween Costume Ball – complete with music, a no-host bar, food and frights! www.prestoncastlehaunt.com/

Monsters In Modesto! This creepy crawly event can be found in the parking lot of Vintage Faire Mall so you can quickly get in your car after you make it out of the haunted house. There are a couple of cool theme zones like the Psychotic Circus and the Zombie Hurricane, and there is a lighter scare version for kids and the faint of heart. www.monstersinmodesto.com/

The State Theatre is showing several scary movies the month of October. Kicking things off on the 2nd, celebrating the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein. October 10th who you gonna call? The 80’s classic Ghostbuster will be shown on the big screen. Disney’s Hocus Pocus will illuminate the theatre with creepy fun on the 17th. Kubrick’s interpretation of Stephen King’s The Shining is a Halloween masterpiece. For those over 18, the State will host a midnight screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show with live cast Saturday, October 21st. Universal Pictures released some of the greatest horror movies of all times and Creature of the Black Lagoon is one of them. Don’t miss your chance to see this classic on the big screen. What better way to end the month and celebrate All Hallows Eve then going to see John Carpenter’s genre-defining film Halloween.
www.thestate.org

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About the Author:

Chris Murphy is the President and CEO of Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group and Publisher and Founder of ModestoView Inc. Chris worked globally in the cycling industry returning to Modesto in 1996. He is also the founder of the Modesto Historic Graffiti Cruise Route, Legends of the Cruise Walk of Fame, Modesto Rockin’ Holiday, the Modesto Music History Organization and co-founder of the Modesto Area Music Association. Chris is married to his artist wife Rebecca since 1985 and has two daughters Madison and Abigail, both graduating from Modesto High and UC Berkeley. He is lead singer and guitarist for his band, Third Party that donates their performances to non-profits.