Guide: Halloween 2011

The spookiest day of the year is right around the corner… have you found your costume yet?

No matter if you’re dressing up for laughs or frights, you’re going to need a place to party! We’ve found some scary (and not-so scary) food-related events and special offers for Halloween family fun and grownup fun.

Check them out below:

• Pumpkins at the Peak (family-friendly event)

When: October 28 from 5-7pm.
Where: Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak | 7677 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ 85020
Details: Resort guests and locals are invited to a fun-filled Halloween festival at the resort’s River Ranch. Over 20 family-friendly activities will be offered, including: face painting, cookie decorating, fortune telling and plenty of costumes! Parents and kids are encouraged to come dressed in costume. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet the Phoenix Fire Department while enjoying live music and tasty snacks.
Cost: Either two cans of food or $5 per person, donated to St. Mary’s Food Bank.
More info: pointehiltonsquawpeak.com

• R.I.P (Relax in Peace) Package Offering

When: October 28-31
Where: Kimpton’s FireSky Resort & Spa | 4925 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Details: Escape the bustle and trickery of Halloween and treat yourself with a fall escape at Kimpton’s FireSky Resort & Spa. The Old Town resort is offering its R.I.P package featuring a spooky in-room treat. From $99 per night, the package can be booked online with the rate code “RIP” or by calling 1-800-528-7867 and mentioning the package by name.
Cost: Starting at $99 per night.
More info: fireskyresort.com

• Halloween Bash at Culinary Dropout

When: October 29 from 8pm-close.
Where: Culinary Dropout | 7135 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 125, Scottsdale, AZ, 85251
Details: Culinary Dropout is rebelling against overpriced cover charges this Halloween by hosting a cover charge-free Halloween Bash. On Saturday before Halloween, head in from 8pm-close to enjoy happy hour food and drink prices, freakishly fun specialty cocktails, plus a DJ all night long. (Note: You must be in costume to enjoy happy hour pricing!) Halloween-themed cocktails include: The Great Pumpkin (Wild Turkey, pumpkin, agave, apple juice and rosemary), the Devil’s Kiss (Devil’s Cut Bourbon, Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey, strawberry simple syrup, lemon juice and Red Hots), Midnight Skky (a mix of lemon juice, simple syrup, St. Germaine Liqueur, triple sex, and Skyy Vodka, topped with lemon lime soda and a drizzle of Chambord for a bleeding affect), and the Little Blue Dress (lemon juice, blue raspberry syrup, Velvet Falernum, orange juice and Skyy Vodka). The special cocktails will be offered for $9 and served from October 16-November 2.
Cost: No cover change. Show up in costume to enjoy happy hour pricing.
More info: foxrc.com or call 480-970-1700.

• Cadillac Ranch’s Annual Haunted Hoedown

When: October 29 from 9pm-2am
Where: Cadillac Ranch | 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway Suite 105, Tempe, AZ 85281
Details: Touted as the best Halloween Party in the East Valley for 4 years strong, attendees will compete for titles in the costume contest at the Haunted Hoedown. Prizes include several high-value gift certificates and $1000 for most creative costume! Categories include: Best Group, Sexiest Guy, Sexiest Girl, and Most Creative Costume. Guest can enjoy spooky drink specials while listening to DJ Paul on the ones and twos, including: $2.50 Dos Equis, $3.00 Sailor Jerry Rums, $4 Milagro Silver, $5 Stoli & Stoli flavors. For more info, visit Facebook.com/CadillacRanchTempe.

• Halloween Specials at British Open Pub

When: October 29-31
Where: British Open Pub | 1334 N Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Details: Spend Halloween at British Open Pub October 29-31. The staff will be decked out in costume and will be offering specials: $2 Bloody Brain Shots, $4 Great Balls of Fire and Meet Your Makers.
Cost: Varies

• Halloween 4-course Fondue Dinner

When: October 31
Where: Melting Pot | All Valley locations
Details: All Melting Pot and Fascinations locations are teaming up to present a fondue dinner, exclusively for their customers on Halloween night. Customers can purchase their tickets to the 4-course Halloween fondue event at three valley Fascinations locations: Greenway (5930 W. Greenway Rd.), Elliot (838 W. Elliot)  and Shea (7337 E. Shea Blvd.) for $35/ticket. Guests are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes for a funky fondue dinner at any of the three Melting Pot locations. Location info at funlove.com and meltingpot.com. Ticket price includes 4 course dinner, a goody bag with a discount to Fascinations, and a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Arizona.
Cost: $35

• RA Sushi’s Boo Bash 2011

When:  October 31 from 8pm-close.
Where: Any of the five Valley locations (Old Town Scottsdale, North Scottsdale, Tempe, Ahwatukee & Mesa)
Details: RA hosts it’s Boo Bash 2011 on Halloween offering guests food and drink specials, a costume contest and a guest DJ. Those dressed to impress in the Boo Bash costume contest will have the opportunity to swipe serious treats, including a $100 RA gift certificate for the first place winner and a $25 RA gift certificate for the second place winner. Enjoy a variety of “Boo Bites” including Voodoo Crispy Chicken (crispy chicken, sautéed with onion, green pepper and Japanese pumpkin tossed in a sesame chile sauce | $6), Vampire Shrimp (lightly battered spicy shrimp and shishito peppers tossed with ramen noodles and chili sauce, served in a crispy lettuce cup | $8), and the Spider Roll (tempura battered Japanese pumpkin, crispy soft shell crab, kaiware sprouts, kani kama crab mix rolled in rice and soy paper, topped with shredded daikon, served with spicy mayo and eel sauce | $10). RA will also be serving “Potent Potions” available for $8 each.
Cost: Varies
More info: To RSVP on Facebook, visit facebook.com/RAsushiArizona.