Halloween events for all

Costumed children will be out in force Friday night, going door-to-door in their neighborhoods or taking part in a wide variety of community gatherings celebrating Halloween.

Halloween night includes merchant-sponsored events in downtown Marysville and at the Yuba Sutter Mall in Yuba City, costume contests, haunted houses and alternative festivals at area churches.

Scary costumes are not acceptable at church events.

A complete listing of local Halloween activities appears in today's "This Week's Community Calendar" on page C2.

Festivals

• Scarysville Halloween Festival — 5 to 9 p.m. in downtown Marysville. The evening includes merchants handing out treats to youngsters, games, a "Haunted Bakery" at First and C streets and a "Haunted House" at Fourth and C streets.

• Mini Monsters' Safe Trick-or-Treat — For children under 12 years old from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Yuba Sutter Mall in Yuba City. Activities include merchants handing out treats; and free photos taken of kids in costume, sponsored by AM1600 KUBA and Star 94.1.

• Summerfield Senior Living — Open house trick-or-treating from 2 to 4 p.m. at 1224 Plumas St. in Yuba City.

• Camelot kids fall festival — 6 to 9 p.m. at Calvary Christian Center, 2620 Colusa Highway in Yuba City. With a renaissance-theme, the event includes horse rides, sword fighters, a petting zoo and a snack bar, plus a barbecue meal. Renaissance costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $3 for children age 2 to 16 years. Admission is free for ages 2 years and younger and 17 years and older. Tickets can be purchased online at www.cccyc.net or at the church office, Brocks Ice Cream and Crosspointe Christian Books.

• Harvest Festival Fun Night — 6 to 9 p.m. at Calvary Christian Center, 4900 Powerline Road, Olivehurst. Participants are invited to bring their own rollerskates or rollerblades to use on the skating ring.

• Harvest Festival — 5:30 p.m. at the Yuba City Nazarene Church, 600 N. George Washington Blvd.

• Harvest Festival — 5 to 8 p.m. at the Feather River Baptist Church, 5400 Chestnut Road, Olivehurst.

• Kids for Christ Celebration — 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Hallwood Community Church of the Nazarene, 2825 Highway 20, Hallwood. A silent auction and a chili and pie contest are part of the event. Admission is $3 per person or $12 per family; and free for children 5 years and under.

Haunted Houses

• Friday Night Live three-story haunted house — 5 to 9 p.m. at Marysville's Packard Library building, Fourth and C streets, with a harvest festival outside. Part of the Scarysville Halloween Festival. Children under 12 years old should be accompanied by an adult. Admission is $1.

• House of Nightmares — 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 10 p.m. at The Arts Center, 732 Plumas St., Yuba City. The "house" is also set from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday. Admission is $2 daytime and $5 nighttime.

• Haunted House — 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 2012 Pepperwood Drive, Yuba City. To benefit Tierra Buena School eighth-grade trip. Admission is $1.

• Ghostly Glen Wood Spook-tacular Scare Affair — 6:30 to 9 p.m. at 689 Glenwood Drive, Yuba City. Sponsored by Girl Scout Troops 5 and 765. A donation of $2.50 and a canned food item is requested.

• Haunted House — Dusk to dawn at the Harrold residence, 2633 Drummond Drive, off Garden Highway, in Yuba City

Safety Tips

For trick-or-treaters:

• Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing, or fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags.

• Carry a flashlight.

• Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible. Costumes should be flame-resistant.

• Walk in groups or with a trusted adult; or plan your route and share it with your family.

• Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic.

• Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.

• Keep away from lit candles or luminaries.

• Visit homes that have the porch light on.

• Accept treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house.

• Have an adult examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know who made it well.

For homeowners:

• Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.

• Keep candle-lit jack-o'-lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Red Cross Web sites