Happy Friday, Ghosties!
When I was a kid, living on a military base in rural Indiana in the ’80s, I couldn’t wait for our local pumpkin patch to open. The humid summer months were over, there was a chill in the air, the leaves were turning and I was ready to get elbow deep in some pumpkin guts and then hack away at its flesh with a kitchen knife at our family dining room table.
But first, I had to pick my pumpkin. It was a task I took very seriously and, with the help of my father, I’d select the biggest one to haul home. The pumpkin patch was also where all the kids just ran loose. We got lost in corn mazes, went on sketchy carnival-style rides, posed for photos with scarecrows atop bales of hay and ate homemade popcorn balls and caramel apples until our tummies hurt.
What a time to be alive!
Some traditions never go out of style. Though these days the pumpkin patch experience is even more extravagant and choosing the largest pumpkin to carve could set you back several hours of pay.
There are dozens of family-friendly pumpkin patches popping up all over Southern California in 2023 with tractor rides, bounce houses, games, petting zoos, gourmet food trucks, live entertainment, face painting and, of course, lots of pumpkins to choose from. Get reporter Fielding Buck‘s list of where to find these pumpkin patches here.
Here’s more frightfully fun news.
ScareScape is coming to the Inland Empire
ScareScape will make its debut at Heritage Hill in Murrieta on Sept. 29 and run select dates through Oct. 29. The experience includes four mazes based on different common phobias including the fear of the dark, insects, the supernatural and clowns. Reporter Charlie Vargas spoke to independent haunt designers Lexy Berru and Emily Seruga about bringing their scary visions to life and incorporating local businesses into the event. Read all about ScareScape here.
Second-Hand Halloween
Much like the pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, Halloween costumes and decorations are expensive at the larger retail stores. Writer Liz Ohanesian visited some second-hand stores to see what kind of seasonal treasures can be found on a budget. She also explored the world of antique Halloween décor, which might not be easy on the wallet, but a sustainable way to shop and score some cool pieces of spooky nostalgia this season. Read the full article here.
Terror Tram: The Exterminatorz takes over Universal’s backlot
During Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Studios Hollywood transforms its daytime Studio Tour into the Terror Tram. While the regular tour runs throughout the day, after sunset, all kinds of monsters take over the experience. Guests are kicked off the tram and left to survive as they walk through famous sets on the backlot including scenes from the horror classic “Psycho,” “War of the Worlds” and Jordan Peele’s thriller, “Nope.” I spoke with HHN creative director and executive producer John Murdy about this year’s creepy-crawly Terror Tram theme. Read the full story here.
Guests at Creep It Real OC at Heritage Museum of Orange County in Santa Ana dressed up as the Sanderson Sisters from “Hocus Pocus” on Saturday, Sept. 16. (Photo by Kelli Skye Fadroski, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A look back at Camp Creep It Real
We ventured into Creep It Real OC last weekend at Heritage Museum of Orange County in Santa Ana. This year’s event had a “Friday the 13th” summer camp vibe and also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the beloved Disney classic “Hocus Pocus” with a pop-up museum and meet and greets with some of the stars of the film.
There were plenty of vendors selling Halloween-themed decorations, props and clothing, themed cocktails, yummy food and live music. So many of the patrons showed up dressed in super-impressive costumes; that, coupled with the gloomy overcast weather, definitely put is in the spirit of the season.
Creep It Real’s next event is dubbed Creep It Real Festive and is a Halloween meets Christmas event taking over the same venue on Nov. 18-19. General admission tickets are $15 and there’s a $37 VIP option that includes a ghost tour of the historic Kellogg House. Get more information and tickets here.
Until next week, happy haunting!
Get previous online editions of the Boos!Letter
Boos!Letter: Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights: Tips for survival
Boos!Letter: How Knott’s Scary Farm is celebrating its 50th anniversary
Boos!Letter: Halloween Horror Nights and Oogie Boogie Bash launch next week
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