By Dave Schwab

Monster Bash’s stilt walkers promise an epic event

Shockingly, Monster Bash — San Diego’s not-to-miss blockbuster Halloween celebration — originally started as a replacement event.

Developed as an alternative October event to Rocktoberfest and tasked with attracting people to the Gaslamp Quarter during a slower time of the year, the inaugural Monster Bash took up just one city block, Fifth Avenue between J and K streets.

Sixteen years later, the event is now identified as San Diego’s largest Halloween-themed outdoor block party, expanding to cover eight city blocks, moving its current footprint into the adjacent neighborhood.

Typically sold out, the Dos Equis-sponsored Monster Bash returns this year to its haunts in the Gaslamp Quarter and East Village Saturday, Oct. 29, from 6 p.m. to midnight.

The annual frightfest culminates at 11 p.m. with the infamous Monster Bash Costume Contest, where finalists take to the stage to win the applause of the crowd vying for a $5,000 cash prize.

Staged annually by the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation and SoCo Productions Inc., and produced by McFarlane Promotions, Inc., Monster Bash draws thousands of revelers to a devilishly conceived and executed over-the-top Halloween blowout party.

Downtown’s signature event has become nationally known for its trademark stilt walkers, go-go girls and thousands of wildly costumed patrons, as well as for its live music on five creepily customized stages with the following themes; Doll House, Winter Whitelands, Scary Tales, Dia de los Muertos, and a VIP stage.

This year’s wicked “realms,” created on various sets, include a colorless landscape with disturbing black creatures lurking in the shadows. Also featured will be streetwalking “discarded” dolls, and a nod to the Mexican holiday for remembering the deceased and supporting their spiritual journey.

What can ghouls and gals expect from this year’s frightful extravaganza?

“We’re excited about working to articulate our [themed] sets making them more three-dimensional,” said Laurel McFarlane, noting one eerie set involves a dollhouse with creepy faces in a 10-foot-high structure accommodating a DJ.

McFarlane noted that the Winter Whitelands realm will be an all-white takeoff on the “White Walkers,” of the epic “Game of Thrones” HBO series.

“Our Scary Tales set is a take on the darker side of Grimm’s Fairy Tales,” she said. “This year we’re also doing a ’90s Horror House, a fun spoof with Pamela Anderson and sharks attacking.”

A highlight each year of the Halloween-inspired madness is what Background Productions, a full-service entertainment company, brings to the show.

“Each year, Monster Bash calls for new customized stilt characters, it ends up pushing us all to think outside the box and create custom larger-than-life stilt characters to entertain and scare attendees,” said Leila Penix, Background’s co-owner, producer and performer, adding that this year they are working on a “creepy crew of characters.”

“Building the stilt characters from the ground up is why we keep doing events like this,” Penix said. “We love the process, from imagination to budgets, costume creation to expressing the character through the fabric and masks. And finally, dealing with the adrenaline of the unknowns that always happen at large-scale events, to feeling the rush when a guest runs in fear from our creepy characters — we thrive on it.”

Since its inception, Monster Bash has strived to involve and benefit the local community. Producer McFarlane said she continues to incorporate a philosophy of giving back.

Over the years, Monster Bash has supported the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation with substantial donations that were used to fund its annual historic children’s Fallback Festival. When San Diego was devastated by wildfires, a portion of the event’s gate sales also went to local animal shelters to assist in the care of displaced pets.

Since 2012, a portion of revenue from the event’s VIP program goes towards projects that develop and enhance East Village as San Diego’s livable urban village.

McFarlane said Monster Bash is a year-round planning effort and its biggest challenge is working with the community to ensure things go smoothly, as well as finding new and creative ways to entertain guests and keep them coming back.

“You just can’t do the same footprint every year,” she said. “You’ve got to change it, make sure it works for everyone.”

Monster Bash now is primarily headlined by nationally recognized DJs and hip-hop performers, with Too $hort featured in the VIP area and at the after-party at FLUXX Nightclub.

Several rounds of lineups and entertainment options are analyzed for months to develop the best grouping of performances that will provide the most amazing night possible for guests.

“We want to create a transformational experience for the attendees, and use the music to help define the variance between the varying stage themes,” said McFarlane. “We are proud to book up-and-coming talent as performers.”

Why is Monster Bash McFarlane’s personal favorite to produce and promote?

“I just love to be creative,” she said. “With Halloween, there are no boundaries. St. Patrick’s Day is green, and with Mardi Gras you have beads. But with Halloween — you can dream up whatever you want.”

Monster Bash is a 21-and-up event. It takes place Oct. 29, from 6 p.m.–midnight and encompasses eight city blocks, bordered by Market Street, J Street, Sixth and Eighth avenues. The main entrance is located at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Market Street and there will be a drop-off point for Uber riders nearby. For tickets and information, visit mcfarlanepromotions.com or call 619-233-5008. For details on street closures, visit tinyurl.com/za7k3an.

— Dave Schwab can be reached at [email protected].