Halloween Happenings in Downbeach

NanetteG

The following Halloween happenings are scheduled in the Downbeach area to celebrate everyone's favorite holiday.

Local families and businesses are invited to participate in the Ventnor's inaugural Trunk or Treat event slated for 3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 on the beach-block of Newport Avenue in Ventnor. About 40 participants will park their vehicles on Newport Avenue, decorate their trucks with a theme and distribute candy to trunk or treaters. Additionally, the Ventnor City Fire Department will hold a marshmallow roast in the beachfront park behind the library, and children will be able to participate in a fun craft event painting little wooden pumpkins, so the paint dries quickly, she said. For more information, call Patti Kedziora at 609-823-7900 or Lisa Hand at 609-823-7904.

Magician and ventriloquist Matt Cadabra performs at the Atlantic County Library/Ventnor, 6500 Atlantic Ave., Ventnor for children 5 and older 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. An hour of Halloween-themed mystery and fun. Matt has appeared in many of Atlantic City's casinos, and on America's Got Talent. Get a chance to pet the live rabbit at the end of the show.

Absecon Lighthouse, 31 S. Rhode Island Avenue in Atlantic City will host Haunted Tours at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Listen to true ghost stories, researchers from the NJ Researchers Paranormal Evidence team will help you hunt for ghosts and listen to eerie recordings and video taken at the lighthouse during paranormal investigations. Guided tours of our grounds and tower allow you to discover history and hear spooky tales. Reservations are required. Call 609-449-1360. NJROPE ghost tracking takes place at 8 p.m. Tickets for the one-hour tours are $20, and tickets for the two-hour ghost investigation are $45.

Lucy the Elephant in Margate is inviting all of her favorite visitors, 12 and under, to come for a free tour with an adult Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27. Here's the catch, you must be in a Halloween costume. Tours through the World's Largest Elephant are offered every half hour beginning at 10 a.m. The last tour of the day begins at 4:30 p.m. and the park closes at 5 p.m.

The Ventnor Municipal Alliance will host a Movie Night for Ventnor families 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 at St. James Memorial Hall, 6515 Atlantic Ave. The event features a screening of the Halloween classic, Hocus Pocus. The event is free and will provide light snacks.

Trick or Treaters can Horror-fy the Librarians during the Atlantic County Library/Ventnor's regular branch hours Thursday, Oct. 31. Have a favorite horror writer or director? Share your favorites with the branch by sticking your suggestion on the Very Scary Bulletin Board.