Ghosts, haunted houses & 'Thriller' flash mob: 10 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll, Cape Cod Times
·7 min read

How do you and your family want to spend the days leading up to Halloween? Getting scared at haunted houses? Learning more about ghosts, creepy figures from history, traditions of the holiday?

How about taking a ride with members of the spooky Addams family? Trick or treating? Or joining in on a zombie-like group dance to Michael Jackson's famed "Thriller"?

All those choices are available this weekend with 10 events to get people in the Halloween mood a little early. See what fits your curiosity and scare level:

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Learn about Halloween through the centuries

Boston author and historian Anthony Sammarco will give a talk on “Halloween Traditions in Boston” at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 at Osterville Village Library, 43 Wianno Ave. He’ll cover ancient rituals, the origin of trick or treat, little-known facts about the holiday, ghost stories and more. Those interested can attend in person or via Zoom, and registration is suggested for both; 508-428-5757, https://www.ostervillefreelibrary.org/.

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Ghosts nearby?

Tim Weisberg, host and executive producer of paranormal talk radio show Spooky Southcoast and writer/researcher/producer for TV’s “Ghost Stalkers,” “Ghost Asylum” and “Haunted Towns” will bring his knowledge to a talk at Cotuit Library. The “Ghosts of the Southcoast” discussion will include the spirits of British loyalists in Wareham's Fearing Tavern, “ghastly goings-on” at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast in Fall River and what's considered the Bridgewater Triangle paranormal vortex. The event, recommended for adults and teens, will take place form 4-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 at the library, 871 Main St.; $10; https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ghosts-of-the-southcoast-tickets-434020977427.

It’s more than just a simple haunted house

A collaboration between The Friends of Crosby Mansion, the Brewster Recreation Department and the Nauset High Players will create the first-ever Crosby Haunted Mansion in the historic home built in 1888. “Thrills and chills” are promised for ages 7 to 107 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29 as well as Thursday, Oct. 27 at the mansion, 163 Crosby Lane, Brewster. Tickets: $12. To make reservations: www.brewsterrecreation.com. Information: 508-896-1744. The groups will also host a Halloween Crafts and Game Day at the mansion from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Separate online reservation is required.

The Crosby Mansion in Brewster will be turned into a Haunted Mansion for two weekends to celebrate Halloween.
The Crosby Mansion in Brewster will be turned into a Haunted Mansion for two weekends to celebrate Halloween.

A haunted house or a haunted play

Justine Roderick, left, and Elvina Medeiros are among the characters to be found at the Haunted House created by the Academy of Performing Arts in Orleans.
Justine Roderick, left, and Elvina Medeiros are among the characters to be found at the Haunted House created by the Academy of Performing Arts in Orleans.

The Academy of Performing Arts will continue its Haunted House from 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 21-22, 28 and 30, plus 8 to 10 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Academy Playhouse, 120 Main St., Orleans. Groups are due to go through every 10 to 15 minutes and reservations must be made for particular time slots. The scary factor is due to be high, so the event isn’t recommended for small children. The haunted house path goes through the set of the play “The Vourdalak,” about a man trapped by blood-drinkers, which will be on stage at 2 p.m. Oct. 23 and 6 pm. Oct. 27. Admission for all: $15; reservations and information: https://theacademyofperformingarts.thundertix.com/.

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Join or watch a “Thriller” dance Halloween flash mob

Main Street in Buzzards Bay will be the setting starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 for the town’s first-ever “Thriller Flash Mob” re-creating Michael Jackson’s famed group video dance, followed by Halloween trick-or-treating in the village. Organized by Lauren DeGregorio, a volunteer event coordinator for Bourne, Julia Sykes from Studio 721 has been teaching her students as the core leaders of the dance, along with Center Stage Dance Academy Students. Sykes created a video tutorial available at https://vimeo.com/750457201 or to help rehearse anyone who wants to show up and dance as part of the flash mob. DeGregorio emphasizes all abilities are welcome to the dance and costume parade around Buzzards Bay Park, then children are welcome to trick or treat at Main Street businesses, with a police officer on hand to help with street crossings. Information: https://www.facebook.com/thestudio721.

Make other kids Halloween-happy

If your kids have outgrown some of their Halloween costumes and are looking for something new, Wellfleet Public Library is holding a Halloween Costume Swap at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at the library at 55 W. Main St. Donations of costumes are accepted during library hours up to the event, and face masks must be worn during the swap. Information: 508-349-0310, https://www.wellfleetlibrary.org/.

A ride and a story with The Addams Family

Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre is already celebrating the Halloween season with its show choice of “The Addams Family Musical,” but on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22-23, the characters will be on hand for another event. The Harwich Chamber of Commerce (at 1 School House Road, Harwich Port) is offering a “mysterious and spooky” trolley that leaves every 30 minutes from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday to take a ride to the company’s outdoor theater for a story with Addams Family members. Goodie bags will be provided for all participating children, and all are invited to dress as your favorite “Addams Family” characters. There will also be costumed characters on the vehicle. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at https://harwichcc.com/cape-cod-vacation/ or 508-430-1165.

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Starring in "The Addams Family Musical" at Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre are, from left, Maryana Crawley as Wednesday, Brittany Rolfs as Morticia, Anthony Teixeira as Gomez and Kelly Martin as Pugsley.
Starring in "The Addams Family Musical" at Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre are, from left, Maryana Crawley as Wednesday, Brittany Rolfs as Morticia, Anthony Teixeira as Gomez and Kelly Martin as Pugsley.

What spooky happenings were in Falmouth?

Falmouth Museums on the Green (55 Palmer Ave.) will present the interactive tour titled “Sins, Sips and Secrets” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 to unveil what organizers describe as tales of Falmouth’s “nefarious and unearthly past” that include tales of “fears about the night, wayward travelers and spirits in times past.” The tour, based on first-person accounts, diaries and newspaper records, will take place in the complex’s 1790 Dr. Francis Wicks House, with new tours leaving every half hour. A cash bar will be available during the event, and the grounds open for strolling by candlelight. Cost: $20, $10 for members. Reservations and information: https://museumsonthegreen.org/

Learn about two diabolical Jacks

Retired district court judge Gregory Williams will talk Tuesday about two dangerous Jacks in England centuries ago.
Retired district court judge Gregory Williams will talk Tuesday about two dangerous Jacks in England centuries ago.

Victorian terror is the theme for a historical talk of the macabre past by retired judge Gregory Williams at 6 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 25 at Sturgis Library, 3090 Main St., Barnstable. The “Pair O’ Jacks” lecture focuses on the real Jack the Ripper, as well as a 19th-century character in England named Spring-Heeled Jack. That second Jack was known for his leaping prowess and appeared in several mostly diabolical guises, and Williams describes him as an “urban legend, folk tale, media sensation” who may have been real or may have been a hoax. To register: email sturgisreference@comcast.net. Information: https://www.sturgislibrary.org/.

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Listen to scary tales

Eastham Library (190 Samoset Road) will hold a Spooky Story Slam at 6 p.m. Thursday Oct. 27, featuring pre-submitted stories of under-500 words from local residents that are either tales from real life or the writer’s imagination. The up to 15 spine-chilling stories were judged by librarians and are PG-13 appropriate. Information: https://easthamlibrary.org/.

Contact Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll at kdriscoll@capecodonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @KathiSDCCT.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod and other early Halloween events Oct. 21-27