The first event, Fright Fest, is on Saturday, October 28, and the Day of the Dead will be celebrated on Saturday, November 4.
Cactus Country communication officer John Hall said Fright Fest was Cactus Country’s version of Halloween.
“We’ve really tried to create a space where people can dress up, eat candy and have fun,” Mr Hall said.
This will be the second year Fright Fest has been staged at Cactus Country, and Mr Hall said last year’s event was a great success.
“It’s a really wholesome family event; the costumes last year were amazing,” he said.
Fright Fest begins at 5.30pm, and attendees will enjoy a barbecue, drinks and face painting. It will be the perfect opportunity for people to dress up in their favourite spooky costumes.
If Fright Fest is relatively new, Cactus Country’s Day of the Dead Festival has been Strathmerton’s event of the year for some time.
Based on the traditional festival in Mexico, Mr Hall said the family-friendly event was all about remembering the good times you had had with friends and family who had now passed away.
“Cactus Country is like a little slice of Mexico on the Murray. So we try to embrace Mexico and Latin American culture as much as possible,” Mr Hall said.
“We really love colourful, vibrant events, and Day of the Dead ticks all those boxes.”
The Day of the Dead celebrations, which begin at 6pm, will include an altar where people are welcome to bring a photo of a loved one and celebrate with them for the night.
Entertainment will include a Mariachi band, dancers and a fire dance performance at sunset.
The Happy Mexican from Melbourne will have a food truck where meals can be purchased, and Mr Hall said this had allowed event organisers to reduce admission prices.
Mr Hall said he hoped attendees enjoyed a night they would never forget.
“I’m hoping people get to celebrate events they’ve never experienced before,” Mr Hall said.
“I’m hoping they have an amazing time with friends and family and that we see them come back every year to embrace what we’re creating at Cactus Country.”
Prices for the two events
Day of the Dead tickets are $50 for adults, children are $20 and it is $100 for a family pass.
Fright Fest tickets are $25 for adults, children are $15 and a family pass is $70.
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