A Bewildering Array of Bewitching Events

Do cemeteries put you in a party mood? Are a cape and fangs your idea of formal wear? Do you believe Freddy Krueger would be a fun date? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, this could be your weekend.

Fear no more if you’ve been haunted by the possibility of being all dressed up with no place to go this weekend. There are many bloodcurdling Halloween activities for children, adults and families:

A simple garlic necklace might be an appropriate accessory to wear to the 16th annual Knott’s Scary Farm. Elaborate props, special effects and costumed creatures create an eerie environment to keep visitors on guard after dark.

But the biggest nightmare might be getting into the park. Today and Sunday are sold out, so play it safe and purchase tickets for Monday in advance, from Knott’s, Ticketron or Ticketmaster, for $16.95.

Inside, even the monsters in the public-relations department (who reluctantly allowed a couple of harmless reporters to enter) aren’t a match for the frightening ghouls roaming the cobweb-covered amusement park. The “Baits” Motel and Toxic Terrors are a ghast , but the regular attractions (such as Montezuma’s Revenge, Corkscrew) still supply some of the best chills. Elvira’s “Shock and Rock Show” is a pleasant break from the wandering goons, but don’t expect to be frightened, just entertained. Knott’s doesn’t recommend the event for children younger than 13. (They would probably have nightmares till they’re 45.)

The Queen Mary and Spruce Goose (end of Long Beach Freeway, Long Beach) will shiver your timbers from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. today, Sunday and Monday. The ship is “decked out” for its first “Queen Scary,” which includes an encounter with Jack the Ripper on the dark streets of London Towne, the mysterious Lady in Red and other frightening skits on the ship, along with a Halloween Ball (dancing and libations) and futuristic fright flight under the Spruce Goose dome. No costumes allowed. Tickets, at the gate, are $17. Information: (213) 435-3511.

If you would rather have your spirits lifted in the daylight, the Art Deco Society is undertaking its annual jaunt through the Hollywood Cemetery today at 10 a.m. (meet at the wishing well inside the gate). Highlights of the cemetery tour, at 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, include numerous styles of architecture and a history of early Hollywood legends and pioneers. The $5 tour fee benefits the Art Deco Society.

For a more conventional celebration, head for the North Hills Jaycees’ 14th annual Factory of Nightmares at Hansen Dam Sports Center, 11850 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace. The Haunted House is open today and Monday, 6 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m.

A frightening cast of characters will star in various skits in the haunted house, based on the horror movies “Aliens,” “Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Friday the 13th.” The skits aren’t recommended for youngsters, but the event also includes a carnival, games, food and community booths and live entertainment. The carnival is open today and Sunday from noon to 5:30 p.m. Admission to the Haunted House is $6. Information: (818) 365-7773.

If a live monster is no fiend of yours, you might find a theatrical illusion more suitable. Flurd Burd’s Fantasy House (for youngsters in search of Halloween treasure) and Hades House (for braver souls), Huntington Center, 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, are being sponsored by the Boys Club of Garden Grove.

“We’re providing . . . theatrically created illusions and fantasies, not the endless screaming, gore and strobe-light rooms,” Geoffrey Gread, event coordinator, said.

Fantasy House hours: today, noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., and Monday, 7 to 10 p.m. Admission: adults, $3; children 11 and younger, $2.

Hades House: today, 9 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday, 6 to 10 p.m. Admission: $3. Information: Garden Grove Boys Club, (714) 537-1465, or Huntington Center, (714) 897-2533.

If these events aren’t haunting enough, here are other community-based events:

An impromptu nightlong Mardi Gras in West Hollywood will be in full swing by the witching hour Moday night on Santa Monica Boulevard. Costume contests, dancing at local clubs will spill out onto Santa Monica Boulevard (closed from La Cienega Boulevard to Almont Drive from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.). Parking at Pacific Design Center $1.50.

A Halloween carnival sponsored by the Tustin Community Services Department is set for Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Clifton C. Miller Community Center, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin. Activities include games, costume contests, a pumpkin contest, free treats and refreshments for sale. Admission is free. Information: (714) 544-8890, Ext. 220.

