MOONFEST
It’s hurricane season, the weather is dropping below 80 degrees and pumpkin spice lattes are back at Strbks, all signs that West Palm Beach’s MOONFEST is lurking around the corner, waiting to spook more than 70,000 scantily clad mischief makers in South Florida. Blocks of horror, entertainment and booze-flinging await the coolest costumed ghouls along Clematis Street on October 28.
The music-filled bar crawl is celebrating its 25th Anniversary, which should make for one hell of a good time. First-timers should be prepared for plenty of debauchery, which is of course all too common on All Hallow’s Eve. Every kind of group costume is to be expected, from the cast of Gilligan’s Island (complete with makeshift boat) to the cast of Game of Thrones. More than 20 DJs and bands will spatter Clematis Street as vendors offer food and bars like Respectable Street and O’Shea’s, Lost Weekend, Voltaire, Hullaballoo and Kapow offer terrifyingly far-from-sinister drink specials.
Creepy additions this year include two new bone-chilling haunted houses for those brave enough to enter, a 10,000 square-foot maze, and a demented alley by Subculture Coffee (509 Clematis Street). The full lineup has yet to be announced, but includes Surfer Blood, King Complex and Octo Gato (past bands include Best Coast and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah). The best-dressed souls could be up for a $1,000 cash prize before the headliner performs. Electronic music will specifically be located at the end of the 400 block of the street (near the Mandel Public Library).
The two prepaid entrances are at Quadrille Blvd. north and south of Clematis Street. Throughout the presale period, organizers will be drawing from purchasers and giving away a free VIP upgrade, which includes a private entrance to the festival, a delicious food spread, a private tent, an open bar with premium liquor and beer, and special scare areas. The cemetery has been expanded this year and relocated to the front of the city building on the 300 block. If the event’s Facebook page holds true, passholders will also be granted an acre of moon land. Either millennials are dreaming, or this is Halloween Valhalla.
Twenty-five years of possessed South Floridians coming together to scare and be scared should be celebrated in a big way. Moonfest is certain to deliver big this year.
MOONFEST will take place Saturday, October 28 from 8pm on the 100-500 blocks of Clematis Street, West Palm Beach. General admission, $7; haunted house, $5; VIP pass, $55 (all during the month of September; prices will increase). 21 and over; ID required. www.moonfest.me.
500 BLOCK MAIN STAGE:
Surfer Blood, The Cattlefish Fritter (Japan), OCTO GATO, Space Coast Ghosts
300 BLOCK STAGE:
Calm Bomb, Happy Hour, Sunnyvale, The Muggles, Southern Tier
100 BLOCK STAGE:
Jackal & Hyde, Afrobeta, King Complex, DJ XtaC, Michael Mayo, Beat Thief
~ Olivia Feldman
