North County Halloween events roundup
–Halloween is almost here, and the events have already started. There are many to choose from, be it for families of young children, or people looking for a good scare, and you needn’t go far to find something to do.
The Lost Dutchman’s Mine is a haunted house for nearly all ages at San Marcos Farm. Photo by Heather Young
The Lost Dutchman’s Mine at San Marcos Ranch
San Marcos Ranch has once again opened up its haunted house – The Lost Dutchman’s Mine – corn maze, as well as other activities for children and adults. The haunted house is 70 linear feet; however, as people progress through the dark different elements light up or pop out as they are motion- or sound-activated. It is recommended that children five and under not go through it. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
“It’s a creepy maze with skeletons, spiders, ghosts and spooky things,” owner Carolyn Davis said.
The farm, located at 775 San Marcos Road, Paso Robles, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with the last maze ticket sold at 5 p.m. The farm is open through Oct. 31. For more information, go to www.mygrannysgardens.com or call (805) 467-3315.
Eberle’s Haunted Caves offer free wine tasting after the scare to those of age.
Haunted caves at Eberle Winery
Eberle Winery, 3810 Highway 46 East, Paso Robles, will once again decorate and light its 16,000 square feet of underground caves to turn it into one of the spookiest places in the area. The haunted caves are open to all ages and those 21 and older will receive complimentary wine tasting in the tasting room. The caves are open Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31 from 5 to 9 p.m. The cost is a $5 donation, which will go to a local foster children charity. For more information, go to www.eberlewinery.com or call (805) 238-9607.
Howl’oween at Sherwood Dog Park
Sherwood Dog Park will host Howl’oween on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Sherwood Dog Park, 290 Scott St. in Paso Robles next to the Senior Center. There will be a costume contest at 11 a.m., holiday bake sale, seasonal family photos for a $10 donation, microchip clinic, and free coffee and hot cider. All proceeds will benefit the Sherwood Dog Park. Rain will cancel the event. For more information, go to www.sherwooddogpark.com or call (805) 239-4437.
Trick or Treat Downtown Paso Robles
For the younger costumed-ghouls, Paso Robles Main Street’s Trick or Treat Downtown event is the place to go for early haunting from 4 to 7 p.m. on Halloween. The Paso Robles Historical Society will sell a barbecue dinner in Downtown City Park. Attendees can also get their photos taken with the Main Street witches at the corner of 12th and Park streets. A pumpkin carving contest will be held at 6 p.m. in Downtown City Park at the fountain. For more information, go to www.pasoroblesdowntown.org or call (805) 238-4103.
Templeton High School’s Haunted Theater
Templeton High School’s drama department will present Haunted Theater on Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24. The Oct. 24 presentation is a Not-so-Haunted Theater, which Kingsbury said is fun, but hardly scary. This theater experience was designed for younger children who do not enjoy being scared, but do like costumed characters and a few surprises. It will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. for those aged 6 to 8 years.
Haunted Theater on Oct. 23 is the scary version from 9 to 11 p.m. for those 12 years old and older. Tickets are $5 each and accompanying adults are admitted for free. Both theater experiences will take place in Templeton Performing Arts Center on the campus of Templeton High School.
For more information, contact Kingsbury at ckingsbury@templetonusd.org or (805) 434-5845.
Templeton’s Nightmare on Main Street
For the fifth year, the Templeton Recreation Foundation will host its annual haunted house, Nightmare on Main Street at 99 South Main St. in a historic home. To make the haunted house fun for people who return year after year, the haunted house’s featured are changed, save for a few exceptions. Because of the scary nature of the haunted house, it is not recommended for children under 10 years of age.
The haunted house is open Thursday, Oct. 22 through Saturday, Oct. 24, and Wednesday, Oct. 28 through Thursday, Oct. 29 from 7 to 10 p.m., and Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and are available at Templeton Market & Deli or Templeton Community Services District office. For more information, call (805) 235-7593 or go to www.nightmareonmain.com.
The Haunt is open Friday and Saturday through the end of October in Atascadero.
The Haunt in Atascadero
Mid State Scare and TNT Terrors presents The Haunt at 5805 El Camino Real in Atascadero on Friday, Oct. 23 and 30 and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 31 from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $10 each or $35 for four people. The Haunt is a haunted mansion-style attraction with a few zombies thrown in. While the haunted house is a family-orientated event and the level of scare can be reduced for individual groups on request, it is dark, loud and scary and is not intended for small children. Organizers do not recommend that children younger than 12 attend as it contains mild gore and violence.
Zoo Boo
Charles Paddock Zoo’s annual Zoo Boo will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The whole family is invited to attend in costume and have a fun evening playing games and seeing the animals after-dark. Attendees are encouraged to help the zoo go green and bring a reusable trick or treat bag. The annual vegetable decorating contest will continue this year and all contestants are encouraged to bring their completed creations to the zoo before 7:30 p.m. The entries will be judged at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 per person with zoo members getting a discount and those 2 and younger are admitted free of charge.
Atascadero Main Street will host its annual Trick or Treat on Entrada Avenue event on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in downtown Atascadero. The free event includes trick or treating from local businesses and nonprofits, bounce houses, food for purchase and more. For more information, email info@wilkinsprinting.com.
Spooktacular Casper Morning at Galaxy Theatres
Galaxy Theatres, 6917 El Camino Real in Atascadero, will host A Spooktacular Casper Morning with a free showing of “Casper” on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 10 a.m., doors open at 9:30 a.m. Admission is free with a canned food donation. Donuts and hot chocolate will be available for purchase. For more information, go to www.galaxytheatres.com or call (805) 460-0123.
Atascadero United Methodist Church’s annual Halloween carnival includes an original puppet show. Photo by Mark Rehfield
Atascadero United Methodist Church Halloween Carnival
Atascadero United Methodist Church, 11605 El Camino Real in Atascadero, will host its second annual Halloween carnival on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The free event will include games, trunk or treating, live music, puppet shows, arts & crafts and a costume contest. The event is geared toward children in the fifth grade and younger. The whole family is invited. The event will happen rain or shine. For more information, call (805) 466-2566 or go to www.atascaderoumc.org.
Refuge Church’s Harvest Party
Refuge Church, 6955 Portola Road in Atascadero, will host its annual Harvest Party on Friday, Oct, 30 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with a giant slide, games, candy, bounce houses and more. For more information, call (805) 466-3354 or go to www.refugechurch.info.
Dove Creek Church
Dove Creek Church, 9333 Santa Barbara Road in Atascadero will host its annual Trunk-Or-Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The entire family is invited to the free event. For more information, call (805) 466-9505 or go to www.dovecreekchurch.org.
