Halloween Fun in Ferndale
(Crystal A. Proxmire, 10/11/2011)
Ferndale merchants are preparing for the Halloween season, with traditional spooky-themed costumes, decorations, candies and foods in preparation for Halloween, Day of the Dead, and the changing of the seasons in general.
On October 17 The Candle Wick Shoppe will host a Folk Magic Meet-up and Day of the Dead celebration. “Dia de los Muertos is the Mexican, or more accurately the Aztec, celebration of the dead. Traditionally families would picnic at the cemeteries with their ancestor’s favorite food, wine, bright colors and lots of celebration. Children would play among the headstones with the garish skeletons to celebrate life and dissipate the fear of death,” says the event page. The class is $5 and will teach the traditional aspects of building an Offrenda, offer a special Santa Muerte candle and have an early celebration. For more information follow Candle Wick Shoppe on Facebook.
Autumn is a great time for the Eastside to shine, especially as businesses along Hilton come together with the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce, Ferndale Recreation and Angel Kisses for the Hilton Fall Festival on October 22. This year’s festival is headlined by Garden Fresh Salsa, who is helping to underwrite the effort.
Hilton will be blocked off, and from 10 am to 6 pm along Hilton Road between I-696 & Lewiston, there will be carnival games, face painting, hayrides, pony rides, a costume contest, trick-or-treating, concession sales, an arts & crafts fair, rock climbing wall and more. In addition, the event will kick off with a 5k race along Hilton Road to benefit Angel Kisses. For more information see our previous article.
On October 25 beginning at 9pm is the Zombie Dance Party at The Loving Touch. Co-hosts Creepy Carey and Awesome Dave Lawson will keep your feet shuffling with special guest DJ W-Vibe founder Dan Augustine!! There will be living, breathing performances by The Beggars & “The Monks,” monster makeovers, Creepy Caricatures, and free pool.
On Wednesday, October 26 Rosie O’ Grady’s and Cantina Diablos will host their Scaring 4 Caring Scarecrow Contest to raise money for local charities. Ferndale Youth Assistance, Cass Community, Michigan AIDS Coalition, Ferndale Community Foundation and FernCare will all benefit from monies donated into the jars of people’s favorite scarecrows. The festivities go from 5pm to close, with live music by Terry Stevenson, a caramel apple station, apple cider drinks and more. (Read about last year’s scare crow contest here).
Ferndale Public Library is gearing up for a Halloween Spooktacular on Friday, October 28th, and they’re inviting kids of all ages to join in the fun! Dan the Creature Man will bring creepy-crawly critters for kids to see and there will be plenty of treats, activities and tricks to satisfy any ghoul. Costumes are encouraged. The event is free, but registration is required. Families may drop in anytime between 6:30-8 pm. Stop by the library’s Youth Reference Desk or call 248-546-2504. Registration ends Monday, Oct. 24.
Downtown Ferndale Trick or Treating will be held on October 29 from 4-7 pm. Youngsters in costume will be able to enjoy treats and prizes from many Downtown Ferndale merchants. The Rust Belt Market (22801 Woodward) will have all 60 of their vendors passing out candy and a best costume contest for the kids with the winner getting a free caricature done of them in their costume. At the same time they will be having a costume contest for dogs with the winning dog getting some home-made dog treats.
Go Comedy! Improv Theater has got a case of Stage Fright this month with its latest original comedy, Stage Fright playing at 10pm Thursday evenings with special performances October 28 & 29. Stage Fright is a haunting farce, a show within a show. What begins as a well-meaning community theatre production of Dracula, ends in the end of the world. Watch as the cast and stage manager do everything they can to keep their show together as the world around them falls to pieces. It features Jennifer Bloomer, Dan Brittain James Quesada, Michelle Giorlando, Carrie Hall, Brian Papandrea, Erik Heilner, and Chris Petersen. Tickets ($5-$15) and more information are available at www.gocomedy.net.
Merchants prepare for these annual traditions by finding unique seasonal items for their customers.
Western Market (447 W 9 Mile) has plenty of Treats Without the Tricks, and if you go to their website there’s a coupon for $3 off your pumpkin,
Dollar Castle (200 W. 9 Mile) has a whole section of Halloween accessories, decorations, pumpkin carving supplies, and more. Mother Fletcher’s (210 W. 9 Mile) is home to many vintage outfits, some intended to be worn as costume and others that are truly period pieces. They also have plenty of hats, wigs, costume jewelry and fun accessories.
The Woodward Avenue Candy Shop (23337 Woodward) is all stocked up on your seasonal favorites, and The Emory (22700 Woodward) has autumn adult beverages like Ayinger Oktoberfest- Marzen Authentic Bavarian Lager and Short’s Brew Autumn Ale. 
Woodward Avenue Brewers (WAB) (22646 Woodward) has Pumpkin Ale is on tap and they have teamed up with local ice cream shop Treat Dreams (22965 Woodward) to serve Ginger Snap Pumpkin Ale ice cream as the custom flavor of the month.
If you know of other Ferndale Halloween events that we should include, please email editor@ferndale115.com.
