Hey, y’all. I’m excited - how ‘bout you? It’s, maybe, our biggest party weekend of the year - Halloween! Hundreds from near and far will be roaming around town hitting the many Halloween parties offered by our town’s party/dance venues. I’ve made up a quick glance guide for you on page 25 to help you plan your nights. But I’ll be happy to give you a little more here after I say what a blast we all had at the Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill closing last Sun. The music was great, as anticipated, with so many visiting singers such as Lauren Glick, Chris Button, Billie Carlins, Jimmy Ashcraft & myself joining Randy Lee & Jimmy R. Where were you Linda? We missed you. We’re gonna miss everyone there and we look forward to seeing you all in the Spring.
    M.R. Ducks will be the scene of this weekend’s closing party on Sat. with the crazy and rambunctious sounds of Johnny Bling. Let’s hope that Hurricane Sandy doesn’t dampen our plans ‘cause we’ve just got to close Ducks with a Bling party, right? Take note that they plan to start early - 2pm. So don’t be late.
    The Skye Bar at Galaxy 66 will be holding a closing party this weekend, too. They couldn’t decide which day to choose with the weather being so iffy ... so they’ll just party all weekend long at the swankest bar/restaurant in town - the Skye Bar. DJ Rob Cee spins the tunes on Sat. night at the Skye and the Philly George Project will lay down their wonderful music on Fri. at Galaxy 66.
    Where am I going for Halloween you may want to know? Certainly not everywhere - haven’t figured out that cloning thing yet - but Coconut Times will have costumed photographers hitting the hot spots to capture you in costume - so get creative. Pictures will appear in the next issue, Nov. 9. Yep, end of season, skipping a week to have time to assemble all the pictures for you.
    Two places are getting the jump on the action by having their parties on Fri. That’s the 19th Hole Bar & Grille in West Ocean City and Matteo’s Salsa Loco in Fenwick. Both have music and both have great food.
    A couple places are waiting ‘til the actual day - All Hallow’s Eve - to commemorate the rising of the dead. Wed., Oct. 31, BJ’s will stage their annual Happy Hour Halloween party with music by Teenage Rust & The Fabulous Rustettes beginning at 5 pm. Keeping it casual and fun, costumes are welcome but not necessary for a good time here.
    Hooters of West Ocean City is excited to be throwing their first Halloween Costume party and they’re offering prizes for the top 3. The Aaron Howell Band will provide the music and I understand the band will be in costume too. Don’t want to spoil the surprise so I’ll just say - I’m gonna be there to get a picture of this one.
    Seacrets always holds a party on Halloween night for the Locals and so this year it will be on Wed. as well. Here you can win a 2-night stay at the Seacrets Hotel if you have the winning costume.
    The biggest costume turnout of the night, however, will be at Smitty McGee’s on Rt. 54. The place is always bustling with almost everyone in costume. Cash prizes are awarded in many categories as well as for the top 3. The creativity always amazes me. Lovable DJ Wax will host the proceedings.
    The folks at High Stakes are going to party on Tues. night when Chris Button & Joe Mama will be entertaining. They’ll have prizes for the best costumes.
    Now on to the four big ones to be held on Sat. night. de Lazy Lizard’s party has really grown the last two years. I’ve been there lately and the decorations are very cool. They are offering cash prizes for the best costumes and if last year was any sign, this year will be awesome! My favorite is still the Mad Hatter.
    Fager’s Island is always a hot spot for this annual event and they too offer cash prizes for the best costumes. Speaking of costumes, those Rock Bottom boys will be showing up on Fri. night in their KISS costumes but they’re not coming for any competition - they’re coming TO PLAY!! Can’t wait to hear and see them again. So put Fager’s on your Fri. lineup as well. Anyway, those crazy guys, and a gal, of Animal House will be playing on Sat.     Historically one of the biggest and classiest venues of all for Halloween is the Ocean Club in the Clarion Fontainebleau Hotel. Every year the most amazing costumes show up to compete for the $500 grand prize. Power Play will provide the music. Be sure to get there before 10 pm to sign up.
    The granddaddy of them all is the party at Seacrets. People arrive by the bus load (no kidding) from cities in Pennsylvania and elsewhere to participate in this annual ritual. What’s at stake here? A trip for two to Jamaica! That’s right - and that’s what makes everyone so competitive. We’ve seen Transformers, Airplanes, Avatars, Mermaids,  and even Jesus walking on the water last year. Full Circle will begin the evening at 5 pm and they always have some cool costumes. Jon Maurer Trio will take over at 9 and Total Whiteout will rock it from the big stage. Please party safe.