With “Halloweekend” creeping up fast, it is officially time to fill your calendar with something spooky. Fortunately, KCPR has compiled a list of spine-chilling and cozy activities to explore in the area.
The Haunt in Atascadero
The Haunt, a fully immersive haunted house, has returned to San Luis Obispo County to celebrate its 10th anniversary. This interactive experience dives deeper into the realm of terror, drawing inspiration from Mary Shelley’s gothic tale “Frankenstein.” If dark rooms and dreadful sights sound appealing to you, then you may want to consider the trip.
Owner and Lead Engineer of The Haunt, Chris Towers, said that his team of volunteer builders and actors have made this haunted house as scary as possible for everyone who enters.
“We do everything we can to make sure you don’t feel like you’re in a building anymore,” Towers said. “Stuff comes at you from every direction.”
Each room in The Haunt is unlike the rest, ensuring that attendees receive something newly exciting and frightening in every corner. In between the moments of fear, the amount of detail and tinkering can easily be seen within the space.
Tickets are $18 but can be knocked down to $16 for groups of four or more.
Palm Theatre Halloween programming
As the fall season takes over, your cravings for horror films may be feeling more intense. Whether you hope to jump out of your seat like a jack-in-the-box or catch up on cult classics, the Palm Theatre has San Luis Obispo covered. The iconic staple of downtown has rolled out its spooky lineup of movie showings for October.
SLO Film Center Executive Director Skye McLennan said when it came to the programming, they wanted to make sure to get Halloween-themed films that were for everyone. So if slasher films such as “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” are not calling your name, the timeless “Hocus Pocus” just might.
McLennan said the Halloween season is a crucial time for the Palm.
“The horror genre, in general, has gained a lot of momentum and [it’s] one of the things that’s really sustaining a lot of movie theaters because I think they are just really fun films to see with an audience at a theater,” McLennan said. “It really is a big season for us.”
Cambria Scarecrow Festival
About 30 miles north of Cal Poly’s campus, more than 400 scarecrows line the streets of Cambria. Members of the legendary rock band Kiss have made an appearance in the city alongside witches, mermaids and even webslinger Miles Morales.
The festival began in 2009 with 30 scarecrows scattered across town. Now, this artistic spirit spreads across San Simeon as well.
Local businesses typically sponsor artists to showcase their scarecrows at storefronts, but some owners like to get creative and take matters into their own hands.
Cyndi and Bill Wittmeyer, owners of the tea boutique “Verde of Cambria,” have been operating their business and participating in the festival for 13 years.
“All of our creations are whimsical and magical. We go into the realm of fairies and elves and gnomes, and everything is going to have that kind of feeling,” Cyndi said. “The children love it, we love it, everyone feels that magic.”
During your visit, you can go to the official Cambria Scarecrow Festival’s website to vote for your favorite straw figure.
Rocky Horror Picture Show at SLO Brew
SLOQueerdos is back at it again this year with their annual performances of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Halloween and Nov. 1. The drag show is chaotic and amusing, with queens in their fishnets reenacting scenes from the movie while it plays on a backdrop.
The antics do not stop once the movie is over though, as there will be a costume dance party with a live DJ after the Halloween showing, according to SLO Brew’s Instagram.
This event typically creates a buzz in the community when it approaches and SLO Brew said in an Instagram post that it is one of their favorite events of the year.
Tickets cost $25 and you must be 18 years or older to get in.
Humdinger Halloween Costume Party with the Mismiths
If you have ever wanted to sing your heart out to the Misfits and The Smiths on the same night, the mashup tribute band, “The Mismiths” has a solution. The band has traveled across the country from coast to coast and will make a stop in Arroyo Grande at Humdinger Brewery on the eve of their favorite day: Halloween.
The gothic rock band will mainly deliver covers from the bands they pay tribute to, but also perform some original songs from their 2020 album “Every Night Is Like Halloween.”
The group is known for their signature skeleton-painted faces and high energy, which is sure to provide for the leather-wearing punk-rockers out there.
Not only will music be played, but attendees can join in on the action for a Halloween costume party with prizes on the line; the scariest and most creative attire receiving exclusive gifts.
Brookshire Farms Pumpkin Patch
Of course, there’s always room for a classic pumpkin patch date to spend quality time with friends, loved ones or even some much-needed solo time.
Brookshire Farms, located at 4747 Los Osos Valley Road, has everything a farm can offer for the fall season with a pumpkin patch, harvest shopping, hay rides and more. It costs $15 to enter Tuesday-Friday and $22 on Saturday and Sunday.
Brookshire also has a giant corn maze to conquer or get lost in. The maze stays open till 10 p.m. this month each Friday and Saturday to make the atmosphere more eerie, just make sure you bring a flashlight and extra courage.
