Question of the Day - 14 October 2013

Nah, not so much. Halloween doesn't register too high on the social calendar; Sin City doesn't really do* the whole sexy-haunted-spooky-party thing, you know? Still, here's a roundup of a "events" and "attractions," such as they are:

Haunted Houses:

• It's the 21st Anniversary of Freakling Bros. The Trilogy of Terror! This years haunted houses are "Circus of Horros", "Castle Vampyre", and Nevada's first and only R-rated attraction "Gates of Hell". Located at 2321 N. Rainbow Blvd. (at Smoke Ranch) the attractions will be open Sun-Thurs, 7 p.m.-11 p.m. and Fri & Sat, 7 p.m.-midnight Oct. 10-13, 17-31 (open til midnight on Oct. 30 & 31). freaklingbros.com

• New to the scene this year is the Sin City Scare Fair, which is running on select days now through 31 at 9121 E. Sunset (just off the Strip, behind the Calloway Golf Course). It features everything from multiple Haunted Houses (including a custom fan-inspired creation); to zombie Go-Karting; to a 3-D "fully immersive" attraction specifically for anyone suffering from clown phobia (isn't that everyone, aside perhaps from clowns, and we're not even sure about them?); to a thrill ride in an actual used coffin (we presume the previous occupant has vacated?); celebrity appearances from "The Walking Dead" (Travis Love, Oct. 11) and "American Horror Story" (Naomi Grossman, Oct. 18-19), and all the more mundane but essential offerings, like a pumpkin patch, festive vendors, and an arcade. Tickets range from $30-$55; check the link for the schedule.

• This year Hotel Fear and the Asylum haunted houses are located at the Meadows Mall (Decatur Blvd. and Meadows Ln.) Tickets are $15 for each or $25 for both and VIP (bypass the lines) passes are $20 each or $30 for both. The attraction is open Sun & Thurs, 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m. and Fri & Sat, 6:30 p.m.-midnight (open til 10 p.m. on Oct. 29 and midnight on Oct. 30 & 31). Lasvegashaunts.com

• Perennially ranked one of the top-5 scariest haunted attractions in the nation, Frightdome returns to Circus Circus with features this year including two 4-D haunted films, four scare zones, and six all-new haunted houses. Tickets start at $32.95 for week nights and $37.95 on weekends. The attraction will be open Thurs-Sun, 7 p.m.-midnight with additional nights on Oct. 23, 29-31. Frightdome.com.

• The annual conversion of Bonnie Springs Ranch to Bonnie Screams haunted ghost town is already in full swing and runs through Oct. 31, with three haunted houses, performances by a "master mystifier," and scary tales of urban myths and notorious killers. Tickets are $25 and it's open 7 p.m. to midnight nightly through the end of the month.

• Looking for something even less family-friendly? Palomino Club in North Las Vegas is not only the only all-nude strip club in town with a liquor license, but it's also the only one we know of that partially converts into a full-on haunted house on Oct. 30 and 31, with a spooky labyrinth upstairs and trick-or-treating strippers. Have the club limo pick you up and it's free entry.

Events/Parties:

• The Springs Preserve's family-oriented annual Haunted Harvest event takes place on Oct. 26-27 and will feature carnival games, a haunted hay maze, trick or treat stations, live entertainment and more.
• The 4th Annual Las Vegas Halloween Parade starts at Fremont Street East this year for the first time. On Oct. 31 all costumed characters are welcome to join the parade. The parade will begin lining up on Fremont and 13th street at 6 p.m. and the parade will begin at 7 p.m. There will be an after-party at Fremont and 7th street with food, drinks, and dancing. This year's costume contest catagories are: Best Group Costume, Best Float/ArtCar, Best Illuminated Costume, Best Baby Costume, and Most Outrageous Costume.
• It's HallOVeen at Opportunity Village Oct. 18-20, and 25-27, from 5-9 p.m., with parades, carousel and train rides, midway games, and more. Admission's $17.99-$19.99, with rides will be available for purchase separately ($3 for single ride or $12 for unlimited-ride wristband)
• Las Vegas Zombie Run (actually more of a spooky obstacle course, we gather) takes place October 28 at Sunset Park beginning at 9 a.m., with 100% of proceeds to benefit charity. Registration is $60; visit the website for more details.
• Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor presents their annual Haunted Ghost Tours from Oct. 31-Nov. 2. The tours run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in 30 minute increments.
• The Neon Museum is having a Boneyard Bash on Oct. 25, complete with food, drink, zombies, showghouls, and a chance to win The Walking Dead memorabilia. Tickets are $75 and the event starts at 7 p.m.
• PBR Rock Bar will host a "Haunted Hoe-Down" Halloween party on Oct. 31 with a costume bull riding competition at 8 p.m. $5 Jack-o-Lantern shots will be available for $5.
• Rockhouse is celebrating with a Trick-or-Trashed Halloween party on Oct. 31. Jack-o-Lantern shots will be available for $5 and costumed partygoes have a chance to win up to $2,000 in cash and prizes.
• The 18th Annual Fetish & Fantasy Ball takes place Oct. 26 at the Hard Rock from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. and ticket prices start at $77. Pre-parties will be held at Larry Flynt's Hustler Club and The Bank Nightclub on Oct. 25, with after parties at 1 OAK and Sapphire on Oct. 26.
• Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace will host a costume contest with $10,000 in cash and prizes on Oct. 29.
• The Heart Bar at Planet Hollywood will hold a costume contest on Oct 26 with the top three costumes taking home a show of $5,000.
• Carnaval Court at Harrah's will have a costume contest on Oct. 31 and Nov. 2. A total of $10,000 will be given away throughout the two days, including a $1,500 cash prize for thr sexiest costume (female only) and the most creative costume.
• VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub at the Rio is having a costume contest on Oct. 31 where the scariest costume, most original costume, and sexiest costume winners will all go home with $2,000 cash.
• Crazy Horse III and Posh Nightclub hosts its annual Halloween XXX-Travaganza Oct. 30-Nov. 2 complete with "Neon Flow" on Oct. 30, "Pin Ups and Superheroes" on Oct. 31, "Ghouls Gone Wild" on Nov. 1, and "Strip R' Treat" on Nov. 2. There will be live DJs each night, open bar from 9 p.m.-11 p.m. on Oct. 31, and costume contests on Oct 31-Nov. 2
• The Palms will host Night of the Killer Costumes again this year, with a "Back 2 the Future" Halloween Costume Bash at Ghost Bar Day Club on Oct. 26 at 1 p.m., "Thriller" All Styles B-Boy Dance Battle at The View on Oct. 29 at 8 p.m., "$10,000 Sexy Costume Contest" at Moon on Oct. 29 at 10:30 p.m., and "$10,000 Zombie Prom" Halloween Costume Contest at the Ghostbar on Oct. 31 at 10:30 p.m. Admission for each event is $20 (local ladies free).

*That whole bit about Vegas not really "doing" Halloween was, um, a joke, right? So much does this city "do" Halloween, in fact, that we suspect we'll be dedicating our "Spotlight" feature to "Updates," since we're pretty sure this list is far from definitive...