Ghost spook-en here
Many community-sponsored Halloween trick-or-treating opportunities, like Lincoln City’s Spooky Spectacular event held at Taft Elementary School, were set to vanish this year due to COVID-19.
Enter the Kiwanis Club of Lincoln City, who, in partnership with Lincoln City Outlets, have created a one-of-a-kind modification to this annual event: now dubbed the Spooky Spectacular Haunted Drive-Through. On Halloween night, Saturday, Oct. 31, families can creep through the lower deck of the mall parking garage through more than a dozen creepy scenes and enjoy socially distant trick or treating.
“Halloween will look a lot different this October than in years past for most kids,” said Kiwanis member Milt Johnson. “But we are committed to delivering a safe trick-or-treat Halloween night for the children of Lincoln City. Our members are busy gathering special effects, set pieces, clowns, ghosts and more to bring a creepy, fun, safe and socially-distanced Halloween event.”
Kiwanis member Geoff Peterson is in charge of decorations and costumes.
“So far, I’ve learned that smoke machines will indeed set off the smoke alarms at my house and that there is a dizzying array of Halloween items out there,” Peterson said. “I’m having the time of my life finding scary, fun things that will deliver some great surprises.”
Want to get into the spirit early and make the drive through look even more boo-tiful? On Thursday, Oct. 29, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm, pick up a free pumpkin at the Lincoln City Cultural Center and carve a fang-tastic creation at home, then drop it off on Halloween at the event site between 10 am and 2 pm; your creation will become part of the decor.
The event is sponsored in part by Explore Lincoln City grant funds originally meant for Pixiefest, another event fated to fall to the pandemic this year.
The Spooky Spectacular Haunted Drive-Through will run from 5 to 7:30 pm at 1500 SE East Devils Lake Road.
For more information, including a list of where to donate candy for the event, go to lincolncitykiwanis.org.