Halloween is the Wood River Valley's favorite excuse to don costumes, eat candy and, of course, throw a party, and this year the tradition of a Halloween street party continues. On Halloween night, Friday, Oct. 31, the evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a performance of "Deathtrap" at the nexStage Theatre followed by a "Nightmare on Main Street" party from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The event is sponsored by the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau and will serve as a benefit for the employees of the Sawtooth Club and Whiskey Jacques'. Employees lost their jobs due to a fire on Main Street on Monday, Sept. 15. The fire destroyed the former Dirty Little Roddy's bar and Whiskey Jacques' and severely damaged the Sawtooth Club. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
"Employees from Whiskey's and the Sawtooth Club will be working at the event," said chamber Membership Services Director Stefany Mahoney. "There will be two bars on Main Street, one manned by Whiskey's and one by the Sawtooth. Whiskey bouncers will check IDs and there will be food stations by the Sawtooth Club and Whiskey's, which will be done out of the Roosevelt."
The event will have a $10 cover charge wristband for people who are over 21 and want to buy drinks. The money generated from wristbands, bars and food will be split among Whiskey's and Sawtooth employees.
"The organizing committee still wanted to hold a party, even with Main Street looking the way it does, and we thought Nightmare on Main Street would be a great opportunity to help out our neighbors," Mahoney said.
Live country-rock music will be performed by the Jeremiah James Gang on Main Street at 9:30 p.m. The Jeremiah James Gang is well known to the region, playing most weekends at the Kasino in Stanley and Wednesday nights at Pengilly's in Boise.
A costume contest will take place at 10:30 p.m. with prizes for first and second places for the categories of Scariest, Most Original, Best Group and Sexiest. In addition there will be an overall grand prize. Area establishments have donated prizes, and judges will be local personalities.
"We will have heaters so everyone should come out," Mahoney said. "Anyone can enter for free if they are not drinking or under 21. Otherwise they have to have a wristband."
Mountain Rides will be providing a ride service at 8:15 p.m. departing from Bellevue with stops in Hailey at 8:25 p.m., East Fork at 8:35 p.m. and on to Ketchum. A southbound departure from Ketchum will be at 12:30 a.m. dropping at the same spots. There will be a special fare of $1 each way.
Besides adults, kids in the valley have a plethora of Halloween festivity options this year, which include a haunted forest in Bellevue, a hoopla in Hailey and a harvest party at the Community Campus.
The Haunted Forest
Prepare to be scared as you are guided through the Haunted Forest at the Howard Preserve in Bellevue, where you never know what spooks and creatures await. Little goblins can tour the forest on Wednesday, Oct. 29, and Thursday, Oct. 30, from 5:30 p.m. until dark, and full fright hours are from dark until 10 p.m. Enjoy bonfires, food and drinks. Admission is $5 adults, $3 for ages 5-12. It is not recommended for children under 5. The back-up weather night will be Friday, Oct. 31. Proceeds benefit Howard Preserve. A scholarship to be awarded to a youth to attend a winter break program. For details, call (208) 720-7160.
Halloween Festival
Webb Nursery in Ketchum will host a free Halloween festival on Friday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dress up in your favorite costume and enjoy face painting, apple bobbing, pumpkin tosses and a costume contest. For details, call 726-7213.
Hailey Halloween Hoopla
The South Valley Merchants Alliance's third annual Halloween party will take place on Friday, Oct. 31, from 4-7 p.m. Trick-or-treat at Hailey merchants while participating in games, treats and costume contests. Costume contests at the Liberty Theatre start with preschoolers from 4-5 p.m., kindergarten to third graders from 5-6 p.m., fourth through eighth graders at 6 p.m. and high school and up at 6:30 p.m. At the Meriwether Building, there will be a Haunted Kitchen with snacks and dinner for everyone from 4-7 p.m. and at Bullion Square, there will be a monster mash to live music sponsored by Notes Music. All events take place in downtown Hailey and will be free. The afternoon will also include street dancers. For details, visit haileyidaho.com or call, 788-3484.
All Hallows' Eve with Emmanuel Church
The festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, at the Hailey Cemetery for a walking tour followed by a celebration at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 5:30 p.m. with a bonfire afterward. Costumes are welcomed. For details, call 578-0520.
Halloween Dance Off
The Wood River YMCA will present a Halloween Dance Off with Nia, Movement Arts and Zumba Fitness on Friday, Oct. 31, at 5 p.m. The dance is free to the public. Wear a costume. For details, call 726-9622.
"Deathtrap"
View this special Halloween showing of the wickedly funny who'll-do-it play written by Ira Levin on Friday, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m. at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum. The play will continue through Sunday at 7 p.m. and will also run from Thursday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 9. Call for tickets, 726-9124.
Costume Party at the Cellar
As a pre-party to the Nightmare on Main Street block party, the Cellar Pub will have drink specials and best costume appreciation awards starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.
Haunted Happenings
Chester & Jakes will have a Halloween costume party with live music by Hoodwink, with drink specials and prizes on Friday, Oct. 31, at 9 p.m. For details, call 788-1051.
Black Magic Returns
The West Magic Fire District will hold a benefit on Friday, Oct. 31, with all proceeds going to the district. There will be a pumpkin-carving contest at 8 p.m. and costume contest at 9 p.m. First place prizes will be given for both contests. A raffle will take place after the costume contest. Tickets are available from volunteer firefighters and at the event for $1 each or 6 for $5. Bring potluck munchies. Attendees must be 21 or older.
Harvest Party Night
The churches in the Wood River Valley will host a Halloween party at the Community Campus gym on Friday, Oct. 31, from 6-8:30 p.m. There will be candy, games, bouncy houses and puppet shows. No scary or inappropriate costumes allowed. Meals will be available for $3 each or four for $10. Admission to the event is free or one non-perishable food item for the Hunger Coalition.
Camas County Community Halloween Festival
This celebration on Friday, Oct. 31, will include costume, pumpkin-carving and pie-eating contests. It will be a family-friendly, non-alcoholic event that is admission-free. Held at the American Legion Hall in Fairfield, the festival will take place from 5-8 p.m. For details, call (208) 764-2882.
Halloween brings out the best in costume and social commentary. Here, Matt Gorby sports his best Dick Cheney last Halloween in Ketchum. This year Wood River Valley children have several "trick or treat" parties to attend. Photo by Willy Cook
