From freakish to family-friendly, Halloween events a scream

By Cydney Cappello, Amanda Finnegan, Kyle B. Hansen, Cara McCoy

Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008 | 2 a.m.

With all its glamour, neon and glitz, there’s no place like Sin City to celebrate Halloween. And, true to form, from unbridled bashes on the Strip to family-friendly events in the suburbs, the Las Vegas area offered up entertainment treats for all kinds Friday night.

Some looking for a classic Vegas experience headed straight to Circus Circus. Despite the long lines and $34 tickets, horror fans lined up by the dozens at the Fright Dome to get their fill of shrieks and screams.

What’s not to love about Killer Clowns in 3-D, Hillbilly Hell and a Vampire Blood Feast?

Marissa Cartiev and Samuel Marquez, both of Las Vegas, were two of only a handful of fear-seekers sporting costumes for the occasion.

“We wanted something that matched, so we picked a doctor and nurse,” said Cartiev, who was dressed in a red and white faux nurse uniform.

Carla Turner, a freshman at Desert Pines High School, came with her older brother, 19-year-old Timothy, and three younger cousins, prepared to be scared.

Turner, dressed as a cheerleader, said she picked her costume because she wanted to be a cheerleader -- and she didn’t make the squad this year.

Her younger cousins, wearing face paint applied by Turner’s mom, jumped around as they stood in line, arguing over who was going to be the most afraid.

“I just wanted to come down and have fun. I’ve been bored all week, so I just wanted to have a good time on Friday,” Turner said.

Further down the Strip, costumed visitors walked Las Vegas Boulevard armed with tall drinks in plastic cups. A myriad of “celebs” made an appearance -- Lara Croft from “Tomb Raider” and Tom Cruise from “Top Gun” were joined by Wonder Woman and Bat Girl in the throng of costumed pedestrians parading down the street.

Bill and Carol Cicerone were dressed as George and Judy Jetson from the 1960s cartoon, “The Jetsons.” Bill Cicerone credited his wife with putting together his costume. Carol Cicerone said she was able to make the “George” shirt out of an old sailor shirt and painted a pair a women’s boots silver to complete the futuristic look.

The Cicerones said they always try to go as a pair.

“We’ve gone as the Honeymooners, a tiger and ringmaster, and one year I was Marilyn Monroe and he was Joe DiMaggio,” Carol Cicerone said.

The couple said they traditionally have a Halloween bash at their home in San Francisco but came to Las Vegas this year for their nephew’s wedding. The Cicerones weren’t the only ones in town for a celebration this Halloween weekend.

Cathy Balentine and her daughter, Grace, were in town from San Diego to celebrate Grace’s 21st birthday. Grace Balentine dressed as succubus, complete with hooves and horns.

“The hooves took me two days to make,” she said, pointing to her furry boots. “The skirt took me only a few hours and then I got the wings and the horns. In total, it probably took me a week to make.”

Cathy Balentine, in a green, velvet dress and boa made of fake dollars, said she was “Lady Luck.”

“I just thought it was very appropriate for Vegas,” she said.

The pair said they were planning to head to Pure nightclub to enter its costume contest, which was ponying up a $20,000 prize.

Some of those in costume Friday night looked back to the 1980s for inspiration.

California residents Dave Brecht and Andy Allen walked the Strip channeling their favorite wrestling stars.

“Well, growing up I was always a fan of the 80s and they were great role models,” joked Bercht, dressed as Jake “The Snake” Roberts.

“They taught me a lot about life inside the ring,” added Allen, dressed as Bret “The Hitman” Hart.

Bercht, with a stuffed snake draped around his neck and skin-tight, bright blue pants, said the costumes didn’t take long to put together -- but putting them on was a chore.

“It took me about a half-hour to get into this spandex,” Bercht said. Allen, in his neon pink singlet, agreed.

A little east of the Strip, tiny ghouls and goblins ran amuck in the parking lot of Hard Rock Café, where the restaurant and more than a dozen Metro Police officers hosted the second annual Trunk-or-Treat event.

About 500 kids scampered from police cruiser-to-police cruiser to gather treats and collectibles from officers.

“Last year was the first one and I think the turnout is the same as last year,” police Sgt. John Loretto said. He was handing out temporary tattoos of Metro Police badges.

Several parents at the event said the small size of the location was good because they could keep an eye on their children.

“It was easy to control your kids because they like to run around,” Las Vegas resident Lisa McInerney said. She said she and her three boys arrived early with plans to continue trick-or-treating later in their neighborhood.

