Preview of Week 4 (October 21-27)

The fourth week of Macabre Manistee County is here, filled with contests, haunted attractions, festivals, live music, opera, informative talks, cemetery tours and more!

Our Scary Story and Home Decorating contests continue! Get some ideas by reading last year's entries, available at the Manistee branch of the county library - or ask your local librarian for book suggestions!  Home Decorating entry forms are due by Friday, Oct. 19 Friday, Oct. 26 (winners to be announced Mon., Oct. 29).  See the tab above for the Entry Form, or for directions on how to enter by email.  Oh, prizes?  You could win $100 in cash from the Blue Hare Magic Company, a $25 gift certificate from Wahr Hardware or a $20 gift certificate from Northern Spirits Gift Shoppe!  Enter a deserving neighbor's home (you can haggle over the prize later)!

On Friday, drop by the Haunted Blood Donation Station (noon-6pm) before you head out for an evening of tricks and treats!   Your donation helps the community in two ways - it's a lifesaving decision and it aids 2-1-1, the county informational service.  

The Fear Forest haunted hay ride lasts from 6-10pm, plus singer-songwriter Josh White, Jr. is at the Ramsdell at 8pm.  While you're at the Ramsdell, stroll through Hardy Hall for the 40 top artworks featured in the West Michigan Juried Art Show.

Or choose music of a different variety - Vince Neil of Motley Crue plays Little River Casino Resort at 9pm on Friday.

The final weekends of Manistee's Ghost Ship (lasts through Saturday) and the Haunted Factory (lasts through Sunday) begin Friday night!  Catch them while you still can!  Yes, the Ghost Ship is open during road construction - just enter the work zone for "local traffic."  

Saturday's also a big day with Arcadia's Pumpkins & Haystacks Fall Festival, Manistee's Boos, Brews & Brats, open hours at Kaleva's Bottle House Museum, Spooky Astronomy activities and information, Verdi's Otello at the Ramsdell, and Halloween Fun for Young and Old presented by the Manistee Art Institute.  

Don't forget the Cemetery Walk (Saturday and Sunday)- filled with history, odd characters and stories you never knew about the area's prominent citizens!

Plus, music and costume contests stretch into the night - your choice of the entertainment tent at Boos, Brews & Brats (located at Manistee Inn & Marina) or the Hallow-Scream Party at the Eagles Club just a few blocks away.  There's so much to do, it's scary!