Atascadero offers Halloween events from fun to scary
Atascadero nonprofits give out candy on Entrada Avenue on Halloween. Photo by Heather Young
TNT Terrors has a new location in downtown Atascadero this Halloween. Photo by Creig P. Sherburne
Halloween in Atascadero has a range of activities for children of all ages, from the smallest through adults. TNT Terrors has already opened and will continue to operate on the weekends through Saturday, Nov. 1. Charles Paddock Zoo will host its annual Zoo Boo the Saturday before Halloween, Oct. 25. The Atascadero Firefighter’s Association will host an adult costume party on Saturday, Oct. 25 5o raise money for local charities. Atascadero Main Street and a handful of churches will host activities for the younger Halloween lovers on Halloween night. Whatever you’re looking for, there is something for everyone when it comes to Halloween in Atascadero.
Saturday, Oct. 25
- Charles Paddock Zoo Boo from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at 9100 Morro Road. The annual Halloween event will include carnival games, activities, and trick and treats. The zoo calls it a “not-too-scary night at the zoo.” Attendees are encouraged to bring their own reusable trick or treat bag. The cost is $9 for regular admission, $8 for zoo members and children 2 and younger are free. For more information, go to www.charlespaddockzoo.org or call (805) 466-5080.
Volunteers run games at Zoo Boo at Charles Paddock Zoo. Photo by Heather Young
Forty-third annual Atascadero Fireman’s Ball from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Carlton Hotel in downtown Atascadero. Tickets are $40 each, while only 175 tickets will be pre-sold, there will be a few available to purchase at the door. The adult Halloween costume party will include dancing, passed appetizers and a costume contest. To reserve tickets, call (805) 470-3300 or email broberts@atascadero.org.
Friday, Oct. 31
- Atascadero Main Street will host its fourth annual Safe Trick-or-Treating in downtown Atascadero from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Entrada Avenue will be blocked off and will include trick-or-treating in the businesses, as well as nonprofits peppered along the street with treats. There will also be a D.J. and a bounce house. Dave’s Dogs will be on-site selling hot dogs, chips and sodas.
- Atascadero United Methodist Church, 11605 El Camino Real, will have a free Halloween Carnival from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will include trunk-or-treating, games, arts & crafts, a puppet show, costume contest, non-sweet snacks and a live band. For more information, call (805) 466-2566 or go to www.atascaderoumc.org.
- Refuge Church, 6955 Portola Road in Atascadero, will host a free Harvest Party from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The event will include a bounce house, games, giant slide, dancy, hot dogs, Flatman & Bobbin, a dunk tank and more. For more information, go to www.refugechurch.info or call (805) 466-3354.
Haunted House
- TNT Terrors will present a scary haunted house in downtown Atascadero at 5585 El Camino Real where Freedom Street Rods used to be located Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 25 and Thursday, Oct. 30 through Saturday, Nov. 1 from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $8 each or $30 for a group of four. A portion of the ticket price will go to the Friends of the Atascadero Library. The new, larger venue will allow for new scares. “We have really stepped up our game this year, and done our best to make it a terror-fying experience,” Scaremaster Chris Towers said. “We are open to all ages, but want to make it clear we will do everything we can to scare you, so the younger crowd should think carefully before coming.” For more information, go to tntterrors.com.