A Halloween Street Festival is haunting downtown Long Beach today, Sunday and Monday, with arts and crafts, entertainment (beginning at noon in the amphitheater), a carnival and (today only from noon to 5 p.m.) a Haunted House. KIIS-FM radio’s “Coach” Charley Wright will keep his eye on the downtown business costume contest at noon on Monday. Registration at 11 a.m.

On Monday, adults can trick or treat from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Pine Avenue, children from 6 to 8 p.m., in Long Beach Plaza. Information: (213) 436-4259.

Hallowed Haunting Grounds, 4343 Babcock Ave., Studio City, has several house guests who’ve flown in for the weekend: Watch for ghosts hanging around a graveyard display; also crypts, shrouded figures and special effects. Dare to peek into the haunted nursery and seance rooms, where a phantom organist entertains. Sunday and Monday after dark (the darker the better). Admission is free. Information: (818) 763-0582.

Q106 Radio is co-sponsoring a Haunted House this weekend at the San Diego Museum of Man, 1350 El Prado, Balboa Park. Mummies, hairy Neanderthals and “skeletons” will greet visitors today, Sunday and Monday, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Bring someone to hang onto as you wind through the labyrinth of grisly graveyards, dark stairways, a mad doctor’s laboratory and a Medieval torture chamber. Admission: $3.50; children 11 and younger, $2. Information: (619) 239-2001.

The city of Anaheim’s Orange County Fall Festival, themed Hollywood Halloween II, is today and Sunday at the corner of Harbor and Broadway in Anaheim. Street fair today, from 11 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Also a beer garden, carnival and entertainment. Mickey Mouse is the Grand Marshall for the 65th annual festival parade today at 5 p.m. A Haunted House at First Interstate Bank today, Sunday and Monday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is $3.50. Children 10 and younger can brave a Haunted House at Anaheim Plaza, 500 N. Euclid Ave., today, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission: $1. Trick or treat from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday on Anaheim city streets or at Anaheim Plaza. Information: (714) 758-0222 or (714) 999-5191.

Valley Senior Service and Resource Center, 18255 Victory Blvd., Reseda, will hold a free Bewitching Bazaar today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Included are costume contests, games, prizes, pumpkin-carving contests and a children’s section. Items for sale include baked goods, books and plants, also old, new and handmade merchandise. Proceeds will support services for seniors.

The annual Halloween Carnival, sponsored by the Torrance Parks and Recreation Department, will be held 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd. Children’s costume parade at 7 p.m.; contests and games (10 tickets for $2.50). Free admission. Food booths. Information: (213) 618-2930.

In Arcadia, the Wicked Witch of the West will set out on her broomstick to spook Munchkinland at a screening of “The Wizard of Oz” at a Children’s Halloween Movie Party today and Sunday at noon. The location is the Santa Anita Cinema, Fashion Park Mall, Huntington Drive and Baldwin Avenue. Games, costume contest, treats. Admission: $2. Information: (818) 445-8768. Culver City’s Teen Center, a division of the Department of Human Services, will host its annual Haunted House today, Sunday and Monday, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Municipal Pool, 4117 Overland Ave. Special appearance by Ken Sagoes, who played Kincade in “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday. Admission: adults, $3; children 6-9 $2; 5 and younger free. Information: (213) 202-5693.

“A Carnival of Countries” is being held today at St. Mel Parish School, 20820 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Included are a petting zoo, pony rides, bingo, international food stations, a silent auction, games and prizes. The carnival is a major fund-raiser for St. Mel. Free admission. Information: (818) 340-1924.

Run screaming in horror to the nearest L.A. City Recreation and Parks Department center to find cobwebbed corridors, rattling chains and torture chambers this weekend. For a rundown on which centers offer supervised programs for safe celebrating, call your local park or center. Scheduled activities include costume parades, contests, movies, carnivals, rides and magic shows.

Children are encouraged to have teddy bears in tow at UNICEF’s Teddy Bear Halloween Picnic Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Crystal Springs Drive in Griffith Park (near the merry-go-round). Free treats, entertainment and contests for youngsters of all ages. The event is a thank you for the successful “Trick or Treat for UNICEF” program. Free parking.