Celebrating Halloween throughout Sonoma County
Halloween 2012 has yet to make its debut, but All Hallows’ Eve is already casting its shadow on haunted houses, parades, carnivals and more.
In fact, a few of its most celebrated local events – such as Windsor’s Pumpkin Festival – have already passed into the abyss, but there are still plenty of boo inspiring to-dos left between now and Oct. 31, throughout Sonoma County.
Following is a compilation of some of the local Halloween happenings geared for children, teens, adults and even the family dog. (Adult-only parties/nightclub festivities are not listed, nor are school-related events, as there are too many to mention.)
Sebastopol
• Copperfield’s Books will hold its free annual Zombie Walk at 11 a.m., Oct. 28, starting and ending at the book store, located at 138 North Main St.
Copperfield’s Marketing and Events Director Vicki DeArmon said last year’s walk had a great turn out of zombies, ranging in age from around 2-years-old to 70, all with “skin falling off and missing appendages.” There was also a lot of moaning going on, as strictly speaking, zombies don’t talk, she said.
“We meet in the store, we do some practice lumbering and moaning to warm up, and then we set out and we lumber through the farmers market, terrifying the local folk,” DeArmon said. “Generally what happens is I run ahead screaming, ‘the zombies are coming,’” she said, noting, after they are done lumbering through town they head back to Copperfield’s for a zombie party, complete with a zombie mini Olympics, trivia questions, zombie tarot card readings and some “very disgusting food, like (fake) eyeballs.”
Guerneville
• Dr. Evil’s House of Horror, touted as Sonoma County’s scariest haunted house (16101 Neeley Rd.), is open from sundown to 11 p.m., every Friday and Saturday night in October. The main house is for ages 12 and over. General admission cost $10. Proceeds from this year’s event go to the National Kidney Foundation and Elves with Sheers, a local non-profit that assists underprivileged families with Christmas.
“It’s not just your basic walk down the hall type of haunted house. You are being touched, and you are working it, there are ups and downs and crawl-throughs and so forth,” said Mrs. Evil, who admitted she doesn’t go in it because it scares her too much.
“My husband is creative. … He creates this maze for you to walk though. It’s hard to describe. Also, in our courtyard we have old haunted movies playing. And, when the actors get a break from the haunted house there is some fire spinning and drumming,” she said, noting, they have been doing this for about 10 years now.
A free, spooky fun house, located next to the haunted house, is set up for younger children and is open the same time, same nights. Candy will be offered to the children on Halloween.
Healdsburg
• The Healdsburg Farmers Market will hold its free annual Pumpkin Festival, complete with pumpkin carving and pumpkin car races, at 10 a.m., Oct. 27, during the normal Saturday market, located between North and Vine streets, one block west of the downtown plaza.
“This is a little piece of all the colors of autumn brought into town, along with the farmers’ produce this time of year. The farmers love giving this event to the Pumpkin Festival as a way of thanking everyone for the months of support this year,” Market Manager Mary Kelley said.
Pumpkins and pumpkin carving tools for the pumpkin carving contest are provided free by the farmers market. Children and adults can select their pumpkins between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., on the day of the event, Kelley said, noting, it is necessary to register ahead of time. Winners are announced at 11 a.m., but prizes are provided to all entrants.
People need to get their own pumpkins for the pumpkin car racing event, as the pumpkin cars need to be assembled in advance.
To be eligible for racing and/or the judging of the best decorated pumpkin car, the axle must go completely though the orange squash, Kelley said. The race track is only 11 inches wide, so the wheels need to fit within that 11 inch track, she said. “Drivers” need to register between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., the day of the event.
The race begins at 10 a.m., and winners are announced soon after.
“We are finding more and more people are bringing their grandchildren. So we end up having adults and children carving and bringing the race cars, and it’s really fun to see what a blast it is to just not have anything electronic for an entire morning … just to see what creativity comes about,” Kelley said, adding, “Just the people walking through the market get caught up in the fun of it all.”
The Healdsburg farmers market will continue through November – rain or shine.
• Every dog can have its day dressed in costume at the annual Howl-o-ween Parade, sponsored by the Healdsburg Dog House.
This tail wagging event will be held from noon to 2 p.m., Oct. 27, in the downtown plaza. The parade starts at 1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed dogs and their people, who often dress up with their canines.
Festivities at this fundraiser, which benefits the local animal shelter, will also include face painting, children’s games, raffles, and a mobile adoption.
There is a $10 entry fee per dog. People can register at the Healdsburg Dog House (431-1044) or the Healdsburg Animal Shelter (431-3386, ext. 0). Early registration is recommended, but there will be the option of signing up at the event.
The event is free to spectators who are not participating in the parade.
“It’s just a great thing to do on a Saturday afternoon for little or no money, especially if you have children. It’s just one of those small town fun events,” shelter volunteer Ginni Lomax said.
Windsor
• Windsor’s Halloween Parade will be held at 6 p.m., Oct. 31. The procession – led by a Windsor fire truck, to the delight of the children – begins in front of Raley’s Supermarket (located in the Lakewood Center), winds through the shopping center and ends at the Windsor Community Center where free hot dogs and beverages will be provided. Parade participants will also be given trick or treat bags filled with candy.
“(The parade and barbecue) was an idea of one of our former Lions, who is no longer living, to do something for the community … This has been going on for over 25 years,” said Lucille Hynes, treasurer of the Lion’s Club which sponsors the event, with assistance from the Windsor Fire Protection District.
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together. It’s a safe and fun-filled celebration of Halloween for the families of Windsor. They come in an array of costumes, from a cute little bunny to Darth Vader. It’s exilerating to see the enthusiasm in the children and the parents,” Hynes said, noting, 800 people are expected to participate in this year’s parade.
“(Following the parade) all the little kids get to cook their own hot dogs, they go from the hot dogs … to the buns … to the cokes, the potato chips and a bag of candy,” said Curt Moore, Windsor Lion’s Club past president.