Candy, however, wasn’t the only highlight of the evening. Near the front of the parking lot, Metro staffed a table with officers from different departments, including those with police dogs and officers who ride motorcycles, so the kids could meet them. The Army Reserve also was there with vehicles to tour.

“Kids just love trucks, especially army trucks. They think those are the neatest,“ said Michelle Bartlett, who is a member of the Army Reserves.

At the Orleans Arena, the Las Vegas Wranglers catered to their youngest fans Friday night by letting any child wearing a costume into the game for free.

While the Wranglers treated fans to a 5-1 win over the Stockton Thunder, children entertained themselves by trick-or-treating in the concourse.

During the first intermission, those in costume were invited to walk across the ice. About 100 of them -- including several pirates, Jokers, Ninja Turtles and princesses -- did just that.

But many of the costumed kids who turned out for the 18th annual Safe Street event at Town Square felt tricked after all the treats ran out.

Before the 18th annual trick-or-treat event was half over, a number of stores at the shopping center had signs on the front door: "No candy."

"Sorry, no treats," was a constant refrain.

Michelle Huppert, who organized a group of friends to meet up with their children at the event, said she was disappointed the sugary sweets had all been nabbed early. She said the crowd was too big.

"We got here around 6 and a lot of stores already had signs out saying that they were out of candy. And our friends are just now getting here so there's not going to be anything left for them," she said.

Despite the lack of candy for the kids, she said some older members of the family were having a good time.

"It's good for the men. They are all in there drinking beer," she said, motioning toward Yard House Bar and Grill.

Between the family-friendly games and what candy there was, most appeared to be having a good time.

"I like Halloween because it's pretty," said 3-year-old Kristina Hicks as she sucked on a lollipop. Hicks was dressed as a princess.

When asked for further explanation, she picked up her candy and said, "I got lots.”

Lilly Hornburg said she decided to bring her husband and stepchildren to the event because of the convenience of the shopping center.

"It's kind of a nice alternative to going through the neighborhood because everything is close together," she said.

In Henderson, people and pooches alike got spooked at The District at Green Valley Ranch.

Hundreds of people swarmed the shopping area, where costumed workers handed out candy as part of a Ghost Walk event. The merry-go-round was transformed into a “carousel of doom” and costumed kids climbed aboard as the so-called “Carnival of Horrors” transpired around them.

The kid-friendly event, however, managed to stay age-appropriately scary. There were several booths with sideshow freaks handing out treats. (The bearded “lady” was seen letting children touch “her” beard to prove it was real.)

The highlight of the evening, however, was the endless number of creative costumes worn by both people and their dogs.

Standing in front of Jos. A. Banks, sisters Tamara and Danica Skoric and their dog, Heidi, a Lhasa Apso, made quite the group. Tamara, 16, was dressed as a bottle of ketchup; Danica, 13, was mustard; and Heidi, of course, was wearing a hot dog costume.

“We got the costumes a year ago, but when we found the hot dog, we decided to wear them again,” Tamara said. “We usually go to Anthem Country Club but we heard this was fun, so we’re here. There are some really interesting costumes.”

Children dressed as fairies, pumpkins, and Minnie Mouse danced in the courtyard area while a DJ played creepy music (and the occasional Michael Jackson tune). Nary a moment went by without a parent whipping out a digital camera to snap a photo of cute kids, with a popular spot being in front of a giant ghost surrounded by a graveyard full of headstones with inscriptions like, “RIP Disco.”

Scary, with a sense of humor.

Kelli Carlson and Mitzi Rea, both stylists at the Tin Star Salon, said they had to dress up for work and decided to stop by so they could show off their costumes.

“I’ve been to The District a zillion times before, but never on Halloween,” said Carlson, dressed as a hula dancer. “I had heard there are all kinds of kids dressed up. Just look at them -- they are, and their parents, too, and their dogs!”

Rea, in a cat costume complete with whiskers and a leopard-print collar, said she was happy to be doing something different on Halloween.

“I usually stay home and pass out candy, but no one’s home this year,” she said. “My husband’s not really a big Halloween person, anyway.”

Some of the dogs at Friday’s event weren’t really canines at all.

Scooby-Doo and Velma, more commonly known as Brian and Elizabeth Solomon, brought their 1-year-old son, Jackson, to the event in his stroller. Jackson was dressed up as Scrappy-Doo.

Elizabeth Solomon said the family went with the Scooby-Doo theme because it’s the only show Jackson will watch.

“It’s a really cool event,” she said. “I like the music and all the costumes, especially the Lizard Man across the street.” The Lizard Man was one of the sideshow freaks in the “Carnival of Horrors.”

Sun reporter Steve Silver contributed to this report.