Our favorite haunts
Marty and Sandy Steinhagen went all out on their Vikings costumes, earning them a win at the Heartrock Wines/Crosstime Saloon Halloween Party.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Celebrity sightings at the Heartrock Wines/Crosstime Saloon Halloween party.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Part of the allure of dressing up for Halloween is getting to play as another character.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Jack’s Club took a different approach to itsHhalloween party, bring a club type vibe, complete with a smoke machine and laser lights.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Every flavor of costume turned out at the Jack’s Club Haloween Party.
Photos by Mandi Bateman The employees of the Kootenai River Brewing Company, all decked out for their Friday night Halloween party. Front from left: Kimberly Helsper, Chelsea Hartman, Summer Peterson and Jayden Attaway. Looming over the others is Jeremiah Holes, portraying ‘Death.’
Photo by Mandi Bateman KISS showed up at the Jack’s Club Halloween party.
Photo by Mandi Bateman The cozy, well decorated atmosphere of Heartrock Wines/Crosstime Saloon’s Halloween party had customers laughing and having a good time.
Photo by Mandi Bateman With people already in costume, the added laser lights and fog machine added a spooky element to Jack’s Club.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Melayne Stevens partying hard at the Heartrock Wines/Crosstime Saloon costume party.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Assistant manager Kimberly Helsper and server Summer Peterson kept the Halloween spirit going during the Kootenai River Brewing Company’s Halloween party.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Guests at the Heartrock Wines/Crosstime Saloon Halloween party enjoyed a buffet meal including brisket, ribs, and chicken.
Courtesy Photo Bonners Ferry Herald Editor Mandi Bateman went undercover to get the story about the Halloween parties in downtown Bonners Ferry.
BONNERS FERRY — Wearing costumes on Halloween dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. As the farmer’s crops died, the Celtic people would light bonfires and don disguises, in hopes of fooling and warding off spirits or ghosts, to protect their land throughout the upcoming winter.
Today, the wearing of costumes for Halloween is a favorite for all ages, not just children. In lieu of trick or treating, adults look for the excuse to put on a costume, from simple to elaborate, and play for an evening.
Businesses in downtown Bonners Ferry were happy to oblige, welcoming their customers by throwing Halloween parties.
The Kootenai River Brewing Company held its costume contest on Friday, Oct. 27. The band, Rural 508, kept the customers lively, as did the staff, who got into the spirit with a medley of costumes.
The standout costume was the towering form of Death, played by server Jeremiah Holes. “Everyone is enjoying the festivities that we have been doing, especially Jeremiah being who he is, right now,” said assistant manager Kimberly Helsper. “He had a lot of the customers and employees crying from laughing so hard. It’s pretty awesome.”
All customers received a free ticket for the door prizes that were drawn every half hour, giving the winner a choice of a growler grunt, Oktoberfest T-shirt, or a mug.
“I want to personally thank all of the KRBC staff for getting involved in this event tonight with the costume party,” said Helsper. “They are awesome at what they do, and they make it very eventful and fun to be around.”
On Saturday, October 28, two downtown businesses threw costume parties. The first to get the party started was the combination of Heartrock Wines and Crosstime Saloon. The businesses were elaborately decorated and they drew a large crowd of costumed guests.
“We had a fantastic evening and a superb turnout,” said Heartrock Wines owner Lillian Lonborg. “The food was demolished — brisket, pork ribs and chicken thighs plus sides ... topped off with a Raspberry Moscato Marble cake made by Nora Leach Robbins.”
Sandy and Marty Steinhagen dressed as Lagertha and Ragnar from the television series Vikings. “It’s one of our favorite shows,” said Sandy Steinhagen. “Who wouldn’t want to be a Viking?”
The couple spent two weeks perfecting their costumes, from constructing shields, customizing clothing, and perfecting makeup and hairstyles. Sandy Steinhagen even shaved part of her husband’s head, tattooing it with eyeliner.
Their hard work paid off, taking first prize in the costume contest against stiff competition. “It was honestly surprising as to the sheer number of people who put in so much time and effort into putting together elaborate costumes and characters,” said Sandy Steinhagen. “We knew Kris and Lillian had put out some major effort and creativity with their own outfits so we were just inspired to make ours the best we could.”
As the party at Heartrock and Crosstime slowed, the Halloween party at Jack’s Club was just getting started. With a club type vibe, complete with a DJ, smoke machine, and laser lights, it drew a different type crowd. The high energy, well costumed guests included a group dressed up as the rock band, KISS.
DJ Tee kept the party hopping, while the friendly, well dressed ladies and the door made sure that everyone who entered was over 21.
Even before Halloween officially arrived, the businesses of downtown Bonners Ferry offered three different ways for people to get dressed up and enjoy the holiday — adult style.