Halloween is Tuesday, 10/31
By Beth David, Editor
Welcome to our 12th annual Halloween Trail.
We have 18 houses on our trail this year (okay, that includes the Haunted Academy, which isn’t exactly a house), plus four “other” stops. That’s a record if you include the other stops, but a tie (with 2012), if you only include the trail.
Either way, it’s a big jump up from the first year, 2006, when we had seven. We had another dip in 2015, with only 10. So, what was THAT about?
In any case, we know there are lots of other houses out there with great decorations just waiting to scare the bejeebers out of you. So, don’t be shy. If you see a lot of decorations, get over there with your bag. If the yard is decorated, you know they want you to stop and gawk, so feel free to do so.
As usual, we’ve collected the list of addresses from a variety of sources, and, of course, we could not have done it without Manny of Ole Oxford Haunt. We don’t have an online map this year. Technical difficulties. Maybe we’ll have that figured out by next year.
We tried to make this a logical geographical trail. We begin in North Fairhaven and move south from there, but, of course, this is America, land of the free and home of the car lovers, so feel free to visit any which way you want to. Just…get there! Thanks to all who sent in yards or a neighbor’s yard.
Enjoy your tour of the real Halloweentown….. yahahahahahaha.
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1: 70 Oliver Street Back for the third year and ready NOW for your viewing pleasure (“pleasure” being a relative term, of course). This yard has a spooky pumpkin patch and be warned: Look out for moving things in the yard! Be sure to wait for dark before you go.
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2: 84 Oliver Street. Witches, skeletons and ghostly ghosts dot this yard that is here for the first time. Brrr….just looking at it makes your blood run cold.
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3: 189 Alden Road. Halloween Horror, at Roxann’s Garden Center. This is really spooky stuff, so be careful if you’re a chicken at heart and just trying to show off. Features about a 20-minute walk-through, with tour guides, scary music, lots of moving monsters, goblins, creepy crawlers, and things that touch you.
Donations are accepted at the end but NOT required. Money goes to make it better and better each year.
Every year they add something new, so if you think you know what’s happening here, think again.
OPEN: Fri., 10/27, through Tues., 10/31. FIVE straight nights of scaring you, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Neighb News file photo by Beth David.
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4: 60 Oxford St., Although scaled down from past years, Manny’s handiwork will still set your spine to shivering. Every piece of his display is made, not bought. No walk through, but a lot of spooky kooks in the front yard. Manny and his creepy crew will gladly accept donations for the American Cancer Society.
OPEN: Now through Oct. 31, from 6 to 9 p.m.
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5: 185 Main Street. Looks like you’d better watch your back at this place. It seems to be mostly up and running, speaking of which…. make sure you wear your running shoes. Oh, and if they offer you a hot meal, you might want to say….nah, not hungry.
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6: Haunted Academy, 141 Main St., Fairhaven Visitors Center. Many of Manny’s old masterpieces found a home a the Haunted Academy. This haunt is a walk-through both inside and outside this old schoolhouse. Live actors will shiver your timbers, so very little ones may want to pass on this one.
OPEN: Fri., Sat., Sun., 10/27, 28, 29, from 6–9 p.m. Park in Fairhaven High School lot.
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7: 42 Huttleston Ave. (Rte. 6). Near the corner of Adams. Just because this is a main road and very busy, do not be fooled. Things can still crawl out of the earth itself to spook you on the way to grab your treats.
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8: 20 Roy St. Head east to find this little street tucked away off Bridge Street. And when you do, be sure to stop and chat with this fellow. He looks like he needs a friend.
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9: 51 Green St. What better place for a zombie filled yard than the center of Fairhaven, with its big old Victorians, and age-old trees? Dr. Brian Bowcock invites you all to check out the home-made displays in this yard that looks alive. There may be tricks, there may be treats. No set hours, just go when it’s dark. Neighb News file photo by Beth David.
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10: 88 Chestnut St. Don’t leave the center too soon. Just scoot up a block or so away and follow the road to #88. Beware of spiders, monsters, witches, and who-knows-what-else in this display that spills out from the porch of this big old house that looks like it was used in a movie or two that scared you to the bone.
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11: 11 Alexander Lane. Head east up Route 6 before you come back down to the Neck. You’ll find Alexander Lane off New Boston Road (East Fairhaven School). We’re sending you off to East Fairhaven with just one stop, but you KNOW there are others, just hop off onto a side street and explore.
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12: 20 Hiller Ave. Now you’re heading up Sconticut Neck Road to Hiller Avenue, even if you visited last weekend, because they are sure to be adding more ghouls for guests. Make sure you show up on Halloween night, too. This hard working home haunter said she was disappointed in the low turnout last year.
Let’s show her that Fairhaven has Halloween Spirit like no other place! Submitted photo.
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13: 41 Bayview. Now, before you head to West Island, scoot around to Bayview Avenue. We don’t have any pictures of this one, but we’re sure it’s worth the trip. Donations will be gladly accepted for the Mass. Society for the Prevention fo Cruelty to Animals, but are not necessary to enjoy the haunt, which features the tale of the lost little girl…if you dare to go inside the house to hear it. Open Sun., Mon. and Tues., 6:30-9:30.
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14: 166 Dogwood St. Now continue down Sconticut Neck Road and enjoy a few splendidly decorated yards along the way. Take the left onto Goulart Memorial Drive and head for my place on West Island. I can’t say for sure which day I’ll be set up, but we’ll be ready for you on Halloween. I haven’t heard from the Screaming Banshees yet, but they usually do make an appearance, if only for a little while. We can promise dead things, noises in the fog, and a cauldron full of boiling candy. Beth David photo.
Acushnet
We have three Acushnet stops this year, but we’re quite sure there are more places to be scaried by our neighbors to the north.
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15: 8 Beech St, Acushnet. This elaborate yard goes on forever and is best seen at night. You’ll want to visit it more than once because they add new stuff all the time. You just never know what you’ll find. This yard has been ready for weeks, so you know these guys are serious! Beth David photos.
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16: 17 Myrtle Ave., Acushnet. New this year to us, but these guys have been at it for 17 years! This year’s donations will go to the Team Noah Foundation, which is building the completely accessible playground at Pope’s Island. Open Mon. 10/30 ONLY, from 6–9:30 p.m. Submitted photo.
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17: 635 Main St., Acushnet. Now head north on Main Street for a ways. These guys have been ready for your for awhile, but make sure you go back on Halloween night to get the treats after this trickery! In any case, I’m sure these guys will be happy to have your company.
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Dartmouth
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18: 10 Stonewall Ave., Dartmouth. For our only Dartmouth entry, you can hop on the highway and take the Reed Road exit, then head north. I haven’t seen this one yet, but it looks very spooky and very elaborate. I mean, just LOOK at this guy! If he’s got any friends… well, good luck to you.
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Click here to download the entire 10/26/17 issue: 10-26-17 HalloweenTrail
