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  Knotts Berry Farm Knotts Scary Farm is going on tonight in Knotts Berry Farm for the last time this year.

By Barbara McGuire

Daily Bruin Senior Staff Halloween is the only holiday that gives participants a Cinderella’s chance to don a completely new identity for just one night, before returning to reality the next day. Though many may claim that past the age of 13 it is completely immature to dress up and celebrate the holiday, in reality, Halloween is just about the only day that has corresponding activities that become better with age. No matter what age an individual reaches, the underlying myths of Halloween still have the potential to scare even the toughest non-believer. It’s hard to deny the fact that seeing a black cat on Halloween seems somewhat ominous and creepy. In light of this fact, the following are a few activities that are just part of the joy of being old enough to celebrate the holiday maturely.

West Hollywood “Halloween Carnival”

For those who don’t have a lot of money to spend on Halloween adventures, the West Hollywood-sponsored “Halloween Carnival” is the perfect place to go. Located on Santa Monica Boulevard, this event features music, contests and unlimited fun. Budweiser and LA Tribe as well as Kiis FM, Star 98.7, Mega 92 and KBIG 104 are co-sponsoring the evening. There’s only one recommendation: everyone attending should be in costume. Those who don’t dress up tend to feel very left out. “Halloween Carnival” is like a crazy, amazing and unique one-night art exhibit. Creativity is the flavor of the evening, as those celebrating the holiday parade up and down Santa Monica Boulevard showing off their costumes. The street is closed from 1 p.m., Oct 31, until 6:30 a.m. the next day, from La Cienega to Doheny. The streets are typically packed full of people, and multiple stages featuring various types of music from trance to hip-hop are provided. A main stage, the “Cross-Over Costume Stage,” located on the cross street of Huntley, offers a costume contest. Finals for the contest begin at 10 p.m. Margaret Cho is the honorary mayor of “Halloween Carnival,” and will be located at the San Vicente Stage. A “Disco Dance” stage will be featured on the cross street of Hilldale, with two others on La Pier and La Cinega. The only problem with this event is finding parking, though the City of West Hollywood promises to lift all permit parking restrictions from 5 p.m. on Oct. 31 to 7 a.m. the following morning. A party-goer’s best bet is to attempt to locate a spot in either one of the many parking structures on Santa Monica, or to find a spot in the surrounding residential areas and walk. For information call the City of West Hollywood at (323) 848-6503.

Knott’s Scary Farm’s “Halloween Haunt”

Filled with freaky mazes, transformed horror rides and bizarre shows, “Halloween Haunt” goes beyond just adding a Halloween splash to the park, Knott’s Scary Farm really takes guests into an alternate reality. Hosting its 28th annual “Halloween Haunt,” this year’s Knott’s is filled with 11 mazes, five “scare zones” and seven shows – all promising to convert the family theme park into “the scariest place on earth.” Over 1,000 ghouls, mutants, beasts and other horrifying creatures roam the park, scaring visitors by following them closely and jumping in front of them. “CarnEVIL” is a new zone, which holds true to its name. This zone is filled with horrific and frightening clowns, who aren’t always smiling. “Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns” features a special 3D section to increase the scare, in addition to its unprecedented maze decor. Brave souls who enter the maze are taken through a wide variety of mutated carnival rooms, ranging from an altered nursery to a neon paint-speckled black hole. The shows are equally entertaining. “Festival of Freaks” provides gruesome, stomach-clenching performances, while “The Crypt Keeper Presents ‘Tales From the Inquisition’” is full of laughs. While the park is completely transformed into a Halloween-themed arena, a few extreme rides are open for those who want to be thrilled. “Supreme Scream,” for example, a ride featuring a 30-story drop, is open till 12 midnight, as well as many others. Knott’s Scary Farm was the first park to ever transform itself into a Halloween scare, making the tickets no doubt worth the $35 presale, and $40 at the park. Tickets can be purchased at any Ticketmaster location or by calling (877) 858-7234 or (213) 365-3535.

“Maggie’s House of Horrors, Costume Ball”

Offering a night filled with some very non-traditional Halloween activities, “Maggie’s House of Horrors” is not actually a haunted house exhibit, but a rave taking place on Halloween night. The party features five full bars, five dance floors on four different levels and a special VIP “torture” area. It will be held at the Variety Arts Center located across the street from Staples Center. Close to 30 DJs will be spinning through the night, providing a wide variety of techno music. Jungle beats can be found on floor five with well-known DJ Shagee, while hard-core tunes will be located on floor four with DJs such as R.A.W. and Curious. Trance music can also be found here, and featured at the party are such well-known names as Juan Atkins, Jason Blakemore, Thee-O and Eli-Star. With a 2,500-capacity level, “Maggie’s House of Horrors” has definitely planned a night full of music that will keep participants awake. The Halloween event also features live performances from bands such as Ugly Duckling and The Shape Shifters. “Maggie’s House of Horrors” promises to not exclude those who don’t fully engage in the festivities by dressing up, but offers rewards for those who do. Those in costume do not have to wait in line and receive a special discount at the door.

Tickets are $15 presale and can be purchased through www.groovetickets.com or by calling (877) 71-GROOVE. Tickets are also available at the door of the Variety Arts Center at 940 S. Figueroa St in downtown Los Angeles. For information, call (310) 281-8110.

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