NBA all-star Shaquille O’Neal is throwing a one of a kind Halloween bash this October. Shaqtoberfest will take place near probable ghost ship, The Queen Mary, in Long Beach, CA.
Shaqtoberfest will be “…the ultimate Halloween destination for family-friendly trick-or-treating, ghoulish games, delicious treats, specialty libations, frightfully fun nighttime haunted trails, and exciting live entertainment that encapsulates O’Neal’s playful personality.”
O’Neal is teaming up with ABG Entertainment and Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, the same producers of the annual LA Haunted Hayride. This interactive experience will officially open to the public in late September, and run through Halloween.
It will feature six thrilling Halloween-themed areas for guests to explore. Each will have Halloween trails, games, live entertainment, food and beverage vendors, and more. All of this will have O’Neal’s distinctive voice over.
The afternoon will be for families and children of all ages. There will be trick-or-treat offerings and children’s entertainment. They even encourage kids to dress up in their favorite costumes. Once night hits, the tone will turn more towards the scary side of Halloween. In contrast, when “the energetic lights and music turn on as the witching hour begins, unleashing O’Neal’s ghoulish minions into the haunted trails and midways as the spirits of Shaqtoberfest are brought to life.”
“Not everyone wants to be scared, but everyone wants to celebrate Halloween,” says Christopher Stafford, Chief Executive (and founding partner) at Thirteenth Floor Entertainment. So, Shaqtoberfest looks to be much more inclusive to a younger and/or less thrill seeking audience.
Though visitors looking to hop aboard the legendary Queen Mary may be a bit disappointed, the ship is currently undergoing $5 million worth of rehabilitation work. Which means it will be inaccessible for guests. All of the events and vendors will be located on the 65 acres around it.
For more details and live updates, please visit the official website here.
