After an extremely successful unveiling last year, Enchanted is making its triumphant return to Heritage Acres, but with a few twists to make this year even better than last. For its sophomore year, Enchanted has called upon Janet Munsil and Intrepid Theatre to help bring the whole experience to life.
“We are getting strolling performers set up, and commissioning very small-scale theatre pieces that people will happen upon as they walk through,” says Munsil.
Another new addition is the inclusion of a covered, off-site parking facility, as well as a free shuttle-bus service to bring the guests to the site.
“The shuttle buses will be a fun part of the experience,” says Munsil. “We will have storytellers on the buses. It’s about a nine-minute bus ride, so there will be a little bit of entertainment on every shuttle bus; that will be part of the experience, and hopefully it will make people want to go and park their cars and take the shuttle.” (For those who don’t have a car, Gateway Park, the location of the shuttle bus service, is conveniently located on the #75 bus route.)
Masterminding this spectacular event is Alice Bacon of Shine*ola Communications & Events. Tired with the gore and horror of modern Halloween, Bacon decided it was time for something new.
“We’ve created a new tradition for people in our community to celebrate Halloween in a way that is really beautiful, and joyful, and brings back the mystery and the magic of it,” says Bacon.
She explains how in recent years Halloween has taken a “really gruesome turn,” something she wanted Enchanted to steer clear of.
“It also seems to be overpopulated by the Hollywood zombie culture,” says Bacon. “Influenced by really violent movies, it has become a gore fest, and it has become harder and harder to find activities that are suitable for all people; not just small children, but people who don’t want to be bombarded by that kind of imagery. I think Halloween has the potential to be a really beautiful, magical, but eerie and mysterious kind of year.”
And that’s exactly what she has created with Enchanted. Bringing about a vintage vibe to Halloween, this is an event that’s worth the trip.
“I have nothing against a good scare,” says Bacon, “but there should be an alternative to it, and I think we’ve created something for the community that provides that.”
Enchanted
October 28-30
Heritage Acres
$10-15
enchantedhalloween.com