By Rachel Galvin

Halloween is just around the corner, which means it is time to get a costume. Wondering which one to choose? You may want to take a peek into Deerfield’s Costume World. Begun originally more than 40 years ago, this entity not only has costumes to sell, but also to rent. In fact, they are the largest distributor of costumes in the United States. If you have seen a theatrical performance, there is a good chance that the costumes within it came from Costume World. Owner Marilyn Wick also runs the Wick Theatre in Boca Raton so is using many of the costumes for her own actors and actresses.

As far as the retail store, they have a large selection of theatrical makeup, wigs, costumes for adults and kids and more.

When asked what is popular this year, Jadeane Deems, who is in charge of the theatrical division, said “Being that it is an election year, Trump and Hillary masks are popular. People follow what’s hot in movies and TV. Suicide Squad is a big deal. It is the 50th anniversary of Star Trek [so character costumes are popular]. Pikachu is huge again [thanks to Pokemon Go]. Star Wars is big. Pirates never go out of style. Pirates of the Caribbean brought it to the forefront.”

Ready to get your costume? Costume World is located at 950 S. Federal Hwy. in Deerfield Beach. They are open seven days a week from 10 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. They may be extending their hours until 9 p.m. soon. For more information, call 954-418-0308 or visit www.costumeworld.com. In addition to the store here, they also have retail stores in Pittsburgh and Dallas.

Haunted House

Fridays & Saturdays, Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29, 7 to 11 p.m.

Sample McDougald House

450 NE 10 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Children 18 and under-$10, Adults-$20. Proceeds go to scholarships for local students and charities. For more information, visit www.Rotary-Haunted-House.com. ($15 for adults when purchased online).

12th Annual Shriek Week

Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.,

Special “Lite Nite,” Thursday, Oct. 27, 5 to 9 p.m.

Sugar Sand Park

300 S. Military Tr.

Boca Raton, FL 33486

Appropriate for ages 7-12. “Lite Nite” for ages 5-12 (less intense version of the haunted house). Tickets: $8 per person. Reservations required can be booked in person, online, or by calling 561-347-3948. For information, visit www.Sugar-SandPark.org or call the Community Center at 561-347-3900.

8th Annual Halloween Fair & Horse Show

Saturday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sand & Spurs Equestrian Park

1600 NE 5 Ave.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Pony rides, carnival games, bounce house, face painting, pumpkin patch, hay rides, fire trucks, arts & crafts, hand-crafted jewelry, “Pet Communicator” (bring your pet or a picture) and more. Pets must be on a leash. 12:30 p.m. costume contest on horseback. 1:30 p.m. public costume parade on foot. All ages. No registration needed. Meet at bleachers. For more information, visit www.pompanobeachfl.gov.

Annual Trunk or Treat

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 6:30 to 8 p.m

Trinity United Methodist Church.

3901 NE 22 Ave.

Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Free. Children should dress in non-scary costumes and must be accompanied by an adult. Hot dogs, snacks and drinks avail-able for purchase (proceeds benefit the church and its ministries.) Those who would like to decorate their trunks and pass out treats to the kids should call 954-941-8033.

Magician Michael Winters performs

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m.

Percy White Library

837 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Halloween family fun for children of all ages (especially preschool aged and their parents/guardians).

Annual Halloween Hoe-Down

Thursday, Oct. 27, 6 to 9 p.m.

Villages of Hillsboro Park

4111 NW 6 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Creepy costume contests, pie eating and pumpkin carving contests and petting zoo. Free entry. Enjoy hayrides and a pumpkin patch. Refreshments available for purchase. For more information, call 954-480-4494.

Boo Bash

Friday, Oct. 28, 6 to 9 p.m.

Community Park

820 NE 18 Ave.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Carnival games, stage performers, DJ music and dancing, haunted bus, amazing inflatables, ghostly games and more. Dress in your best costume for pumpkin patch costume contest. Free, family-friendly event. For more information, call 954-786-4111.

Annual Fall Festival

Friday, Oct. 28, 5:30 to 9 p.m.

