RED MOUNTAIN AREA — November 1, 2026. A Ridgecrest Halloween event brought attention to the kind of local gathering that connects western San Bernardino County with neighboring Kern County: the $5 Ghost Ship Haunted Harbor organized at VFW Ship 4084.

Red Mountain and Ridgecrest are approximately 19 miles apart as the crow flies. On Saturday, October 31, the veterans’ hall at 117 N. Alvord Street was transformed for a theatrical Halloween experience presented with the Community Light Opera and Theatre Association (CLOTA). According to eyewitness reporting, the crowds grew from about 7:30 p.m. after the 7 p.m. opening.

Why this mattered to nearby communities

Visitors encountered three levels of fear, then could vote in a pumpkin display in the gathering hall. The attraction was advertised as open to the community for a $5 admission supporting veteran programs and the hall’s building fund. Organizers had not announced the winning pumpkin in the newsroom’s November 1 report.

California58 has published a full on-the-ground account by editor Vitaly Ataev Troshin, including his discussion with a bartender, an explanation of how VFW Ship 4084 operates, the organization’s history, the crowd’s reaction and the still-unconfirmed pumpkin-contest results.

READ THE FULL RIDGECREST NEWS EXCLUSIVE AND WATCH THE VIDEO →

Video: California58’s October 31 Ghost Ship report on YouTube.

Source: Original Ridgecrest News field report, with supporting documentation from the official event listing and VFW Ship 4084.

This is a neighboring-edition brief linking to Ridgecrest News’ original story, not a claim that the haunted event took place in Red Mountain.

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