The Yard will play host to a popular annual costume and dance party that uses Halloween as its inspiration.

The theme for Summerween is based loosely on Tim Burton’s film "Nightmare Before Christmas" and will feature deejays, bands, masseurs, stilt-walkers, fire dancers, theme rooms and a haunted house.

The eclectic party begins July 25 at 9 p.m. and costumes are required. Tickets are $50 and on sale at Orion’s Music. They are available by invitation only and patrons must be at least 21 years old, according to Summerween founder Jeff Kuehn.

The price of admission includes drink tickets, and a cash bar will be available.

The parties tend to be both fanciful and elaborate. Outer space and the circus are past themes. "Nightmare Before Summerween" promises to be decidedly scary.

"We’ve been wanting to do a spooky theme," Kuehn said.

Asked to describe the party, Kuehn said, "It’s like the best Halloween party you’ve been to, but it’s in the middle of the summer."

The party started at Kuehn’s house nine years ago. Since then, it has grown into one of the biggest private parties of the summer and typically attracts 500 people. It has been held at the Park City Mountain Resort as well as private property. Last year, wind and rain put a damper on outdoor festivities, but that shouldn’t be a problem at the new venue.

Located at 1251 Kearns Blvd., The Yard is a central location with plenty of parking and space to carouse indoors. A cadre of deejays will play through the night and Kuehn doesn’t think the party will need to be tamed down because of its proximity to condominiums. Festivities will be moved inside at 1 a.m.

Kuehn emphasized that costumes are required and the Costume Closet in Salt Lake City will offer 15 percent off for Summerween patrons. "We’ve had to turn people away because they didn’t dress up," he said, adding, "It’s more fun if people get into it."

For more information, visit http://www.summerween.com or call Kuehn at 647-0271.