Tricks or Treats

Halloween in Moab is more than a night of trick-or-treating this year.

Over the next couple of weeks there is plenty of fun scheduled with haunted houses, carnivals and costume parties.

Parents have two opportunities to take their youngsters out for family fun with a carnival at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center on Monday and another at Helen M. Knight Elementary (HMK) on Halloween itself.

The Halloween Carnival at the MARC from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28 is sponsored by Grand County Prevention of Child Abuse.

“Come dressed in your spooky, original, scariest or cutest costume and win a prize,” said Sherilyn Sowell, director of the Family Support Center.

There will be games and treats.

“Donations and volunteers are needed. Anyone willing to make cakes, cupcakes, and come help for the fun of it, we welcome it,” Sowell said. “Come out and join the fun.”

Kindergarteners from Mrs. Crane’s and Ms. Koon’s classes will present the Fall Pageant at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 30 in the HMK gymnasium. On Halloween, the next day, will be the annual costume parade. Children in kindergarten and first grade will begin their parade at 8:50 a.m. The second and third grade students will follow at 8:55 a.m.

The HMK Halloween Carnival will be from 1 to 4 p.m. school’s playground.

The Future Farmers of America will hold their annual haunted house in the former tech center at the Grand County Middle School.

But there is more than just trick-or-treating or carnivals for the kids.

Moab is the party place for grown-ups that want to dress up.

For those who are 21 years and older, the first parties begin Saturday, Oct. 26.

The first is the Ridiculous Costume Party at the Moab Brewery, one of the Moab Ho-Down events celebrating the winding down of the mountain biking season. The second is Stonefed’s annual Halloween tribute night at Woody’s Tavern.

Funkdafari is providing the music at the Ridiculous Costume Party. The western Colorado band is known for its roots reggae, funk, ska, Afro-jam and everything in between. The five dollar cover charge will go to expanding the bike park at Anonymous Park on 500 West as well as help with Trail Mix build a singletrack on Amasa Back. The best costume wins a cruiser bike.

Stonefed has been playing the Halloween gig at Woody’s Tavern for years.

The locally grown jam band mixes blues, funk and rock and roll.

“We do a lot of experimental improv,” said Ed Stone of Stonefed.

The Halloween celebration Saturday, Oct. 26 encourages costumes, but there is one more treat.

Stonefed traditionally does a never played before tribute to one band in the second half of the set.

Last year it was a night of Beastie Boys’ tunes.

To fine out which artist or group Stonefed will play tribute this year, you have to show up and listen.

Grown-up fun continues into the next week with two nights of dress-up at Frankie D’s.

On Halloween night itself, Transitions presents a Zombie Hip Hop Costume Party. The night will feature the DJ magic of Phil Maggio, Dumb Luck and Dimmy Droog. And there’s a prize for the best hip hop zombie costume.

The next night, Friday, Nov. 1, dress-up goes classy with the Ghost Masquerade Ball. The evening’s music will be provided by DJs Sidney Frost, Nasty Nate, and Young Wolfie. And there is a $100 prize for the best costume.

Allan Fogg, the owner of the Rio Sports Bar, has been decorating for Halloween.

“It’s like a haunted house in here,” he said.

The bar on 100 West will extend the Halloween season with a costume party beginning at 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2. The band LAHW (Life Has A Way) will provide live music. The best costume wins $100; second place takes $50.

The season ends with Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Moab Valley Multicultural Center (MVMC).

Floyd Humphies, the chair of the MVMC, invites the community to celebrate their loved ones who have passed.

Day of the Dead is a fusion of Aztec religious beliefs and the Catholic All Saints’ Day holiday. It is celebrated in the first week of November throughout Mexico and large parts of Latin America. The modern-day expression of these holidays celebrates life and honors souls who are no longer with us.

“The celebration will include traditional dancing, children’s activities, displays and delicious foods,” Humphries said. “Day of the Dead is a time to remember lost loved ones and celebrate the life that they had.”

The festivities will continue with a community dance from 6 to 9 p.m. that night.

A traditional Mexican graveyard will be displayed the week prior to the event so that visitors may learn about Día de los Muertos traditions.

Altars are built to invite those who have died to return home and visit loved ones. Favorite food and drink are offered to the dead for refreshment. Photos, clothing and favorite items the dead person enjoyed while alive are placed lovingly. Candles are lit to welcome the spirits to the altar.

“Anyone who is interested in creating their own tomb or altar is encouraged to learn,” said Katlyn Keane, one of the new VISTA volunteers at the MVMC. “We hope that everyone, particularly those who have lost a loved one will come participate in this beautiful celebration. All proceeds generated from food sales, altars, tombs and activities will go to the center and its programs.”

Author: Kristin Millis

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