From spooky tours to frightfully fun festivals, Downtown West Palm Beach will offer a number of Halloween-inspired events during the month of October. Festivities include History of Mystery walking tours; Clematis by Fright; a ‘Spook-tacular’ Evening at the library; and the always popular and outrageous Moonfest, which attracts more than 40,000 people each year.
History of Mystery Tours
The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will kick off the spooky season with the launch of its History of Mystery walking tours. Led by a ghoulish guide, the 40-minute walking tours of Downtown West Palm Beach will intrigue guests with all the little-known and scarcely discussed tales that have transpired on Downtown’s historic streets. Spooky tales include the 1915 execution of local killer Shelby Wise; and the ghosts of “Whiskey Street,” now known as Banyan Street, which was once lined with saloons, gambling halls and houses of ill repute.
Tours will be held Thurs., Oct. 22, Fri., Oct. 23, Sat., Oct. 24, Thursday, Oct. 29 and Friday, Oct. 30; and are $5 for adults, and free for those 12 and under. Tours begin at 7:30 p.m. at O’Shea’s Irish Pub, located at 531 Clematis St., and will conclude at E.R. Bradley’s, located at 104 S. Clematis St. Both locations will serve up specialty Halloween-themed cocktails, so guests are encouraged to arrive early and stay late. Parking is available in the City’s new parking garage, located in the 500 block of Clematis Street, for just $1 for the first two hours. After the tour, guests can be transported back to their parking space via Downtown’s free “green” transportation system called HOP. Reservations are not required, but are recommended. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact the DDA at (561) 833-8873.
Clematis by Fright
Clematis by Fright, Downtown West Palm Beach’s annual Halloween celebration, offers a frighteningly fun evening for the entire family. Held Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Centennial Square, the free event will feature live music by one of Florida’s favorite party bands, The Fabulons, a costume contest for all ages, free candy for trick-or-treaters, and much more. A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Animal Rescue Force of South Florida. For more information, please call the City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division at (561) 822-1515 or visit www.clematisbynight.net.
‘Spook-tacular’ Evening at the West Palm Beach Public Library
The Friends of the West Palm Beach Public Library, in partnership with the DDA, also will celebrate Halloween with a ‘spook-tacular’ evening on Thursday, Oct. 29 starting at 6 p.m. Those ages 15 and older are invited to participate in So You Think You Can Tell A Ghost Story, where the audience along with a celebrity panel of judges including Mayor Lois Frankel will rate each five-minute presentation for a chance to win prizes for telling the best ghost story. Afterwards, guests are invited to stay for a DVD presentation of Ghosts and Other Creepy Things. Led by Dan Aykroyd and Peter Aykroyd, they will discuss the inspiration for Dan’s mega-hit movie, Ghostbusters, and will introduce viewers to famous mediums and the world of spiritualism. Guests are encouraged to don their favorite costume. The event is free for storytellers, $5 for Friends of the Library and $10 for the general public. For more information or to buy tickets, call (561) 355-3233 or visit www.friendswpblibrary.org.
Moonfest
Ghosts, goblins and witches will cook up a mischievous brew this year as the infamous and outrageous Halloween-themed street party, Moonfest, returns to the 300-500 blocks of Clematis Street on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event is free and open to the public, and has become South Florida’s largest Halloween festival, welcoming more than 40,000 guests for the freakishly fun festivities. The always-creepy costume contest for adults – a Moonfest mainstay – is back for another year, with cash and prizes valued up to $1,000. Moonfest also features live music from local bands; renowned live DJ’s spinning the latest tracks; a laser light show; a variety of merchants and street performers; and plenty of food and drink vendors. For more information about Moonfest, call (561) 667-1030 or visit www.moonfest.org.
