By Kathy Chouteau
The Wicked Witch of the West is flying into Richmond and surrounding communities on her fog-defying broomstick, ready to stir up her cauldron of fun for zombies of all ages.
Here’s a Halloween roundup on where you and yours can scare up some Halloween fun up-to-and-including the big night Tues., Oct. 31.
Richmond:
Trick or Treat on 23rd Street will return Tues., Oct. 31 from 4-6 p.m. and encourages little goblins to take a Halloween stroll down 23rd Street between Rheem Ave. and Roosevelt Ave. in Richmond to collect treats from participating businesses. A costume contest, arts & crafts and prizes will all be part of the fun. Hosted by the Contra Costa Youth Service Bureau, Chevron Richmond, Sims Metal and Kaiser Permanente are sponsors. For more info contact Yenny Garcia at [email protected].
The Point Richmond Fall Festival will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Park Place Ave. in Downtown Point Richmond. It will feature live music from Richmond’s own GTS Band, an R&B and Latin Soul Band, and Point Sisters, a musical fusion harp duo. The event will also feature DJ Malcolm Marshall, as well as arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch, vendor booths, festival food and beverages, a video game truck and face painting. Kids and adults are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. For more info, go here.
The Floating Pumpkin Patch will return to the Richmond Plunge Sat., Oct. 28, when kiddos can wade into the pool to pick out their own pumpkin to take home during one of two sessions starting at 1:15 or 2:30 p.m. The pumpkin is included in the price of admission ($10/child resident and $7/adult residents age 18 and older). The Plunge is located at 1 E. Richmond Ave. in Point Richmond. Questions? Call (510) 620-6820. Click here to register.
Cops & Goblins and tons of pre-Halloween fun will be awaiting the littles Sat., Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Richmond Police Department, 1701 Regatta Blvd. in Richmond. The police department will be transformed into a spooky haunted house while a trunk-or-treat, FREE lunch and lots of candy also electrify the afternoon. Bring your candy bags!
ABC Tree Farms Pumpkin Patch is back in Richmond now through Tues., Oct. 31, with its seasonal pumpkin patch and activities. Inflatable slides are on hand for kids ages 2-12 (socks required), paint ball and the pumpkin patch at ABC Tree Farms’ temporary home in the parking lot at 2200 Hilltop Mall Rd. between Walmart and JC Penney in Richmond. Hours are Mon. through Thurs. 2-9 p.m.; Fri. 2-10 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Lean more about prices, etc. here.
The Gyuto Foundation’s Halloween Celebration and Haunted Garden will return Tues., Oct. 31, from 5-8 p.m. during which the monastery’s grounds will be decorated for Halloween and the Peace Garden will transform into a “Haunted Garden.” The Gyuto Foundation is located at 6401 Bernhard Ave. in Richmond’s East Richmond Heights neighborhood.
Annie’s Halloween Spooktacular will have fun in store for all ages in the nursery Sat., Oct. 28 and Sun., Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days, including a “Garden Magic” Talk, pumpkin & succulent centerpiece-making demo, free raffles, kid’s pumpkin decorating, kid’s trick or treating and food vendors. Get the details here.
Halloween Fest will return to The Backyard in Richmond Tues., Oct. 31 from 2-8 p.m. with trick-or-treating, a costume contest, family friendly and more fun for everyone. The outdoor, Richmond eatery will have backyard eats and local brews as it celebrates its one year anniversary. The Backyard is located at 205 Cutting Boulevard in Richmond.
El Sobrante:
Pumpkin Patch, Wildcat Canyon Community School’s Autumn festival, will happen Sat., Oct. 28 from 4-8 p.m. along with festive themed trick-or-treat stations, games, prizes, live music and concession stands with gourmet treats. Organizers are encouraging kids age 5 and under to visit from 4-6 p.m. and those age 6 and over to come in the later hours. Adults are free; $15 per child in advance, $20 at the door. Buy tickets. WCCS is located at 3800 Clark Road in El Sobrante.
Pinole:
Halloween Family Storytime will be available at the Contra Costa County Library, 2935 Pinole Valley Rd. in Pinole, Thurs., Oct. 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The dress up storytime is recommended for young children up to age 5 and will include lively songs and stories.
Hercules:
Halloween Trunk-or-Treat will descend upon the Hercules Swim Center, 2001 Refugio Valley Rd. in Hercules, Fri., Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. Organizers encourage little goblins to stop by in their costumes to receive special treats. An added bonus? A Halloween-themed movie will be shown during the event, courtesy of the City of Hercules. Learn more.
Want to share a West County Halloween event people should know about? Tell us in the comments!
