Haunted houses await Portales residents

Laurie Stone

It’s that time of year: Frankenstein or a deranged-looking clown just might be at your door the next time you open it.

Portales City Manager Debi Lee said trick-or-treaters will be in neighborhoods celebrating Halloween on Sunday, the official holiday.

In the past, the local ministerial alliance has asked the city to recognize Halloween on Saturday when it falls on Sunday.

“This year they didn’t make the request,” Lee said.

A number of organizations in Portales have planned a safe environment for children this weekend, offering entertainment, food and games indoors, according to organizers.

The Portales Recreation Center is celebrating its third annual Spooktacular event, which it hosts to raise money for equipment.

Last year’s proceeds were used to purchase computers.

The spooking will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The cost is $2 per person.

There will be two choices of fright tours: The Barney tour is for younger children that do not want to be frightened (too much) and the Nightmare tour will be for older kids and adults.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Matthew Wolfe, recreational aid at the Recreation Center. “All the long hours of preparation are worth it to see the fright in the kids’ eyes when they go through a tour.”

Johnny Ledbetter, director of the Portales Recreation Center said, “We want to provide kids with a fun and safe environment that will give them plenty of entertainment keeping them off the streets and out of trouble.”

Also, Heartland Continuing Care Center will host its third annual haunted house at the old hospital from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The cost is $2 per person.

Expect to see the scene of a deranged serial killer gone ballistic in a mental ward, according to organizers. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Officials said younger children might enjoy fall festival themes set at Eastern New Mexico University and the Red Barn at base housing outside Cannon Air Force Base.

Those events include:

l Games that include bobbing for apples and pumpkin decorating will occupy treaters at Lincoln Hall’s events, scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

“The children can go trick-or-treating in the building at the dorm rooms where plenty of candy is given away by the residents,” said Gladys Montano, Coordinator of Lincoln Housing.

The event is free.

l The Red Barn will also offer games and a costume contest from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Games include bobbing for apples in cooked noodles.

The cost is $2 per person. Those in the military are admitted free.

l The Chi Omega Sorority will have an “Owl-oween” party from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday at the Chi Omega house, 1018 W. University St.

l A “House of Chaos” will be held at the ENMU music building from 7 p.m. to midnight on Friday. The cost is $5 per person and $3 for those under 12.