Almost Time!
February 15th, 2025
Shout out to Christine Martin for helping us make this such a great event.
Saturday, February 17th from 5 PM to 9 PM.
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Halloween comes twice a year!
Join us at the Historic Clark Chateau for the return of SECOND HALLOWEEN! This event is Saturday February 15th from 5 to 9pm and is FREE to the public.
We've found by experiment that making the party free raised more than ever before for the MT Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and for the Clark Chateau and it's free youth programs.
We'll have a cauldron at the entrance to collect donations towards the causes we support, and various other fun fundraisers going on through the night. If you can't afford to pay, come play with us anyway! We'll have a slice of pizza and some yummy alcohol-free drinks, lots of candy, and fun for you. If you can afford to give a little more, thoughtfully consider supporting our causes.
So far, we have confirmed that there will be:
- Silent Auction
- 50/50 drawing
- Costume Contests with several entry categories:
Scariest, Cutest, Silliest, and Overall Best
- Pumpkin Decorating in the Art Room
- Maximillian's Game Room with fun little prizes
- Alcohol-free mocktail bar for all ages
- Sound Geek's Giant Dance Party in the Chateau's grand ballroom
- Buffet in the Gallery (I won't forget water this time)
- Storytime with Jack Skellington
- Demonstrations and explanations from Bozeman Paranormal in the Dining Room
- Spooky walkthrough display on the 3rd floor
- And as always, far too much candy!
How to Help
Volunteer
We can always use an extra hand. If you're available to help with setup, teardown, cleanup, volunteer relief during the event, or want to volunteer to do a specific job, leave a message with Gabriel at 406-490-0105 and we'll get you all the details.
Funding the Event
We're used to working on a shoestring, and just $20 can go a long ways toward making the night better. With $100 we can make the night spectacular! If you care to donate to the cause, your donation may be tax deductible. Call the Chateau at 406-565-5600 or email mmaccione@bsb.mt.gov for further details.
Donate to the Silent Auction
Are you an artist, collector, or business owner? Our Silent Auction is a fun way to raise a lot of funds toward some great causes. So far we've got works from local artists as well as baskets from The Geek Emporium and Bozeman Paranormal.
Food
We try to put out a good spread every year, and it's the thing that drains our coffers the most. Bring donuts, drinks (no alcohol, please), chips, pretzels, or whatever your favorite party food is to share.
Prizes
Hyping up the costume contest and keeping the best cosplayers coming back for another shot at some great prizes is what kicks the atmosphere of any costume party up to 11. If you'd like to contribute prizes, call Christine at the Chateau at 406-565-5600 or email www.clarkchateau.org to arrange drop-off.
Just be there!
There are two sides to this event and they're equally important. Raising money is necessary to help our charities meet their goals, but beyond that, you can create a huge impact just by being there, playing the games, lighting up the dance floor, sharing food with your fellow citizens, and just having fun. First and foremost, Second Halloween is a fun escape for those who need at most at a time when they need it most. You don't have to spend a red cent to create those precious moments. Join us, won't you?
Why have a Second Halloween?
The serious side of the Holiday Season
In 2014 and 2015, social media erupted with people demanding that Valentine's Day be replaced by a "Second Halloween." Seriously, just Google "Second Halloween Meme" and you head down a really weird rabbit hole. I didn't make any of those.
I thought the idea had some merit, so we did some digging and found that there is a serious reason to want to have a fun party this time of year.
Contrary to popular opinion and some mainstream reporting, suicide rates are not highest in the winter, and are actually lowest during the Christmas and Holiday season, reaching their peak in the spring and early summer according to numerous studies dating from the late 1800s to the present day, including one published in 1995 in the journal Social Science & Medicine and a similar one in 1997 in the journal Psychiatry Research showing that the trend holds in the southern hemisphere as well, with suicides highest in the spring months of September and October in South Africa. The reasons for these trends are elusive, with theories ranging from weather trends to health issues to social factors. Whatever the causes, now is a perfect time to raise awareness of the problem before the worst of the depression in the spring.
Now one theory is that there's this emotional roller coaster that starts with Halloween, which is big and exciting; from there moves up to Thanksgiving, when your family reminds you that you matter and are loved; from there up to Christmas when EVERYONE reminds you that you matter and are loved; tops off with New Year's Day when you say, "Yeah! I'm going to conquer the world!" Then comes down when you realize that half your resolutions are not coming true, and then comes Valentine's Day.
Now I have nothing against Valentine's Day. I think it can be a lot of fun; but I'm also in a good relationship. Valentine's Day is great fun for a lot of people... who are also in good relationships.
If you're not, and you're coping with problems in your personal life, Valentine's Day can seem... kind of heartless.
Now much of what contributes to the seasonal up-and-down, I can't do anything about. What I can do, is offer another big distracting party to tide you over until the winter lets up.
The real point of this event is a big, silly party - and the fact that some of us Buttants don't get enough Halloween just from the Fall. However, we are trying to address a serious issue in our own silly way.
The event raises money for suicide prevention, and we will have Reverends Jim and Mary Alice Jones of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Anaconda – both with a long history of outreach regarding suicide awareness and prevention with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Montana Chapter on hand to talk to anyone who wants to talk, or wants information for someone else.
