While the Queen Mary — known as the most haunted ship in the world — remains dark, a Halloween-themed event producer has set up a nearby pumpkin patch that turns into a haunted dance party at night.
The attraction is called Shaqtoberfest — and yes, the reference is exactly what you think it is.
Shaqtoberfest, a first-time event, opened on weekends earlier this month and is now open Wednesday to Sunday through Halloween, Monday, Oct. 31. It is promoted by Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal and he has narrated the experiences in each area of the pumpkin patch.
“We are beyond thrilled to be partnering with Shaq and ABG Entertainment for a truly unique Halloween experience” Chris Strafford, CEO and founding partner of producer Thirteenth Floor Entertainment, said in a press release. “Shaqtoberfest will be unlike any other Halloween attraction that we have ever produced, and we couldn’t be more excited to be launching it at one of the area’s most well-known locations and show our fans what we’ve created for them.
Not to mention,” Strafford added, “we’re really excited to be able to produce an event in Long Beach, which has a long running history of hosting amazing Halloween celebrations.”
During the day, Shaq Diesel’s Pumpkin Patch offers trick-or-treating, pumpkin sculptures and inflatable play zones. That happens at the Queen Mary events park, also known as the Harry Bridges Memorial Park.
Then, when the sun goes down, the adults come out to play.
“Once dark, the patch becomes a music pumping, over-the-top light show mixing Halloween with EDM (Electronic Dance Music),” a statement from the producer said. “The same is true for Lost City Boardwalk, located underneath the Queen Mary’s gangways, which hands out candy and frozen treats during the day and screams from ghostly, ghastly characters at night.”
In all, there are six areas, each populated by ghosts, ghouls and more. A street festival called Midway Madness offers rides, games, food and a clown-infested funhouse, themed for kids during the day and adults after 8 p.m.
Shipwreck Graveyard is nearby, with rusted vessels and cargo offering hiding places for the seafaring undead. Deadman’s Wharf is the habitat for sea creatures and eerie bait shops. And no haunted waterfront would be complete without a Pirate’s Cove, where scallywags, alive and dead, have taken over. That’s also home to Captain Shaq’s Hideaway, where adults can savor rum punch — and fire a cannon.
There are three levels of tickets. General admission is $34.99 for adults and $29.99 for children 12 and younger. The Fast Break, which costs $49.99 for adults and $44.99 kids, gives expedited access to the Trick or Treat Trails before 8 p.m. and the Twisted Trails after 8.
Then there’s the VIP experience. For $99.99, people get expedited access and/or seating to all trails and experiences, and their own VIP bar.
There’s limited paid parking (starting at $20) on site in the Queen Mary lots and paid parking starting at $12 at 100 Ocean Gate, including a shuttle to the event. For tickets and more information, go to Shaqtoberfest.com.
Source: Orange County Register
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