On Mountains
“Far over the misty mountains cold…”
J.R.R. Tolkien — The Hobbit
image inspired by an original 1980 photograph by Heidi and Kim's father, Rene DeHaan
Everything you might wish to know before the evening of October 31st. If we've missed something, send a note via your RSVP — we'll happily answer.
“Far over the misty mountains cold…”
Not required — but highly, deeply, theatrically encouraged. Half the joy of the evening is seeing what everyone arrives in. If costumes truly aren't your thing, come anyway in something festive. You'll just be the rare exception in a room full of revelers.
Begin with a notion and commit to it. Go Victorian, gothic, or masquerade-ball anything — a waistcoat and top hat, a black lace gown with a cameo brooch. Go classic Halloween — vampire, witch, skeleton, werewolf, ghost with ambitions. Go Middle-earth — a hooded ranger from Bree, an elven cloak, a hobbit in a waistcoat and bare feet. The look you arrive in should be one you chose, not one you settled for.
A few places to look:
The objective is not perfection. The objective is conviction.
Heidi and Kevin will be coming as Arwen and Strider from The Lord of the Rings.
If you'd like to round out the Fellowship — or any other corner of Middle-earth — you'd be in excellent company. Hobbits, elves, dwarves, rangers, and the occasional wizard are all warmly welcomed.
Heavy appetizers throughout the evening — substantial enough that you won't go hungry, but not a sit-down dinner. Plan to graze rather than expect a meal at a single hour. There will be options for various dietary needs; let us know on your RSVP if anything serious applies.
For the guest who ordered the pizzas last time — go for it.
Beer, wine, hard cider, hard seltzer — and plenty of non-alcoholic options. The lower-alcohol contingent will be well-served.
We're not supplying hard liquor this year (we'd rather not be the ones pouring tequila shots at 9 PM). If you favor stronger spirits, bring your own — no problem at all.
No. Your presence is the gift — and your costume. If you feel the urge to contribute, a bottle for the bar is always welcomed but never expected.
Sparkling water, sodas, and a tea-and-coffee station. You will not be standing there with a solo cup of tap water.
Tell us on your RSVP — there's a notes field. We'll plan a spread with options for the major restrictions, but the things we don't know about, we can't accommodate. Flag it early.
Hollinshead's on-site lot is parking for the whole park — anyone using the trails and play areas, plus us. We expect the daytime crowd to filter out by dark, but we can't promise it.
We strongly encourage carpooling, Uber, or Lyft. Ridesharing also means no one needs to think about driving home after a long evening. Bend has reliable rideshare service downtown. The venue is not, regrettably, equipped with transporters.
Yes and no. It was a working barn from 1913 on, sitting on a 16-acre former homestead. But it's been thoroughly renovated — two floors of polished hardwood, vaulted ceilings on the upper level, climate control with thermostats on both floors, accessible restrooms, an ADA elevator, WiFi, a small kitchen, and full electricity.
The bones are historic; the inside is comfortable.
Yes. An ADA elevator connects the two floors, the restrooms are accessible, and the main downstairs is level with smooth hardwood throughout. If you or someone in your party has specific mobility needs, flag it on your RSVP and we'll make sure the path is clear.
Five o’clock. Yes, really — you’ll want to be there. The room is at its best before it’s crowded, the food is out, and something about arriving early sets the whole evening up properly. After 7, you’re missing the brief service. After 9, you’re missing the cupcakes. After 10, you’re missing it.
See the programme page for the full evening — arrival at five, a brief service at seven, a collective Monster Mash around eight, doors close at ten sharp. Treat with appropriate skepticism — we’ve never actually run one of these on time.
There's a closet near the entry and a coat rack alongside it. Hang your coat, stack any bags — we're not running a tagged check, so just remember roughly where you put yours.
Late October in Bend typically brings daytime highs in the low-to-mid 50s°F and overnight lows in the 30s, with snow not out of the question. But "typical" doesn't mean what it used to — recent years have run warmer, colder, wetter, and drier than the historical average. Welcome to the new climate.
Plan a costume that allows for a coat over it, or bring one to swap into on the way out. Inside the barn, you'll be perfectly warm — it's climate-controlled and fully enclosed.
Yes. On your RSVP we ask for the total size of your party and the names of everyone coming (plus ages for anyone under 21, so we can plan the bar). List them all there. New faces are welcome.
Children may attend at the discretion of their guardians, though the evening historically favors the adults. Bring them if you must — just plan to be responsible for them throughout.
The official party ends at 10, but the night need not.
The after-party location will be announced at the party itself. We'll have somewhere good — we always do. Join us if you have the stamina.
Yes, and yes please. If you can lend a hand — bringing a dish, picking someone up from the airport, donating a bottle for the bar — drop us a note via your RSVP. We'll happily put you to work in exchange for our undying gratitude (and possibly a drink).
Sadly, no. Hollinshead Park is itself a beloved dog park, but the barn is for two-legged guests only on the night of. Our own three dogs will be sulking at home in solidarity with yours. Service animals are of course permitted.
We'd rather you ask than wonder. Drop us a note at bauerhalloweenparty@gmail.com — we read every one and will get back to you.
If in doubt, come anyway. If you're worried about your costume, come anyway. If you might be a little late, come anyway.
The barn doors open at five and close at ten on the dot — if the night still has fight in it, we’ll announce where it continues at the party itself.
— Heidi & Kevin