20 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 6, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Philosophy of Horror. But it became decidedly more fitting of the 21st century—paranormal television shows skyrocketed, filmed in a documentary style where ghost hunters use various pieces of equipment in an attempt to prove the existence of wandering spirits. The part-history, part-fantastical nature of the shows have remained just as popular today. Monterey County is a hotspot for these shows. Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures, for example, has filmed at the Point Sur Lighthouse, Los Coches Adobe in Soledad, Tor House in Carmel and the Carmel Doll Shop in Pacific Grove. In recent weeks, a crew from Discovery Channel has been filming in Monterey for an upcoming episode of an unknown ghost hunting show, even flying a drone over one of Kinkade’s tours. Emily Evans, public relations director for See Monterey, says while the Halloween season hasn’t historically been a peak hotel occupancy time in the county, there’s been a growing interest in local Halloween-related activities. See Monterey’s haunted places blog, featuring locations such as Stokes Adobe in Monterey and the Carmel Mission, consistently ranks among the top of its website’s most visited pages, she says, suggesting “there is curiosity and engagement around Halloween content for visitors and locals alike.” “Monterey County has a lot for locals to enjoy, such as the haunted history of the region. Combined with the natural eerie beauty of certain spots like the Point Sur Lighthouse or Old Fisherman’s Wharf, it certainly appeals to a niche audience of ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts,” Evans says. Halloween falls on what is known as the “shoulder season”—the time when the summer tourists are back home, but before the holidays. An attraction that made its two-weekend debut on Cannery Row hoped to give people more reasons to visit the area during this time. For Haunted Harbor, four attractions inside 700 Cannery Row received a Halloween makeover. Treasure Hunt: The Ride, where up to four riders traverse in a vehicle shooting targets, transformed into Treasure Haunt, featured scare actors in the queue and inside the ride itself. Escape Room 831’s Pier of Fear attraction turned into a walk-through maze for Haunted Harbor with costumed monsters providing plenty of jump-scares and eerie moments. The two shooting galleries inside the building were also decked out with Halloween flair. Ron Daniels, president of Daniels Wood Land, which built Treasure Hunt, says adding a Halloween overlay to Treasure Hunt was an obvious choice, given the popularity of such attractions elsewhere in the state. Daniels Wood Land teamed up with Escape Room 831 to add more attractions to the Haunted Harbor concept. This year is seen as a test run for the event, with the hopes of building on the synergy in the area and getting more nearby businesses involved in the coming years, he says, and perhaps even introduce a “Cannery Row at Night” concept year-round. As one man walked out of Pier of Fear looking slightly dazed, he was asked his thoughts on the maze. “It’s terrifyingly awesome,” he said. Book a ghost tour of Cannery Row at ghosttoursmonterey.com. Season of the Ghouls Costumed monsters pop out of the shadows during Haunted Harbor. Scare actors complement the creepy environments crafted for the attraction. DANIEL DREIFUSS This project was supported, in part, by grant number CFDA 90SAPG0094-05 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy. It’s tIme to talk about medIcare coverage Medicare costs, medicare advantage (Part C), and the prescription drug plans (Part D) change each year... learn more at one of our Free medicare updates Presentations Seaside: Oldemeyer Center - Wed 11/6 at 1:30pm (English) & 2:45pm (Spanish) Pacific Grove: Meals on Wheels - Thu 11/7 at 1:30pm of the Monterey Peninsula (English) Monterey: Scholze Park Center - Wed 11/13 at 2pm (English) Call to learn more about our FREE service in your area! 800-434-0222 www.allianceonaging.org Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program - ‘HICAP’ YOU DON’T HAVE TO FACE IT ALONE. 24 Hour Crisis Lines Salinas: (831) 424-HELP (4357) Monterey: (831) 375-HELP (4357) www.mtryrapecrisis.org Services are bilingual and confidential Now serving Salinas and Monterey
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