In the past, Halloween in Ketchum was traditionally one of the biggest parties of the year, but in the last few decades the celebration has slipped away. The street party moved indoors as well as the enthusiasm for dressing up with friends and neighbors.
It's no secret that Ketchum has experienced a tough year, starting with a so-so winter and an okay summer which went down in flames, but rising from the ashes came a renewed spirit for Ketchum living.
On Saturday, Oct. 27, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Main Street in Ketchum will be shut down from Second Avenue to Sun Valley Road for a "Nightmare on Main Street" Halloween street party. The party will include a costume contest, music and relaxed open container laws in the designated blocked off area.
"The genesis of the idea came from Ron Parsons, Ketchum City councilman, who remembered the Halloween street parties of the past and offered it as a suggestion to help out the local economy, which is not exactly flourishing," said Tom Nichols owner of the Roosevelt Tavern and the Sawtooth Club.
Ketchum mayor Randy Hall officially proclaimed Saturday, Oct. 27, instead of Wednesday, Oct. 31, as Halloween in Ketchum in hopes of not only bringing back Halloween but to lure visitors for the weekend who can take advantage of discounted lodging rates.
"I remembered years ago when there were television crews here from Seattle, Boise and Salt Lake City and former mayor Jerry Seiffert made the proclamation to move it to the nearest weekend night, and Randy Hall did it again," Nichols said. "We loosely formed a committee headed by John Sofro who has been putting together an event for the last two years at the nexStage, and he volunteered himself. He has donated $1,200 to this event."
There are many sponsors who came aboard to bring back a Halloween street party including the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber Visitors Bureau, Zion's Bank, Hayden Beverage, Watkins Distributing and Bacardi. There are also several in kind sponsors including Plum TV and Ketchum KSKI and several others. Many area restaurants have kicked in cash for the event, including the Casino, Whiskey Jacques, the Sawtooth Club, The Roosevelt Tavern, The Cellar Pub and Ricos. In addition, Cathy Wygle and the nexStage Theatre have been very much involved, along with Cody Proctor of Dirty Little Roddy's who designed and made posters for the event.
"What is great about it is that mom and dad get to go trick or treating with the kids on Wednesday, Oct. 31, but they get to have a Halloween of their own on the Saturday before," Nichols said. "Our whole effort is to make it into one more weekend, which is worth coming to Sun Valley."
The evening will feature a stage with lights and music by Craig Campbell and featuring MC Brian Rosella. The highlight of the evening will be a Halloween costume contest at 11 p.m. Prizes for best group costume which will be a progressive dining and drinking evening in Ketchum restaurants. A prize of $250 Chamber dollars will be given for scariest costume and a best in show costume will win a $1,000 ski package from PK's Ski & Sports and Stoli. There will be honorable mentions, which will include some prizes.
Judges will be going around throughout the evening picking out people to register for the costume contest, which will be headed up by Sun Valley Mayor Jon Thorson, Sara Curtis and Stacy Smith. The nexstage theatre will be hosting a haunted house for kids and will have a pumpkin-carving contest in which all the pumpkins will serve as footlights on the main stage for the street party.
As extra-added bonus and incentive to join the festivities, there will be free cab service from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., provided by A Cab and Airport Cabs. In addition, Mountain Rides will be providing free bus service with stops in Hailey and Bellevue.
Spooktivities
The second annual Harvest Celebration presented by South Valley Christian Churches will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m. at the Community Campus gym, featuring games, prizes, face painting, puppet show and lots of candy. Admission is free.
For more details, call 721-1451 or 578-1043.
There will be a Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum. Admission is free for spooky happenings, prizes, photo ops, goodie bags and refreshments, apple bobbing, Frankenstein's Spooky Laboratory, musical statues, kids costume parade and pumpkin carving contest. Bring your carved pumpkin to the nexStage by 3:30 p.m. The winners will be announced at 4:45 p.m. The contest is open to kids and adults. Prizes and treat bags provided by Atkinsons' Markets, the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Jane's, Tully's and The Toy Store.
For more details, call 726-9124.
The South Valley Merchants Alliance will hold its 2nd annual Hailey Halloween Hoopla from 3 to 7 p.m. in Hailey. Kids of all ages are encouraged to dress in their best costumes and trick or treat at participating Hailey businesses. There will be a costume contest at the Liberty Theatre with judging for preschoolers at 3 p.m., kindergarten through third grade at 3:45 p.m., fourth through eighth grade at 4:30 p.m. and high school and adults at 5:15 p.m. The Meriwether Building will be providing snacks and juice at 3 p.m. and dinner will be served from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a DJ at Bullion Square from 3 to 7 p.m.
For more details, call 720-2639.
There will be a Hemingway Halloween Party from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum on Sunday, Oct. 28, featuring games, cool prizes and great food. In addition, there will be handouts and information for parents and children to have a safe Halloween.
For more details, call 727-9622.
The Bellevue Parks and Recreation Committee will hold its fourth annual Pumpkin Festival with a cake walk, face painting, children's costume parade, candy hunt, train rides, pumpkin patch, games, food and drinks on Sunday, Oct. 28, from 12 to 3 p.m. Parade participants meet at the Bellevue Fire Department at 11:45 a.m. to walk to the city park at 12 p.m.
For more details, call 788-2872.
Thirty years ago, Ketchum Halloween parties were serious business. They are finding a revival in 2007.
Stand tall at the Nightmare on Main Street.
Express photo 1977