First Baptist Church

701 NE 2 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Hayride, bounce house, petting zoo, face painting, dunk tank, rock wall, candy bags for kids, popcorn, hotdogs, ice cream floats and much more. Free event. Call 954-427-1216 or visit www.deerfieldfirst.com.

Trunk-or-Treat

Friday, Oct. 28, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Quiet Waters Park

Shelter #10 Parking Lot

401 S. Powerline Rd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Participants are invited to dress up their cars and themselves. $2 fee for reserved parking spot, car costume contest, bounce house, candy giveaway and Halloween-themed movie. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 954-357-5100.

Halloween Festivities

Saturday, Oct. 29, 6 to 8 p.m.

Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex  

445 SW 2 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Activities will include the Silly Magic Stage Show, balloon twisters, bounce houses, a costume contest, haystack candy find, arts & crafts, Halloween games and music by Extra, Extra Entertainment. Free entry. For more information, call 954-480-4481.

Halloween Harvest

Sunday, Oct. 30, 10 am to 2 p.m.

Butler House

380 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Candy, costumes and cornstalks. Fee: donation. 954-429-0378 or visit www.deerfield-history.org.

Annual Halloween Monster Concert

Sunday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Pompano Beach

2331 NE 26 Ave.

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Listen to terrifying toccatas and haunting harmonies on the great pipe organ accompanied by spectacular lumonics/laser display and featuring the Fabulous Follies Florida Show girls. Audience costumes encouraged. $10 suggested donation/kids free. 954-941-2308.

Halloween Bash

Monday, Oct. 31, 5 to 7 p.m.

Pompano Citi Centre

1955 N. Federal Hwy.

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Children 10 and under are invited to come dressed in their best costumes to enjoy Trick-or-Treating at participating stores at 5 pm. and enjoy a magical Wizard Show at 6 pm. The first 1,500 Trick-or-Treaters will receive complimentary candy bags handed out at the Pompano Citi Centre table. Adult supervision required. Admission is free. Ride the carousel during event for $1. For more information, visit www.pompanociticentre.com or call 954-943-4683.

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Given that Halloween falls on Saturday this year, this will be a big weekend for Trick or Treaters. While this weekend seems devoid of movies featuring Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi or Lon Chaney Jr., AMC is bringing back modern classics from the past four decades, including Halloween, Friday the 13th and Chucky incarnations. Only the Hallmark Channel’s Good Witch movies and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown seem to be geared towards family viewing.

Goosebumps has been successful at the current box office because it works as a family motion picture. Based on author R.L. Stine’s series of children’s books, Goosebumps provides plenty of jump scares mixed with humor and teenage character growth.

Dylan Minnette portrays Zach, a new kid on the block who recently lost his dad. His sidekick is Champ (Ryan Lee), who is often nicknamed “Chump” because he is such a goofball. The two befriend Hannah (Odeya Rush), whose weird father speaks with an accent that sounds like a mixture of Alfred Hitchcock and Basil Rathbone. Hannah’s father harbors a secret; he is R.L. Stine (Jack Black) and he has created an army of monsters through his literary creations.

Goosebumps is fun, much like the film Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein. While Jack Black is over-the-top (Black also voices “Invisible Boy” & “Slappy,” the mastermind ventriloquist’s dummy), Ryan Lee steals the show as a scaredy cat.

Crimson Peak, a Gothic romance with ghostly overtones, is not family fare. After losing her mother when she was a child, Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) believes in ghosts. Ghosts repeatedly warn her to “Beware of Crimson Peak,” but Edith does not comprehend their meaning.

Enter Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleson) and his serious sister, Lucille (Jessica Chastain), two English aristocrats in need of American finance. When tragedy strikes her father, Edith goes to live in England in the Sharpe’s mansion, which is sinking into the red clay of the land.

Written and directed by Guillermo Del Toro, Crimson Peak is similar to his previous productions, The Devil’s Backbone, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark and The Orphanage. Sadly, the narrative of Crimson Peak bogs down with dullness, despite some good performances by the stellar cast and some eye-catching cinematography that will be studied by artists for many years to come.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Note: Dates and times are subject to change. Call venue to confirm.

