For five years now, Ben Lomond resident Kent Diethrick has celebrated Halloween the only way he knows how: with a massive haunted house to benefit local charities.
Diethrick created his first haunted house as a member of the Lower Lakes Area Men’s Association, a charitable organization in the New York and Pennsylvania region.
Originally, Diethrick said, the group was trying to raise money for a scholarship when he broached the idea of a haunted house. The fundraiser proved such a smashing success that it wasn’t long before the organization was able to give six scholarships.
When he moved to California, he figured a similar haunted house would be a great way to help local charities and meet his new community.
Last year’s house of horrors earned $1,000, which Diethrick said he gave to local Girl Scouts who helped with the event and to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
“A lot of people in this area need the help,” he said. “I do this for love, for fun and to meet people.”
Diethrick, who creates and hosts the haunted house with the help of partner-in-crime Carla Richmond, described it as a fairly traditional one, featuring roughly 24 live characters and rooms with different themes, such as shipwrecks. Volunteers help with the scare tactics inside and outside the house.
While Diethrick said he wouldn’t turn anyone away, he asks for a donation of $5 from adults and $3 for children at least 5 years old.
The experience varies, Diethrick said, depending on the age of the audience.
“If people are looking for a scare, we’ll give it to them,” he said, cautioning that groups visiting with younger kids would be treated to a tamer display.
At a glance
WHAT: Kent Diethrick’s haunted house for charity
WHEN: Dusk to 10 p.m. today, Oct. 28, through Monday, Oct. 31.
WHERE: 9280 Old County Road, in Ben Lomond
COST: Donation of $5 adults, $3 children
INFO: 818-5174
Farther afield
Around Santa Cruz County, folks have a wide variety of options for the Halloween weekend.
Today, Oct. 28
**Free scary-face pancakes for kids
When: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: IHOP restaurant, 1549 41st Ave., Capitola
Details: Girls and boys age 12 and younger can get a free Scary Face Pancake — an oversized buttermilk pancake with a whipped topping mouth and strawberry nose, served with two mini Oreo cookies and candy corn on the side, to allow kids to create their own Halloween hotcake.
Info: 475-0540
**Ninth annual Scotts Valley Haunted House
When: 7 to 11 p.m.
Where: Scotts Valley High School, 555 Glenwood Drive, in Scotts Valley
Details: A cursed prison-themed haunted house, “Souls of the Past,” will be put on by high school students. The show is not recommended for children younger than 10.
Cost: $8
Info: sv************@gm***.com or www.scottsvalleyhauntedhouse.com/
Saturday, Oct. 29
**UCSC Historic District walking tour
When: 10:30 a.m. to noon
Where: Barn Theater parking lot at University of California, Santa Cruz, corner of High and Bay streets.
Details: Historian Frank Perry will share stories of buried treasure, a duel, the Cowell family, lime making, and mysterious happenings. The walk is suitable for adults and older children.
Cost: $3 suggested donation
Info: http://limeworks.ucsc.edu
**Lompico Community Center Halloween Bash
When: 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Zayante Fire Station, 7700 E. Zayante Road, in Felton
Details: Free carnival games, a cake walk, a silent auction and a raffle are planned.
Info: 335-4084 or wh******@ya***.com
**Ninth annual Scotts Valley Haunted House
When: 7 to 11 p.m.
Details: See today’s listings, above, for specifics.
**Costume ball to support troops
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 2259 Seventh Ave., in Santa Cruz
Details: Live music, costume contests and no-host bar are planned. Proceeds will be used to send care packages to deployed soldiers.
Cost: $20 donation at the door
Info: sc************@gm***.com
**Malone’s 30th annual Halloween party
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Malone’s Grille, 4402 Scotts Valley Drive, in Scotts Valley
Details: The night will include a costume contest for best costume and best couple, along with a karaoke contest featuring “Monster Mash” and “Thriller.”
Info: 438-2244 or www.malonesgrille.com
Sunday, Oct. 30
**Animal shelter festival
When: 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, 2200 Seventh Ave., in Santa Cruz
Details: Live music, a pet costume contest with celebrity judges, special adoption prices, food and fun activities will support the community animal shelter during the Halloween Hoe-Down Fall Festival of Fun
Cost: $5 donation
Info: 454-7200 or www.scanimalshelter.org
Monday, Oct. 31
**Trick-or-treat in Boulder Creek
When: 5 to 7 p.m.
Where: Downtown Boulder Creek
Details: Merchants will be open to give out candy to trick-or-treaters. Donations to help light up the town can be placed in “cauldrons on the corner.”
Info: 338-9355
**Halloween open house party
When: 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Boulder Creek Rec Hall, 13333 Middleton Ave., in Boulder Creek
Details: The party will include a haunted house, games, a bounce house and a “Thriller” performance at 7:15 p.m.
Info: 338-4144 or www.bcrpd.org
