Theater has second take on outdoor spookiness

Last year, the Covid-19 pandemic drove the County Seat Theater Company's annual Halloween show outdoors. With rave reviews, the theater will offer a parking lot show again this year. The Halloween Spooktacular will take place on three evenings, Oct. 28-30, in the back parking lot of the Cloquet theater.

It's a two-part offering: The night begins with a drive-thru haunt down Spooktacular Alley beginning at 6:30 p.m. Spectators will view entertaining and spooky scenes from the safety of a car while listening to recorded ghost stories told by actors on a car radio frequency.

Once parked, audience members can partake in a number of events in the back lot, including concessions, goodie bags for kids, free hot chocolate, a silent movie and various Halloween activities. The evening will conclude with a 25-minute Halloween variety show on the outdoor stage at 7:30 p.m.

This year the theater is encouraging families, businesses or groups to participate in the Spooktacular Alley by creating a haunted area and providing ghouls 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. There are 12 spaces available for haunting. Currently the Reach Mentoring group and a few individual families have signed up. Contact general manager Joel Soukkala at 218-451-0715 to get involved. Cash and prizes will be awarded.

The event is family friendly and open to the public. There is limited parking available, so reserving a parking spot is recommended. Call the box office at 218-878-0071. Tickets are a suggested donation of $5 per person or $20 per car. Proceeds will go toward the theater's pandemic relief fund.

Editor's note: This story was updated to change the number of shows after the Wednesday night event was cancelled.