Halloween happenings in the Village

Little trick-or-treaters will have a number of opportunities this week to participate in family-friendly events that are being organized throughout the Fallbrook/Bonsall area. Some will be held Friday, October 30, and others on Saturday, October 31.

Certain events are free of charge and others are available for a nominal fee and are held as a fundraiser for organizations.

Friday, October 30

The fun begins from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. when kids in costumes can trick-or-treat for free at businesses in Bonsall Village Center (same center as the post office).

Participating businesses include Provence Salon, Curves for Women, Village Bonsall Market, Bonsall Family Dentistry, Kramer’s ATA Martial Arts, Cortez Mexican Food and Today’s Window Fashion Design Center.

“We’re looking forward to seeing all the young people in their costumes with their families,” said Mary Frank of Provence Salon.

Meanwhile, in Fallbrook, the Boys & Girls Clubs of North County will host their Little Monsters Ball from 4 to 6 p.m. at their main location, 445 East Ivy Street.

Free to all current members of the club and $2 per person for non-members, the club will offer a Halloween costume contest, games, activities and more.

“Kids in the after-school programs at Fallbrook Street and Maie Ellis will be transported,” a club official said. Beginning at 5 p.m. and continuing until 7:30, St. Peter’s Catholic School will hold their annual Harvest Carnival.

Tickets are $4 in advance; $6 at the door. Adults are free.

“The event will feature several large jumpies as well as carnival games and activities,” organizers said. “Kids of all ages are welcome to come in a Halloween or saint costume and celebrate a safe Halloween.”

Vallecitos School’s Fall Fest will run from 5 to 7 p.m. The school has advertised “a haunted house, games, food and a costume contest, all open to the public.” The event is sponsored by the Vallecitos PTO.

Regency Fallbrook, located at 609 E. Elder Street will host a Halloween Kids’ Carnival from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is free.

“We will have a cake walk, carnival games, face painting, decorate your own cookie area, crafts, refreshments and trick-or-treating throughout the building with the residents,” said Sue Johnson, marketing director. “Regency invites parents to bring their school-age children dressed in costume to this fun-filled event.”

Saturday, October 31

Safe Halloween, sponsored by the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce, Fallbrook Community Center, Fallbrook Union Elementary School District and Fallbrook Village Rotary Club, will once again host this popular free event on the grounds of La Paloma School (300 Heald Lane) from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Children and their families can enjoy a haunted house, booths, trick-or-treating, music, games and prizes, costume contests, balloons, bowling, Twister, an art station, pin-the-tail-on-the-cat, beanbag toss, face painting and more.

Riverview Church is all set to present their annual Harvest Festival from 5 to 8 p.m. Known as a trick-or-treat alternative, tickets are $5 per person or $20 per family.

Participants will be able to enjoy multiple inflatable ‘jumpies’ including a giant slide, plus carnival game booths, a rock-climbing wall, bungee run, video games and more.

Non-scary costumes are encouraged at this event that features a costume parade. Food, snacks and beverages will be offered for sale.

Later, a youth concert will be offered from 7:30 to 10 p.m. for a $5 cover charge.

Anytime between now and Nov. 7

Families are encouraged to take a walk through Fallbrook’s historic downtown district to see Pumpkin People Pandemonium.

A new feature this year by local merchants, participants are encouraged to locate all the Pumpkin People (including their names) to be entered into a drawing to win gift certificates from participating stores.

Take the opportunity to vote for your favorite, as a People’s Choice Award will be bestowed upon the winner!

To make that venture easier, the Village News recommends visiting A Few of Our Favorite Things, Brandon Gallery, Café des Artistes, Elegance on Display, Jewelry Connection, J.J.’s Beach and Board Shop, La Caseta Mexican Restaurant, Lemonchellos, Mostly Windows, Swirlz, The Sweet Sicilian, Village Kitchen Design, Village Copy Center, Village News and Wee Little Sprouts.

Why not make it a ‘green’ Halloween?

Halloween is a great opportunity to encourage children to collect their trick-or-treat candy in reusable bags or containers they can keep and use afterward.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, over 380 million plastic bags and more than 10 million paper bags are used each year in the United States alone.

Reusable bags are more durable then plastic and paper bags, which can tear and spill treats.