WILLIAMSBURG — “Family Frights,” a Halloween-themed museum night for children and families, returns on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25 and 26, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
According to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation (JYF), as the sun goes down, Jamestown Settlement’s outdoor areas will transform for one special weekend into friendly and frightful settings with trick-or-treating, creepy crafts and games, festive music, face painting, and decorated houses and ships.
Ghosts and graveyards will greet families from the main entrance into the lobby, themed as “Sleepy Hollow.” In the outdoor areas, families will enter the world of “Alice in Wonderland” for fun and games.
Smoke, lanterns and sound effects will create a spooky setting in the re-created fort, JYF added, where families can escape into the “gold rush.” Then, visitors can mosey into a western saloon to meet gold miners showing off their finds — but they will need to watch out for thieves.
In the candlelit church, visitors can enjoy spooky sounds on the theremin performed by Carolyn Scruggs.
Guests can even catch glimpses of their favorite classic movie monsters, including Dracula, Frankenstein, the Werewolf and the Creature from the Black Lagoon… and maybe even Bigfoot, according to JYF.
The foundation added that the riverfront will be transformed into elements of Greek mythology where costume-clad guests will encounter Poseidon, Athena and other gods and goddesses.
Haunted tales and sing-alongs from the Cigar Box String Band also will entertain guests on the waterfront, and an enchanted pathway will offer encounters with faeries, elves, gnomes and other magical creatures.
At the ships’ pier, trick-or-treaters can meet some of their favorite characters, JYF said. Trick-or-treators can power up with the Mario Brothers by climbing aboard the Godspeed or discover Thing 1 or Thing 2 with Dr. Seuss on board the Discovery.
Families can enjoy a maze at the end of the pier, along with more fun games and activities, the foundation added.
Admission is $10 per child, ages 4-12, and $7 per adult (ages 12 and older). Children ages 3-years-old and under are free. Each party must include at least one adult over the age of 18.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online at jyfmuseums.org/familyfrights. Tickets will not be available on-site or at the door, and annual passes and other discounts do not apply.
Jamestown Settlement is located at 2110 Jamestown Road, near Williamsburg. For more information, call 757-253-4838 or visit jyfmuseums.org/familyfrights.
