Cape Ann Halloween happenings

There's plenty of fun to scare up this Halloween weekend.

Trick-or-treating hours on Cape Ann are:

Gloucester: Saturday, no set hours.

Rockport: Saturday, no set hours. Police ask that children refrain from trick-or-treating at unlit homes.

Essex: 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Winthrop Street between Martin Street and Western Avenue, and Maple Street between Winthrop and Martin Street will be closed to vehicle traffic because of the number of children traveling the streets.

Manchester: 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday.

Haunted houses and balls

"The Haunted Tale of Red Eyes," presented by the Fishtown Horribles Parade Committee and Cape Ann YMCA, at Camp Spindrift, 67 Atlantic Ave., in West Gloucester, takes place tonight and tomorrow from 5 to 10 p.m. On Halloween, Saturday, the event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Hear the tale of Flying Eagle, the Indian chief of the Spindrift Tribe, and relive the horror that took place many moons ago. Hop aboard a train that will take you deep into the woods, and take a stroll through the haunted camp before walking through the never ending maze. The program for young children will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and the program for older children and adults will begin at 7 p.m. Hot dogs, beverages and other Halloween treats will be available. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 children.

Costume party: Tomorrow, members and guests of Cape Ann Lodge 1471 Loyal Order of Moose are invited to a Halloween costume party at the new lodge. The evening begins at 6 p.m., and will include a DJ, door prize, raffles and trivia. For information, call 978-290-6974.

The Castle Of The Damned!: Hammond Castle will once again serve as the atmospheric backdrop for the PG-13-rated Castle Of The Damned. Guests will take a guided tour through the historic castle and its grounds, and bear witness to nightmarish displays inspired by the works of author H.P. Lovecraft, Italian horror maestro Dario Argento, and Pastimes' own Dean Calusdian, director of the independent horror film "Tortured Hearts."

Dean and Pastimes' producers David and Paul Stickney re-teamed to design this year's Castle, which eschews traditional haunted house fare for bizarre images that will truly haunt those who brave the Castle's halls. "There are no people in sheets jumping out and yelling 'Boo!' " Dean said. "We want people to be afraid to go to sleep for the rest of their lives."

The Castle of the Damned is open tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday from 7 to 11 each night (ticket gate closes at 10:45 p.m.). Admission is $15 for adults and seniors, $12 for students and members of the military (with ID), and $10 for children. Proceeds go to benefit the nonprofit Hammond Castle Museum. Parking is available at Stage Fort Park. Pastimes and Hammond Castle will provide a free "Shudder Shuttle" to carry visitors to the site from Stage Fort Park.

For more information, visit the Pastimes web site at www.pastimesentertainment.com or call Pastimes at 781-346-1028.

Plays

"Lizzie Borden & the 40 Whacks" will be presented at 1 this afternoon by The Delvena Theatre Company. This interactive performance will take place at the Rockport Council on Aging, 4 Broadway. Cost is $3. For reservations, call Diane at 978-546-2573.

"Willy Wonka Jr." will be presented at 7 p.m. today and tomorrow by Rockport Middle School in the John E. Lane auditorium, Jerden's Lane. General admission for this musical is $8, $6 for students and seniors.

Parties

Children's Halloween party. Parents are invited to bring children in costume to Rockport Public Library on Saturday for the parade at 1:30 p.m., rain or shine. Weather permitting, the parade will go around the block. In case of inclement weather, the parade will go throughout the library stacks. After the parade, folksinger and storyteller Tim Van Egmond will join the party in the Brenner Friends Room at 2 p.m. Free.

Haunted Halloween Bash will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Sandy Bay Stables. The potluck evening is open to all farm members, friends, neighbors and associates. Costumes and reservations are required. Visit www.sandybaystables.com or contact Krissie Burnham at 978-546-5925 or KrissieBurnham@aol.com.

Music

"Werewolves of London": The late Warren Zevon's music, life and times will be celebrated at 8 tomorrow night at Blackburn Performing Arts at 1 Washington St.

A who's who of North Shore musicians will bring their voices and instruments to pay tribute to Zevon's amazing collection of literate, satirical, macabre, hysterical, romantic, and just plain great legacy of songs.

Along with Halloween-friendly tunes such as "Roland," "The Headless Thompson Gunner" and "Werewolves of London," the players are preparing hits and favorites spanning Warren's entire career.

As it's Halloween Eve, werewolves are welcome and costumes encouraged.

Admission is $10. Reservations can be made by calling the Blackburn Performing Arts at 978-281-0680.

For a list of all the musical entertainment on Cape Ann this Halloween weekend, see the Tunes on the Town.

Miscellaneous

Halloween stories: Tomorrow, TOHP Burnham Library, 30 Martin St., Essex will offer Halloween stories for children ages 3 and up, at 3:30 p.m.

Halloween mulch-down: On Saturday, volunteers are needed at the Essex Elementary School Playground at 9 a.m. to spread a layer of fresh mulch. Bring a rake and a friend and do your part to keep Eagles Nest a healthy place for kids to play. The mulch, along with coffee and treats, will be supplied. For more information, call Karin Carroll at 978-768-9043.

Andrea Holbrook may be contacted at 978-283-7000 x3456 or aholbrook@gloucestertimes.com.

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