Scare tactics

Scuffling through the “doctor’s office” portion of the Waynesboro First Aid Crew haunted house, Whitney McCormick rattled off the key ingredients.

“Ten feet, 10 heads and two brains,” she said, motioning to a refrigerator full of appendages. “We’re going to have a surgeon and patient, slinging things around here.”

For the first time, the crew is hosting a haunted house organized by members of the junior crew. They’ve already logged three days of setup in preparation for Friday and Saturday night. It’s free to enter the haunted house.

McCormick, junior crew president, walked through what used to be the crew’s multi-purpose room ideal for banquets and bingo, now divided by black plastic from floor to ceiling. There is a spider room, the doctor’s office, a clown hall and polka-dot room.

Crew members were also working on a maze outfitted with strobe lights and fog machines.

“Your call can finish the clown room,” McCormick said Wednesday to a gaggle of her male peers taking a break.

“What needs to be done?” they asked.

“The clown heads,” she said, “need to be hung up.”

Smooth selling

Despite a gloomy national forecast for Halloween retail sales, some area merchants said they’ve noticed costumes and candy flying off shelves.

The National Retail Federation anticipated consumers would spend 15 percent less than last year on Halloween items. Nearly 30 percent of surveyed consumers said their Halloween spending has been reduced because of the economic downturn, according to the NRF. The federation anticipated fewer people in costumes, less candy consumption and a drop in pumpkin carving. Young people especially, ages 18 to 24, were anticipated to spend less than $70 on the holiday, down from more than $80 the past two years.

Yet at K-Mart on West Main Street, sales looked consistent, said Steve Claffey, store manager.

“They’re pretty wild and crazy in here today,” he said Wednesday.

Retailers are hoping for a boost with the holiday falling on a Saturday.

“I think [sales] are going to be an increase over last year,” he said.

Decorations aren’t selling as well, he said, but costumes are still moving.

At Zelma’s on South New Street in Staunton more accessories were selling, perhaps to add to homemade costumes, said owner Kimberly Berry.

“Vampires, of course, are huge,” she said. “Good quality, reusable fangs. That’s one of our top sellers.”

Like others, Berry is expecting a last-minute rush on Saturday, a trend she has noticed during previous recessions.

Playing it safe

In addition to typical Halloween safety precautions, area police will be targeting drunken drivers Saturday night.

“It’s a double danger,” said Staunton police Officer Lisa Klein. “You have parents out drinking combined with children out trick-or-treating.”

Klein said police advise children to wear reflective clothing.

More parties are expected because of the holiday falling on a Saturday, authorities said.

Waynesboro police will send out an extra officer targeting drunk drivers, said Sgt. Kelly Walker.

In addition to the danger of intoxicated driving, Klein said court costs and fines frequently rise to thousands of dollars.

“It’s much cheaper to pay for a cab,” she said.

Scare schedule

Tonight

6 p.m.: Boo Party at the Waynesboro Public Library includes spooky storytelling and crafting. Costumes welcome.

6 and 7 p.m.: “Ladies in Black: Victorian Mourning Rituals and Superstitions” features local teacher E. Jane Sherman at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library in Staunton. Candelight tours of the “Mourning in the Manse” exhibit follow. Admission is $5.

Friday

3 to 5 p.m.: The Halloween Treat Trail invites children to collect candy at downtown Waynesboro businesses. A candy bag can be picked up at Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Home. Children can guess the weight of a pumpkin and compete in a costume contest at 5:05 p.m. at city hall at the corner of West Main and Wayne.

7 to 11 p.m.: The Waynesboro First Aid Crew hosts a haunted house at the station at 201 W. Broad St. Admission is free. Drivers are asked to park across from the station in the Constitution Park lot. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

8 p.m.: Ghost Stories of Waynesboro departs from Stone Soup Books to the Plumb House on West Main Street. Storytellers will recount Civil War and local haunting stories. Cost is $10 and benefits the Waynesboro Heritage Foundation. Reservations can be made by calling (540) 943-0084.

7 and 9:30 p.m.: Ghosts of Staunton tours with the Valley Paranormal Club. Call (540) 448-2743 or (540) 448-0094 for reservations and details.

Saturday

5 p.m.: Mt. Vernon Church of the Brethren “Trunk or Treat” and hayride in the church parking lot at 90 Mount Vernon Road in Waynesboro. Soup and sandwich meal follows at 6 p.m. with gospel music. For more information call (540) 337-4039 or (540) 943-8101.

7 to 11 p.m.: The Waynesboro First Aid Crew hosts a haunted house at the station at 201 W. Broad St. Admission is free. Drivers are asked to park across from the station in the Constitution Park lot. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

7 and 9:30 p.m.: Ghosts of Staunton tours with the Valley Paranormal Club. Call (540) 448-2743 or (540) 448-0094 for reservations and details.

8 p.m.: Halloween dance at Harley’s Place on West Main Street. Dancing continues until 2 a.m. with The Goodson Band performing and a costume contest. Call (540) 943-7444 for details.