Carn Evil Haunted Mansion

Friday and Saturday nights, 7 to 11 p.m.

Oct. 23 & 24, Oct 30 & 31

Sample McDougald House

450 NE 10 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33061

$10 per child under 18, $20 adults. Presented by the Rotary Club of Pompano Beach. Proceeds benefit local charities and scholarships. Free parking at the Elks Club next door. No high heels or spikes permitted. Visit www.pompanobeachrotary.com.

Haunted House

Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24

Sugar Sand Park

300 S. Military Tr. Boca Raton, FL 33486

Ages 7 to 12. Lite nite on Oct. 22 offers less intense experience for ages 5-12. $6 per person in advance. $8 per person after Oct 4. Tickets at 561-347-3948 or www.sugarsandpark.org/shriek-week.

Boo Bash

Friday, Oct. 23, 6 to 9 p.m.

Pompano Community Park

850 NE 18 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Join us for a spooktacular time at this year’s Boo Bash! Carnival games, un-boo-lievable stage performers, DJ music and dancing, haunted bus and more! Costume contest! Call 954-786-4111.

7th Annual Halloween Fair & Horse Show

Saturday Oct. 24, noon to 2:30 p.m.

Sand & Spurs Equestrian Park

1600 NE 5 Ave. Pompano Beach FL 33060

12:30 p.m. – Horse & Rider Costume Contest on Horseback/

1:30 p.m. – Public Costume Parade. $3 pony rides, $1-$2 games, $1 bounce house, $3 face painting, $2 pumpkin patch, food for purchase, pet communicator/whisperer (bring your leashed pet or a picture), hay rides. Some proceeds benefit U Can Ride Therapeutic Sessions. Visit www.ucanride.org or call 954-786-4133.

Howl-o-Ween Pet Party

Saturday, Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pet Supermarket

55 S. Federal Hwy. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Free treat giveaways. Pet costume contest, register from 1:30 to 1:55 p.m., contest starts at 2 p.m. Win a $25 gift card. Drawings for a one-year supply of free pet food. Call 954-427-1290.

Magic Show by Magician Mike Winters

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m.

Percy White Library

837 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Free. Celebrate Halloween with a bit of magic! Magician Mike Winters presents fun illusions for the whole family. Call 954-357-7680

Family Halloween Hoe-Down

Thursday, Oct. 29, 6 to 9 p.m.

Villages of Hillsboro Park

4111 NW 6th Street Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Halloween games and fun, including pumpkin carving, costume contest, horse-drawn hayride, petting zoo, pumpkin patch and more.

Halloween event

Thursday, Oct. 29, 6 to 8 p.m.

Dan Witt Park

3035 NE 31 Ave. Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Ages 12 and under. Costume contest, bounce house, rides & more.

Halloween Party

Friday, Oct. 30, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

NE Focal Point

227 NW 2 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Guest DJ “KJ” spinning spooky hits. Light refreshments, costume contest, best dressed walker. Call Tamara Sutton, 954-480-4447.

Fall Festival

Friday, Oct. 30, 5:30 to 9 p.m.

First Baptist Church

701 NE 2 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Hayride, Despicable Me bounce house, petting zoo, face painting, dunk tank, rock wall, bungee bounce, arts & crafts, candy bags, cake walk, hot dogs, chili contest and more. Visit www.deerfieldfirst.com.

Trunk or Treat

Friday, Oct. 30, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

St. Ambrose Catholic Church

380 S. Federal Hwy. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Decorate your car for Halloween. All trunks must be in school parking lot by 6 p.m. Sign up at www.signupgenius.com, or call 954-427-2225. Remember, they also have a pumpkin patch (while supplies last)!

Not-so-Spooky Halloween Bash

Saturday, Oct. 31, 5 to 8 p.m.

Pompano City Centre

1955 N. Federal Hwy. Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Witch Anna and the Wizard show! Entertainment, games, prizes, trick or treat, and more. Call 954-943-4683 or visit www.pompanocitycentre.com.

