There are almost too many Halloween parties to choose from in Charleston. Some sure-fire stand-outs include Vickery’s Wicked Little Halloween Party (see write-up below), the Saints ‘n’ Sinners party at aloft, Haunted Hollywood at Social, Pantheon’s $1000 prize party, and more. Check out the full listings here, and find your party, or hit them all! Here are just a few of our picks.
PARTY | Nightmare on Beaufain Street
Everyone who is anyone knows exactly where to head for some good old fashioned havoc on All Hallow’s Eve. If you don’t already know what’s going down, let me hit you with some knowledge: For 16 years now, Vickery’s Downtown has been one of Charleston’s favorite places to be on Halloween. It may be “little,” but talk about big prizes for the costume contest: $1000 for first, $500 for second, and $250 for third. That’s some serious loot just for dressing up. The costume contest is at 10 p.m. Party animals can dance the night away to some rocking tunes provided by DJ Moo Moo. City Paper’s Scott Suchy will be a judge in the costume contest and our own Hollie Anderson will serve as emcee. What else would you be doing? Trick or treating is so 2007. —Myles Hutto Fri., Oct. 31, 7 p.m.-2 a.m. $10. Vickery’s Bar and Grill, 15 Beaufain St., Charleston (Downtown), (843) 577-5300.
FRIGHT LIFE | PG-13 scares with Saw
Nothing says Halloween like a haunted house and hayride. Saturday night we headed out to Boone Hall Plantation, a.k.a. Saw’s Scream Farm, for their spin on the spooky tradition. You may have seen some of their commercials on prime-time TV — one was deemed too disturbing to be shown before 8 p.m. And that’s always a good sign. The folks at Boone Hall have kicked things up a notch this year, hiring a consultant who’s worked with Universal Studios to improve the attraction. The house has been split into two separate houses this year — with two separate price tags — but they’re so full of tight twists and turns they feel like the same size as last year’s single house. The hayride through the dark woods includes plenty of undead yokels prone to grab you through the railings, or — watch out — jump right on up and scare the bejeebus out of you. But beware: this haunted fun-land attracts hordes of shrieking high schoolers and a lot of lines. So get there early, bring a good attitude, and wear a pair of shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. And leave the little kids at home. —Erica Jackson Through Nov. 1. $8,boonehallplantation.com/calendar.php,
KIDS | Jump around
The panic over razor blades in apples may be a thing of the past, but trick or treating will never be like it was back in the old days. Parents uncomfortable with letting their kids run rampant, knocking on strangers’ doors, have an alternative in the Jump and Treat Indoor Festival at Ready Set Jump on James Island. The site, popular for birthday parties and other kids’ events, is full of inflatables, a giant slide, arcade games, an obstacle course, and a boxing arena. Kids aged 17 months to 8 years are invited to this Halloween party which includes games, snacks, a costume contest, and of course, a bag of candy at the end of the night. Hang out with your boils and ghouls, or drop them off and go do your own thing, knowing they’re safe in the hands of the staff at Ready Set Jump. —Erica Jackson Fri., Oct. 31, 5-9 p.m. $10/with parents, $20/drop-off, (843) 795-9133. Ready Set Jump, 792 Folly Road, (James Island).
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