Halloween Happenings

By Maureen Robertson

Costumed trick-or-treaters will line Main Street from Third to Ramona streets for Halloween on Main

Street, Ramona merchants’ Safe Trick or Treating from 3 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 31.

Sponsored by Ramona Chamber of Commerce, the annual event serves two purposes, said chamber President Jason DeLeo — to give back to the community and to give merchants an opportunity to showcase their businesses.

Saying that up to 5,000 pieces of candy or other treats will be given away is not an exaggeration, said DeLeo.

“We (the chamber) go through a shopping cart full of candy,” he said.

“It’s a safe alternative for children and their families,” said Barbara Worden in the chamber office. “We encourage every business on Main Street to participate. Just open your doors and have goodies for the children as they go through.”

An opportunity to see “The Thing” at Town and Country Real Estate at 976 Main St. and “The Escape” on the Freeman property at 855 Rancho Bullard Lane are among other activities. Dixie Pettit’s article about “The Escape” is on this website, and Elaine Lyttleton’s article about “The Thing” is also on the Sentinel

website.

Mt. Woodson Elementary School and Soroptimist International of Ramona will celebrate early on Friday, Oct. 28, with a “spooktacular” fall carnival from 5 to 8 p.m. at the school, 17427 Archie Moore Road, and Halloween Bunco at the Century 21 office, 2102 Main St., at 6:30 p.m.

At Mt. Woodson’s fall carnival there will be cotton candy, popcorn, hamburgers, hot dogs, ghosts, goblins, witches and screams of laughter. Booths, prizes, a haunted house and a cake walk are just part of the fun planned. Mt. Woodson PTA sponsors the carnival, and proceeds will benefit school programs and projects supported by the PTA. See www.mtwoodsonpta.org for more information.

Wear a costume for an opportunity to win a prize at Soroptimist International of Ramona’s Halloween Bunco event. There will be shopping opportunities from Cookie Lee jewelry, Mary Kay cosmetics, and Princess House crystal. Beverages are available from Pamo Valley Winery. Opportunity drawings will be held throughout the evening. Cost is $20 per person for a team of four and $25 for individual players. A special drawing will be held for those in costume. For tickets and more information, contact Becky Strahm at 760-443-0237.

Another early celebration with activities and games is Trunk or Treat at Ramona Church of Christ, 530 11th St., from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. Treating will be from the trunks of cars, hot dogs with all trimmings will be served, and games, a fun jump and an 18-foot slide are among activities.

For information about Ramona’s CrossFit Brand X Halloween attraction, The Haunted Hurt Locker at 432 Maple St. from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30, see the article on this website under News.

Also, the third annual Exquisite Corpse Exhibition with Day of the Dead Altars will be in Ramona Town Hall, 729 Main St., Oct. 28 through 30. A reception for the artists featured in the Halloween Art Exhibit will be in Town Hall’s East Wing from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28. All are invited and encouraged to dress as their favorite dead person — famous or not.

The exhibit will continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.

The Haunted Trail at Dos Picos County Park, 17953 Dos Picos Park Road, is among other Halloween-themed events. The hikes will be daily from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. through Oct. 29.

Hikers should bring flashlights and be ready for a moderate walk. Adults must accompany children. While parking is free for the event, donations will be accepted.

For more information, contact Ranger Kyle Icke at kyle.icke@sdcounty.ca.gov or 760-789-2220.