Halloween festivities

Saturday, Oct. 31, 1 to 3 p.m.

Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex

445 SW 2 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Halloween carnival complete with prizes, treats, games and costume contest.

Fall Festival

Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tradewinds Park and Stables

3600 W. Sample Rd. Coconut Creek, FL 33073

Fees vary by activity. Entrance fee in effect. Fall games and crafts, hayrides, food trucks, model steam train rides, farm tours and demos, barn tours and bounce houses. Proceeds benefit the Retirement Pasture, providing a home for horses. Call 954-357-8870.

Cookbooks Galore

Through Oct. 31, during library hours

Percy White Library 837 E. Hillsboro Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Friends of the Library has over 350 cookbooks to choose from. Call 954-357-7680.

Food Truck Invasion

Thursday, Oct. 15, 5 to 9 p.m.

Quiet Waters Park 401 S. Powerline Rd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Great food by regional chefs is featured at this huge outdoor picnic where food trucks of different origins, cuisine and menus prepare food that is cooked to order.

1st Annual Women in Deerfield Expo

Thursday, Oct. 15, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Royal Fiesta Caterers 1680 SE 3 Court Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Showcase of Deerfield Beach’s woman-owned businesses. Chamber members: $15, non-members: $25. www.deerfieldchamber.com.

Pre-Teen Dance Party

Friday, Oct. 16, 7 to 10 p.m.

Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex 445 SW 2 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Hip Hop. Ages 10-12. Free refreshments. $3 per person. Call 954-480-4481.

Model Train Swap Meet and Flea Market

Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex 445 SW 2 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

$2 adults, $1 children. 561-441-6952.

International Fellowship Dinner

Saturday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.

St. Peter’s Anglican Church 1416 SE 2 Terr. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Food from 13 countries. Reservations: 954-695-0336

DB Zonta Club meets

Tuesday, Oct. 20, begins 11:45 a.m.

Duffy’s 401 N. Fed. Hwy. Deerfield Beach, 33441

Must RSVP — 561-368-2653.

Think Pink Fundraiser

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6 to 8 p.m.

Lighthouse Point Yacht & Racquet Club 2701 NE 42 St. Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Free. Raffle prizes, food, drinks and more. RSVP required at lhpchamberoffice@gmail.com.

Save the date: Family Hayride and Campfire

Friday, Oct. 23, 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Quite Waters Park 401 S. Powerline Rd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

$3.50 per person. Enjoy a hayride around the park and a marshmallow roast to make S’mores. Advance tickets required, call 954-357-5100.

——–HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS——–

Carn Evil Haunted Mansion

Friday and Saturday nights, 7 to 11 p.m.

Oct. 16 & 17, Oct. 23 & 24, Oct 30 & 31

Sample McDougald House 450 NE 10 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33061

$10 per child under 18, $20 adults. Presented by the Rotary Club of Pompano Beach. Proceeds benefit local charities and scholarships. Free parking at the Elks Club next door. No high heels or spikes permitted.

1st Annual Fall Festival

Saturday, Oct. 17, 3 to 7 p.m.

Pioneer Park 501 NE Eller St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Free. Includes pumpkin patch, hay maze, corn eating contest, kids crafts, petting zoo, face painting, hay rides, wagon party and live music. Call 954-480-4429.

Halloween Pet Adoption and Blood Drive

Sunday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Toyota of Deerfield Beach 1441 S. Federal Hwy. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Numerous rescue groups bringing dogs of all kinds. Meet your new best friend for life! Dog and owner costume contest. Kids costume contest. Food, Halloween treats, prizes and more. Blood drive.

Halloween Tea at The Pink Church

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church 2331 NE 26 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33062

$10 per person. Spectacularly spooky menu! RSVP to 954-941-7501 ext. 154 or email nkenny@thepinkchurch.org.

7th Annual Halloween Fair & Horse Show

Saturday, Oct. 24, begins at 10 a.m.

