Oak Hill High School presents its 10th annual Halloween Coffeehouse on Friday, Oct. 24 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. The popular school/community event features pumpkin carving contest, a Scream Contest, delectable goodies, and some of the best musicians and poets in the state of Maine.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years,” observes Michael Hughes, Oak Hill teacher, musician and coordinator of the event. “It’s scary the way time flies.”

The Coffeehouse evolved out of a series of dances which featured live bands. “We had a number of people at the time who wanted to get up and do a song or two between the band’s sets,” Hughes noted. “It worked out nicely, and the idea of a variety show of writers and musicians took root.”

This year’s Coffeehouse features many veteran performers as well as some new faces to the Coffeehouse stage. While most of the performers are students or alumni of Oak Hill, many come from other area schools.

“Some of these musicians and poets first performed in front of an audience here at the Coffeehouse,” Mr. Hughes noted. “Others have achieved real success around the state and continue to perform here because it’s a great scene and a wonderful audience. It’s an especially nice performance opportunity for people who haven’t had a lot of experience.”

Ezra Jillson, a self-avowed emo boy and singer/guitarist with Missing Direction, is looking forward to the event. “The Coffeehouse is cool,” Ezra said, toweling his hair off after a long walk in the rain, “because you get to see all your friends perform and check out so much new music.”