This article was published on News-n-Views
Signs of Halloween are beginning to emerge throughout the city of Mission Viejo. While pumpkin patches and fall decorations brighten up streets and homes, residents are welcome on Saturday October 24th to enjoy two city events honoring one of the most loved holidays.
The day kicks off from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Saddleback Valley YMCA with its 2nd Annual Fall Festival and Halloween Howl and continues on with the City of Mission Viejo’s Hometown Halloween at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Both events are free fun filled community celebrations that cater to all ages.
The YMCA’s Fall Festival and Halloween Howl offers exciting activities and fantastic prizes for children and adults to build lasting family memories. There will be a petting zoo with fourteen different kinds of animals including sheep, goats, bunnies, chickens, ducks, a potbelly pig, and a pony among other furry friends. Mad Science Magic Shows will be offering demonstrations that stimulate young minds with invention and creativity. Children will also be given the time to make gooey slime with the crew after the show to take home and show their friends.
There will be a costume contest for the youngsters to show off this year’s Halloween fashion. The title of ‘Overall Costume’ will be awarded with two tickets to The Aquarium of the Pacific, followed by the second prize for the most original costume that will receive two tickets to the Bowers Children Museum. For those ghouls and goblins looking to spook this Halloween, a third award will be given to the ‘scariest costume’ and will receive a Build a Bear and backpack. All top three costumes will also receive a season of YMCA Youth Sports or swim lessons with their titles.
The Halloween Howl will also feature activities such as pumpkin bowling, ping-pong toss, and a face-painting artist who will decorate smiles with Halloween masks and glitter tattoos. There will be a photo and art booth for kids to take a picture with a festive background and decorate a fall frame for a keepsake. An inflatable obstacle course and live band will add to the celebration.
The first 500 kids will receive a goodie bag with candy and a gift certificate for a free meal at the new Elephant Bar Restaurant in Laguna Hills. So arrive early to enjoy this year’s wonderful YMCA Fall Festival and Halloween Howl.
After the howl, continue the Halloween haunts at the City of Mission Viejo’s own Hometown Halloween from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center. Youngsters ages 2 to 8, and all other kids at heart, will enjoy this carnival filled with game booths, pint sized haunted house and trick-or-treating.
Other features include the ‘Wacky Witch’n Kitchen,” for those itching to brew up some potions, make-it-and-take-it craft carts, pony rides and a tiny tots costume parade. Ride through the event in style with pony and hay rides available on site.
So start your haunting holiday early with a fun filled day of community events. For more information on the Saddleback Valley YMCA’s 2nd Annual Fall Festival and Halloween Howl please call Elizabeth Bishop at 949-380-3503. For more information on the City of Mission Viejo’s Hometown Halloween call 949-768-0981.
