A sign warns visitors in the Forest of Fright, a haunted forest at Montgomery Farms in Ontario put on by the Ontario Tigers Band Boosters. (The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
Believe it or not, haunted car washes are now a thing, and Blue Bird Express Car Wash is hosting a two-night Halloween event at its location in Ontario that will scare the dirt off any ride.
The event – one of a spooky bounty this week across the county – is called the Tunnel of Terror Haunted Car Wash, and will include both a car wash and a Halloween experience.
Blue Bird operating partner John Fery said “basically you get a clean car for a good cause.”
“We make the car wash itself into the haunted car wash,” Fery said with a chuckle.
Fery said that he has put on the Tunnel of Terror event at his car wash in Denver, the largest of its kind, and donated all the proceeds to charity.
In Ontario, Fery said all the money from the tunnel would go to support the Giggles and Grace Early Learning Center.
The way it works, Fery said, is “we take advantage of the environment we already have. We cover your car in soap anyways. We turn all the lights off, and add some lighting elements to kind of enhance kind of what our car wash monsters will do to you.”
The car wash monsters? They will be Blue Bird’s employees who are encouraged to dress up.
“Lurking in the dark ready to give you a scare,” Fery said.
The event will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, and Friday, Nov. 1 Admission with a car wash included costs $15.
There are also multiple options for the level of scariness available, John said. The normal option, and then a less scary option for younger participants.
“It supports a great cause and it’s pretty fun,” Fery added.
“We are just super excited to support something local in the community and have fun,” Fery said.
Following are some other events on Halloween in Malheur County.
Ontario Haunted House
The city of Ontario is hosting its third annual haunted house Tuesday and Wednesday from dusk to 11 p.m. and on Halloween from dusk to midnight. Tickets are $9. All ticket proceeds will go to the New Hope Day Shelter in Ontario. The event will take place at 16 S.E. 8th Ave., in Ontario and will feature free cotton candy, hot drinks, and rice crispy treats along with outdoor movies, a graffiti wall for selfies, and a costume contest. Sarah Ray Groburg, one of the event organizers, said that a group of community members and actors will staff the creepy asylum, which will cater specifically to teens and young adults.
“We just really want kids not to get in trouble those nights and have a safe place to go,” Groburg said.
On Halloween night, Taqueria Munoz will be outside selling tacos out of its truck to anybody who would rather eat than be scared.
Young children play at Montgomery Farms in Ontario. (The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
Forest of Fright
Local folklore has come to life for Halloween in the Forest of Fright put on by the Ontario Tiger Band Boosters at Montgomery Farms Corn Maze.
Montgomery Farms is located at 668 Airport Road in Ontario, and is within eyesight of a truly eerie place, Malheur Butte.
Legend has it that witches would meet at the top of Malheur Butte to practice dark magic and perform ceremonies and rituals.
To this day, locals speak of the butte in hushed tones.
“There are people who swear that they have seen odd creatures on the butte,” said Jennie Woodruff, the event organizer. The theme of this year’s Forest of Fright, Woodruff said, are the Witches of Malheur Butte.
Woodruff said the event, which runs nightly from dusk to 9 p.m. through Halloween, will raise money for instruments and uniforms for the school’s marching band.
The event will also support scholarships for students who want to pursue a music career in college.
“Candidates for the scholarships are students who intend to take music classes in college,” Woodruff said.
Woodruff said that the experience takes about 20-30 minutes.
“Depending on how scared you are some people go a lot faster than others,” Woodruff said.
Woodruff warned that the experience is not meant for small children, and she cautions anyone who might go through it with their kids.
“It is very scary and we don’t hold back,” Woodruff said.
“So, you bring your kids at your own risk.”
The corn maze is $8 for ages 12 and up, $6 for seniors, and $5 ages four through 11 and free for ages three and under. It costs an extra $4 to enter the Forest of Fright.
“We are looking for a lot of support, so we can get the Ontario Tiger band back up and running,” Woodruff said.
Woodruff said that the band program is growing and that there are about 60 students in the middle school band, and she hopes that they carry on their love of music into high school and college.
“You never really forget the experiences you have in marching band,” Woodruff added. On Oct. 31, Halloween night, there is a variety of events going on in the area.
The theme of Ontario’s Forest of Fright this year is the Witches of Malheur Butte. In local folklore, Malheur Butte was a place where witches would gather to perform rituals and ceremonies. (The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
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• DOWNTOWN TRICK OR TREAT: This event is from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Treats will be handed out on Oregon Street between West Idaho Avenue and Southwest 4th Street and at Moore Park.
• HIGH SCHOOL TRUNK OR TREAT: The event in the Ontario High School parking lot runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 1115 W. Idaho Ave.
• AMERICAN LEGION TRUNK OF TREAT: At the Ontario Veterans Memorial Hall at 25 N.W. 8th St. in Ontario from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is sponsored by the American Legion Post 67, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 67, the Sons of American Legion Squadron 67 and the American Legion Riders.
NYSSA EVENTS
• NYSSA HARVEST PARTY: From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in front of the Nyssa School District Building. The free event will feature carnival games, a bounce house and food.
• NYSSA TRUNK OR TREAT: At the Oregon Trail Arena from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• TRUNK OR TREAT: Cow Hollow Park, 1030 Janeta Ave., will turn into Trunk, Fiesta & Treat from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Bring your trunk and treats to share in the costume parade. Pets welcome. Costumes encouraged.
• NYSSA SENIOR CITIZENS: A Halloween Bingo party begins at 5 p.m.
• TOWN TRICK OR TREAT: City businesses will hand out candy beginning 3:30 p.m. Prospective trick or treaters should look for the “Happy Halloween” pumpkin signs for participating businesses.
VALE TREATS
• DOWNTOWN FUN: Plenty of little goblins and ghosts will hit the streets of Vale for the annual trick-or-treat event sponsored by the Vale Chamber of Commerce. Local businesses decorate and stock up on candy to offer to the children in the late afternoon.
The Vale Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will sponsor a Trunk or Treat at 6 p.m.
News tip? Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected] or 541-473-3377.
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