There’s been some pretty creepy characters in Chris Harshman’s Langley Middle School band room this week.
It could be the spooky tunes that have been vamping through the room in preparation for the school’s third annual Creepy Concert Thursday, but the musical middle school band ghouls, goblins and witches will definitely tell you that no matter how you say it — All Soul’s Eve, Day of the Dead, All Saints Day, All Hallow’s Eve — Halloween is Friday.
To celebrate the haunting season, here’s a few places around South Whidbey to have a monster ball:
Phantoms of Whidbey haunt
Stop by the Phantoms of Whidbey haunted house “The Legend of Abigail Crumbwell” to find out why Charlie Withers has lost his head. But don’t forget to run from the ax-wielding widow Abigail Crumbwell.
“I won’t even go through it and I helped build it,” said Heidi Norris, a parent of a South Whidbey High School senior and one of the people who planned the haunted house.
The haunted house, held in the former location of the Senior Thrift store on Kramer Road, is a benefit for the South Whidbey High School senior class Grad Night event.
Norris, Traci Winn, Patty Hussey, Lisa McDermott and many seniors and parents have worked to bring the scary tale of Abigail Crumbwell to haunting life.
Twelve rooms are filled with creepy scenes sure to make your spine tingle and leave you a little skittish in the dark. Based loosely on a the story of real woman, the tale of Abigail Crumbwell was written and designed by Gordon Free.
Showtimes at the haunted house are 6-10 p.m. today, Thursday and Friday. The show on Halloween night runs an extra hour to 11 p.m. Admission is $5. For more information, visit www.phantomsofwhidbey.com.
Creepy fun and music
Langley Middle School Band will host the third annual Creepy Concert and Carnival from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Thursday.
Families can have a creepy good time with more carnival games this year, such as Ghostly Golf, Twisted Twister and Pierce the Parcel.
There will be door prizes and chances to win prizes, including glasswork by Callahan McVay, gift certificates to local merchants and tickets to the Phantoms of Whidbey haunted house. There will also be $1 raffle tickets and a bake sale.
At 7:30 p.m. the Langley Middle School concert band, under the direction of Chris Harshman, will perform music inspired by the Halloween season.
Proceeds from this event support the middle school band and its award-winning program. Fundraising is needed to help the band travel to performance competitions, as well as build their dream of a new practice room. Admission is $2 for adults and kids not in costume.
Carnival at CMA Church
For over a decade, the Christian Missionary Alliance Church has hosted a safe and guaranteed rain free place to take trick or treaters for Halloween fun. Kids and parents of all ages are welcome to attend the Hallelujia Carnival from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, at the CMA Church in Langley.
“It’s going to be the best place to be on South Whidbey Halloween night,” said CMA associate pastor John Groce. He estimates past years’ attendance at close to 900 people.
The family-oriented fun will include games, activities, free toy giveaways, magical entertainment and enough candy for all.
“It just keeps getting bigger and better,” Groce said.
There’s even a dinner full meal deal of a hot dog, chips, dessert and drink for $1.50 per person for the families on the fly.
Admission and games are free. Langley CMA is the church on the corner of 6th and Cascade in Langley.
Do the monster dance
Does your mummy have you down? Head to the Coupeville Rec Hall from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday to dance, unwind and have a ghoulish time. Costumes are optional but encouraged at this Halloween night hop. Singles are welcome. Learn some line dances from Charlie the dancing DJ. Enjoy swing, country, ballroom, oldies rock, Latino, hip-hop and more. The rec hall, located at Coveland and Alexander streets in Coupeville, is a casual, smoke-free atmosphere. Entry is $7.50 per person. Dance is hosted by DJ’s Unlimited, 360-678-5430.
Boo!gy at the Dog House
Celebrate the day of the dead with electronic blues band “da Sharks” when they “Boo!galoo” shortly after 9:30 p.m. Halloween night, at the Dog House Back Door Restaurant. It’s going to be the rockin’ place to be trick or treat night. Hear the five-piece sound of da Sharks and experience the costume extravaganza. Cover is $5.
Cemeteries honor All Souls Eve
All Souls Eve will be remembered at two of South Whidbey’s cemeteries
Saturday. Luminary walks will be held at Bayview Cemetery and the Langley Woodmen Cemetery 5 to 8:30 p.m. Each cemetery will be lit up with luminaria.
“It’s a time to remember and honor people who are no longer with us,” said Friends of the Langley Cemetery member Cary Peterson.
Originally opened in 1903, the Langley Woodmen Cemetery is filled with gravestones bearing the names of Whidbey families of which generations have called South Whidbey home.
“A lot of people don’t make time in their lives for times to remember and this is that opportunity,” said fellow Langley Cemetery friend Margot Gerome.
People can put a paper luminaria on a specific gravesite or in a special area for loved ones not buried there.
“It doesn’t have to be someone buried here that they’re honoring. We’ve had people bring luminaria for their pets,” Peterson said.
The Bayview Cemetery event will particularly remember the Island pioneers buried there, such as long time chicken farmer John Patton, Jr., with luminaries set on their graves.
This is the eighth year of the event in Langley sponsored by Friends
of Langley Woodmen Cemetery. For information about the Langley event,
call 221-6046.
The event will be a first at Bayview Cemetery, and is coordinated by friends of the Bayview Hall Association. Volunteers are needed to put the Bayview luminaria together the morning of the event (10 a.m. at Bayview Hall) and to assist with parking and distribution of luminaria at the event itself. If you can help, please call 321-5494 or e-mail nancyw@whidbey.com.
