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Halloween events for young and young-at-heart

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By Elizabeth Marie Himchak

Whether dressing up as a fanciful fairy tale character, superhero or scary monster, there will be plenty for those of all ages to enjoy in the days leading up to Halloween.

Here are some free and low-cost events in the local area.

4S RANCH

•Xtreme Starz Academy of Martial Arts

, 10806 Willow Court, is holding a free anti-bullying and trick-or-treat safety workshop for children 3 years and older on Saturday, Oct. 18. There are two sessions: noon to 1:30 p.m. and 1:45 to 3:15 p.m. RSVP by Oct. 17 at 858-663-7772.

• A Halloween craft activity sponsored by Ranch Village Homes will be offered at the

4S Ranch Library

from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22. Sign-up required. The library is at 10433 Reserve Drive. Call 858-673-4697.

4S Ranch Library

, 10433 Reserve Drive, will distribute candy to trick-or-treaters who visit the library in costume from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

4S Commons Town Center

will welcome trick-or-treaters on Friday, Oct. 31 — time yet to be announced. Treats will be distributed at stores with a sign displayed. The shopping center is on Dove Canyon Road between Rancho Bernardo Road and Camino del Norte.

RANCHO BERNARDO

•Westwood Club

will hold its annual Halloween carnival open to the entire community from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. There will be a bounce house, spin art, prizes and more. Free ice cream, while supplies last, will be provided by Schwan’s and free family crafts and games by Kid Ventures of 4S Ranch.

Admission to the carnival is free to Westwood Club members and their guests, and $3 for non-members. The club is at 17394 W. Bernardo Drive. Questions? Call 858-485-6300.

• A free Trunk-or-Treat Harvest Festival will be offered for free from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at

The Church at Rancho Bernardo

, 11740 Bernardo Plaza Court. Activities for youths and adults include costume contests, a dunk tank, bounce houses, music, photo booth, popcorn, cotton candy, free hot dogs and more. Questions? Contact Heidi Hicok at heidi@thechurchrb.org or 858-592-2434 ext. 318.

• Ms. Bonnie will lead a Halloween spooky storytime from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31 in the

Rancho Bernardo Library

, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. Children are welcome to come dressed in their favorite costume. Call 858-538-8163.

• The

Rancho Bernardo Town Center

on Bernardo Center Drive will host a Halloween party on Friday, Oct. 31. Trick-or-treating for those 12 and younger wearing costumes will be 3 to 6 p.m. at participating merchants. There will also be entertainment that includes a magic show, stilt walkers, music, balloon animals and face painting.

Adults can enter a drawing to win prizes given throughout the event. The grand prize winner must be present, which will be awarded at 5:45 p.m.

• Participating merchants at

The Plaza

, 16773 Bernardo Center Drive, will distribute candy to trick-or-treaters from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

LifeBridge Church

invites costumed children and their families to its annual Harvest Festival. It will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at the church, 17645 W. Bernardo Drive.

Activities will include game booths, inflatable jumps, a petting zoo, face painting, costume contest, free hot dogs and popcorn, music and fellowship. Questions? Send an email to info@lifebridgesd.org or call 858-487-7676.

POWAY

• The Poway Chapter of National Charity League will host its annual Halloween carnival at the

Poway Library Courtyard

, 13137 Poway Road. The free event will be 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 for toddlers through third graders.

There will be carnival games, a cake walk, face painting and more. Lots of candy will be given as prizes and children are encouraged to come in costume. For details, call 858-513-2900.

• “Hoot, Howl and Prowl” returns to

Blue Sky Ecological Reserve

, 16275 Espola Road, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Every 15 minutes guests will be led on a one-mile, after-dark adventure through the reserve, with the first group heading out at 5:30 p.m. and last group at 8 p.m.

Docents, dressed as native “critters,” will bring Blue Sky alive. Hot chocolate will be provided. Children are encouraged to wear costumes. All should dress warmly.

Cost: $5. Register at www.poway.org/classes. Questions? Call 858-668-4781.

• “Trunk ‘n Treat” is returning to

St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church

, 16275 Pomerado Road. From 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 youngsters can go trick-or-treating at decorated cars in the church’s parking lot. There will be plenty of free treats, games, crafts and a professional face painter. There will prizes for the best, cutest and funniest cars.

Dinner and ice cream will be sold in the church’s parish hall. All are welcome. Questions? Email Pippa Mills at pmills@stbartschurch.org.

