THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 20, 1995 TAG: 9510190146
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHRISTINE M. POINTS, VIRGINIAN-PILOT, STAFF
LENGTH: Long : 133 lines
HALLOWEEN JUST wouldn't be Halloween without those ``ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night.''
And to that end, Ports Events and the city of Portsmouth are hosting ``A Very Special Halloween'' from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 28 in the Children's Museum of Virginia Parking Garage on County Street.
``Special Halloween'' incorporates a haunted house atmosphere with puppet shows, music and activities designed to accommodate children with disabilities, but it is A special A special en to all children, said Linda Lamm, executive director of Ports Events.
``Special Halloween'' was brought to life by Ports Events three years ago when they were trying to fill a hole in their entertainment calendar.
``We were trying to add a little more variety to the calendar,'' Lamm said.
``We had sports, and the Seawall Festival is a family event. When we started talking about Halloween, we realized that everyone had (a Halloween celebration), and we wanted to make ours special,'' she said.
They contacted the agencies that deal with children with special needs and developed ``The Very Special Halloween.'' Each agency contributes its own activity or show.
The first year was planned as an outdoor event and was canceled by rain.
``We moved the event to the parking garage, which worked out very well. It's large, softly lit, and a little spooky,'' Lamm said. ``Also it provides plenty of parking on the upper two levels and has an elevator to accommodate children with wheelchairs.''
The garage will be decorated with spider webs, plastic skeletons, bats, pumpkins and tombstones.
``We want to make the garage as spooky as possible,'' said Sharon Barnes, who along with Sue Fielding, coordinates the volunteer decorating committee.
As children enter the decorated garage, they will receive a trick-or-treat bag they can use to collect toys and candies from each station.
Children will be able to enjoy a variety of performances including a demonstration from the Warwick High School Dance Team, a puppet show from Kids on the Block and music.
Special guests will include Crime Busters, DARE Bear, the Khedive Temple Shrine Clown Unit, Mounted Patrol, Party Animals and Sparky the Fire Dog.
Activities will range from a haystack hunt, bean bag tosses and a marshmallow hang to pumpkin decorating, mask making and ghost stories.
The activities will be presented by CANDII Children's AIDS Network, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters Elizabeth River Circle, Children's Museum of Virginia, DAC, The Easter Seal Society and Edmarc;
Also, the Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities, Portsmouth Fire Department, Portsmouth Parks and Recreations, Portsmouth Police Department and Portsmouth Sheriff's Office;
And the Portsmouth YMCA, Sentara Health System, Tidewater Down Syndrome Association, United Methodist Family Services, Virginia Association of the Blind and Virginia Zoo Docents. MEMO: HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS
COLEMAN'S HAUNTED HOUSE: Coleman Nursery, 4934 High St. W., has
turned its country store into a Halloween Haunted House. Open daily from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Halloween for a small donation. Children will
receive a free Halloween treat. Call 484-3426 for information.
A VERY SPECIAL HALLOWEEN: A party for children with special needs
will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 28 in the Children's Museum of
Virginia Parking Garage in the 300 block of County St. All activities
are designed to accommodate children with disabilities.
``A Very Special Halloween'' will include cardboard box tunnels,
ghost stories, mask-making, pumpkin decorating, miniature golf, a spooky
tent, tricks or treats, face and hand painting, games and a haystack
hunt.
Special guests will include DARE Bear, Sparky the Fire Dog, Kids on
the Block Puppet Show, the Mounted Patrol and Party Animals.
For information, call 393-9933.
FREE GOTHIC ORGAN CONCERT: Trinity Episcopal Church, High and Court
streets, will host a candlelight Gothic organ concert for Ghost Walk
participants at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Oct. 27. Call 393-0431 for information.
FALL FOLIAGE TOUR: Harbor Tours will present a Great Dismal Swamp
Cruise to view the fall foliage on Oct. 28 and again on Oct. 29.
The Carrie B will cruise down the Chesapeake-Albemarle Canal and will
arrive in Elizabeth City at approximately 5:30 p.m.
A motorcoach, included in the $79 cost of the trip, will bring
participants back to Portsmouth. Also included in the cost is a
continental breakfast and a Southern buffet lunch.
The tour will depart at 7 a.m. and return at 7 p.m. Contact Harbor
Tours at 393-4735 for information.
RECREATION CENTER FESTIVITIES: Area recreation centers will be
holding Halloween celebrations throughout the week prior to Halloween.
Children attending the festivities must have a ticket and a permission
slip to participate.
For information on the events, call the following: Cavalier Manor at
558-2805, J.E. Parker at 393-8340, Neighborhood Facility at 393-8595,
Hi-Landers at 558-2800, Cradock at 393-8785, Port Norfolk at 393-8709,
Jeffry Wilson Center at 393-8839.
HALLOWEEN AT THE LIBRARY: Spooky music and ghost stories will be part
of the costume party to be held at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in the children's
department of the main library, 601 Court St. Prizes will be awarded for
the best costumes. Call 393-8501 for information.
TRINITY FALL FEST: To coincide with the Olde Towne Ghost Walk,
Trinity Episcopal Church, 500 Court St., will hold its Fall Fest from 11
a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 27.
Handiwork, crafts, gourmet, Christmas decorations and baked goods
will be sold all day.
In addition, a homemade chicken salad plate, with apple cobbler and a
beverage, will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for $4.50.
Chili, barbecue, hot dogs and drinks will be sold from 5 to 8 p.m.
inside the parish hall.
For those who do not wish to lose their place in line for the Ghost
Walk, orders will be taken and delivered to people standing in line.
In addition, a concession stand with hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn
and drinks will be set up on King Street from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
MINI GHOST WALK: Children's Harbor, 700 London Blvd., will hold ``A
Not So Scary Place,'' a miniature ghost walk for children 2 1/2 to 10
years old from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27.
Activities will include games, story-telling, music, face painting,
and more. Cost for the event is $1. Call 397-2980 for information.
HAUNTED HOLES OF GOLF: ``Nine Haunted Holes of Night Light Golf,'' a
nighttime golf tournament benefiting the Salvation Army, will be played
at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at City Park.
Each player will receive one night light ball for the competition,
made up of two-man teams playing captain's choice. Each player is
limited to three clubs in addition to a putter.
The tournament will be post-flighted. Established handicaps are not
necessary. Refreshments, trophies, door prizes and a cookout are
planned.
There is a $25 donation to participate. Call Paul Forehand at
393-8481 for information. ILLUSTRATION: File photo by BETH BERGMAN
The graveyard at Trinity Episcopal Church is the setting for one of
the Ghost Walk stories.
by CNB