Sand & Spurs Equestrian Park 1600 NE 5 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Kid friendly. $1, free under age 10. 12:30 p.m. – Horse & Rider Costume Contest on Horseback; 1:30 p.m. – Public Costume Parade (all ages, no registration); $3 Pony Rides, $1-$2 Games, $1 Bounce House, $3 Face Painting, $2 Pumpkin Patch; Pet Communicator/Whisperer; bring your pet (all pets must be on a leash) for a picture; hay rides; food. Some proceeds benefit U Can Ride Therapeutic Sessions (www.ucanride.org). 954-786-4133.

Save the date:

• Oct 24: Howl-o-Ween Pet Party, Pet Supermarket, 55 S. Federal Hwy., Deerfield Beach. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Treats, costume contest, gift card drawings. Call 954-427-1290.

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Though he has been gone 21 years ago this Halloween Season, Vincent Price makes a return to the big screen in The Last Man on Earth Halloween night at Cinema Paradiso.

While the film begins at 9 p.m., “Happy Hour” begins at 8 p.m. when Michelle Fresita’s signature “Vampire Wine,” “Bloody Marys” and succulent chocolates will be served. The evening will also feature a costume contest and prizes include: annual memberships for Cinema Paradiso, Fright Asylum coffee mugs, autographed copies of Davy Jones & the Heart of Darkness and The Querulous Nights of Athena Minerva.

A Vincent Price horror film is an appropriate way to kick off is what we hope will be an ongoing partnership between Fright Asylum and Cinema Paradiso, home of the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FliFF).

FLiFF honored Vincent Price in 1991 with a Lifetime Achievement Award, one year after the actor’s last screen appearance in Edward Scissorhands, starring Johnny Depp. Price also narrated the documentary The Devil’s Triangle, which explored the mysteries involving the missing ships and airplanes off the coast of Ft. Lauderdale. Like many a conspiracy, this documentary seems to have disappeared from public consumption, but has resurfaced in four parts on YouTube.

Vincent Price has remained a cultural figure in popular culture. His voice can be heard on Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the best selling album of all time. Seven years before Thriller, Price lent his voice to Alice Cooper’s first solo album, Welcome to My Nightmare. Price’s vocal tones have inspired many actors and actresses. At the recent Spooky Empire Convention, Pat Carroll discussed how Vincent Price influenced her reading of Madame Leota in The Haunted Mansion ride in Disneyworld.

By the time he did The Last Man on Earth, Vincent Price had been cementing his image as the new “King of Horror” for his work in William Castle movies (The Tingler, House on Haunted Hill) and his Edgar Allen Poe/Roger Corman series (The Masque of Red Death, The House of Usher, The Tomb of Ligeia). The Last Man on Earth will be celebrating its 50th anniversary screening Halloween night.

The Last Man on Earth is based on Richard Matheson’s horror fiction novel I Am Legend. His book was adapted for film twice more as The Omega Man (1971) with Charlton Heston in the Vincent Price role and, most recently, as I Am Legend (2007) with Will Smith. Of the three films, the Vincent Price version has been the most influential.

While attending Carnegie Mellon University, George Romero talked with two of his Pittsburgh friends, John Russo and Gary Streiner about directing a movie that “… had a taste for the bizarre.” The film was Night of the Living Dead, which begat the current zombie-craze currently fueled by AMC Television series The Walking Dead. Romero has long admitted that The Last Man on Earth was a direct influence on his work.

Despite portraying despicable villains and cultural maniacs, the real Vincent Price was a dedicated professional and likeable movie star who always had time for his fans. One month before his passing in 1993, I received a letter that just might be Vincent Price’s last autograph. Fright Asylum and I are honored to return Vincent Price to the Big Screen this Halloween night at Cinema Paradiso. (For more information, visit www.fliff.com/Film/1798/Fright_Asylum_Halloween_Special

Cinema Dave had a response from Vincent Price himself!

Dry Ice and Co2 Available for your Halloween Needs!  Deerfield Beach Fire Equipment is the “real deal” for Dry Ice and CO2.  They have been supplying all of the big parties for years.