• “Once Upon a Hallowe’en” is returning to

Old Poway Park

, 14134 Midland Road. It will be 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. There will be many activities, including a 5 p.m. carved pumpkin contest at the gazebo, rides aboard the “Halloween Express,” stories in Templar’s Hall presented by Charles Johnson, opportunity to see the “haunted” Porter House, carnival games, entertperform in the gazebo.

Winners in the third-annual carved pumpkin contest will be determined by attendees. There is a $5 entry fee for those who pre-register by Oct. 23. Obtain the form at the Old Poway Park Office or send an email to lynnwolseydesigns2014@gmail.com. Registrations will also be accepted at the event between 5 and 5:15 p.m., but the fee is $10.

Most activities are free or low-cost. Food will be available for purchase. For details, call 858-668-4576.

• Teens in sixth to 12th grade can carve their pumpkin at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 in the

Poway Library

, 13137 Poway Road. All materials will be provided. Registration is required. Call 858-513-2900.

CARMEL MOUNTAIN RANCH / SABER SPRINGS

• The annual “Creepside” is returning with a haunted house, complete with a production, cast and scenery, and two haunted trails, “Oh So Scary” and “Not So Scary.” It will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25

Creekside Elementary School

, 12362 Springhurst Drive in Sabre Springs.

This is a fundraiser for the school’s foundation. The community is invited. Kids are welcome to wear costumes. Tickets are $2. Questions? Call Kedar Kondap at 858-603-7722.

• There will be Halloween crafts and a costume parade for children at 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 in the

Carmel Mountain Ranch Library

, 12095 World Trade Drive. Registration is required at the Circulation Desk or call 858-538-8181.

• Participating businesses at

Carmel Mountain Plaza

will distribute candy to trick-or-treaters ages 12 and younger who are dressed in costumes from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. Register near Coffee Bean Tea Leaf or Reading Cinemas to receive a free treat bag, while supplies last. There will also be live music, balloon art and other activities. Participants are asked to bring a can of food to support the San Diego Food Bank.

• Participating businesses in the

Carmel Mountain Ranch Town Center

will distribute candy to trick-or-treaters ages 12 and younger who are dressed in costumes and accompanied by an adult from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. Register near Sprint to receive the official trick-or-treat bag.

RANCHO PENASQUITOS

• Join Mad Science to learn how scary movie effects are made, from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 in the

Rancho Penasquitos Library

, 13330 Salmon River Road. It will includeainment and more. A replica of the Ectomobile from the movie “Ghostbusters” will be there and the Thriller Dancers will a behind-the-scenes glimpse of effects directors use in movies.

Children will learn about chemical reactions, polymers and air pressure as they get a backstage pass to see how special effects are created. Learn about the science behind magic in making things appear and disappear. Call 858-538-8159.

• Children can make a safety Halloween arm band during a Halloween Safety Workshop, from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 in the

Rancho Penasquitos Library

, 13330 Salmon River Road. Parents must be present with children under 6. Call 858-538-8159.

• Gabe Selak will present “Haunted San Diego” to adults, focusing on the mysterious side of San Diego and some of the places deemed “haunted.” It will be 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 in the

Rancho Penasquitos Library

, 13330 Salmon River Road. Stories of some of San Diego’s ghosts and legends will be shared, adding are an exciting element as we look into San Diego’s sinister past. Call 858-538-8159.

• “Scary Stories for Teens and Adults” will be presented from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 by professional storyteller Marilyn McPhie in the

Rancho Penasquitos Library

, 13330 Salmon River Road. Call 858-538-8159.

• “Spooktacular Day!” will be held from 9:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 in the

Rancho Penasquitos Library

, 13330 Salmon River Road. Activities will include stories by Marilyn McPhie at 9:45 a.m., costume parade and trick-or-treating at 10:20 a.m. (it repeats at 3 p.m.), crafts and face painting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and crafts at 3:30 p.m. Call 858-538-8159.

SCRIPPS RANCH

• Trick-or-treaters will be welcome from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the

Scripps Ranch Farmers Market

, in the Innovations Charter Academy parking lot, 10380 Spring Canyon Road. There will be a free drawing for a Huffy children’s bicycle, free treasure hunt, vendors will distribute treats, there will be a face painter, balloon artist and more. Children are encouraged to wear costumes and should bring their trick-or-treat bags. For details go to www.SRFM.org or call 858-586-7933.

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