The spooky season is upon us and local organizations and community groups are making sure they make up for last year’s semi-canceled Halloween with event and activities that the whole family can enjoy! Whether you’re into thrills and chills or something a little less scary, below are our top picks to get you into the Halloween spirit this month!
Halloween Scary Story Contest at The Book Jewel
Deadline: Friday, October 22nd 8 p.m.
Calling all writers and aspiring R.L. Stines and Stephen Kings! Westchester’s independent bookstore, The Book Jewel, is calling on the community to get creative and is hosting multiple Halloween-themed contests this month!
First up is a Halloween Picture Contest for ages 4 to 6. Kids are invited to draw an original piece of art and submit it to the shop by Friday, October 22nd at 8 p.m. Three winning artists will be selected to receive a $25 gift card.
For those 7- to 12-years-old, The Book Jewel wants to read your original scary story! Stories must be submitted to the shop on paper and include the writer’s name, age and contact information. Winners must be available to read their tales of terror at The Book Jewel’s Halloween Party on October 30th. Stories should be five minutes or less.
Three writers will receive a $25 gift card and one grand prize story winner will receive a $50 gift card to The Book Jewel.
Teens and adults are also invited to get in on the fun and express their inner Edgar Allan Poes. Those interested in entering the Scary Story Contest are asked to submit their original story on paper to the store by Friday, October 22 at 8 p.m. Stories should be scary, yet family-appropriate, and be 5 minutes or less when read aloud. The winners must be available to share their creative fiction at The Book Jewel on October 29th.
The contest will be broken up into two categories: ages 13 to 18 and adults. The grand prize is a $50 gift card. Three runners-up will also receive a $25 gift card.
Costumes are welcome at The Book Jewel’s Halloween parties! The Book Jewel is located at 6259 W. 87th Street in Westchester.
For more information, please visit thebookjewel.com.
Halloween Spooktacular with the Westchester Family YMCA at HHLA
Saturday, October 30th | 4 to 7 p.m.
The Westchester Family YMCA and HHLA have teamed up this month for a fun Halloween experience that is sure to send chills down your spine!
Bring the kids to HHLA’s Center Court for a chance to play games, win prizes, enjoy spooky photo ops and participate in a costume parade! Dancing, a sing-a-long with DJ Casper, trick-or-treating and a chance to meet Jack and Sally round out the event.
Tickets for the Halloween Spooktacular are $10 per child. The first 200 families to sign-up will receive a goodie bag filled with HHLA retailer coupons, gift cards and giveaways. The first 200 kids ages 12 and under will also receive a pumpkin craft and sweet treats.
For more info and to RSVP, visit https://apm.activecommunities.com/ymcala/Activity_Search/223622
HHLA is located at 6081 Center Dr. in Westchester.
Howl-o-ween at PetSpace
Saturday, October 30th | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Celebrate Halloween with activities that both kids and pets will love at PetSpace’s annual Howl-o-ween event. Activities include a pup-kin patch activities for dogs, an interactive trick-or-treat trail for kids, photo ops, treats for dogs, crafts and a scavenger hunt! Candy and refreshments will also be provided, and children are invited to dress up in family-friendly costumes.
For more info and to RSVP, please visit annenbergpetspace.org.
Halloween at the Westchester Farmers’ Market
Sunday, October 31st | 9 to 1 p.m.
Halloween falls on a Sunday this year, so that means it’s time to celebrate at the Westchester Farmers’ Market! Stop by the market on October 31st for special activities including pumpkin painting, Halloween story time with The Book Jewel and treats for costumed kids!
The farmers’ market is located in the 6200 block of 87th Street (between Coffee Co. and Truxton’s).
Visit their website at westchesterfarmersmkt.com for details on this month’s festivities!
Monster Dash 5K
Sunday, October 31st | 9 a.m.
Kick-off your Halloween festivities and prepare for all the candy you’re going to eat by signing up for the second annual Monster Dash in Playa Vista! Hosted by Elevation Health, Playa Vista and RUNWAY, this Halloween-themed fun run/walk will take place along Millennium Drive.
The cost to register is $45 for adults and $30 for children 15 and under (plus fees). Participants will receive a custom finisher medal and access to sponsor booths and giveaways.
Costumes are encouraged!
For more info and to RSVP, visit tinyurl.com/monsterdash2021.
Halloween Bash at Runway
Sunday, October 31st | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit RUNWAY Playa Vista for a family-friendly outdoor experience that is sure to scare up some fun!
The shopping center will be turned into a creepy, crawly celebration featuring candy from the Candy Coach, spooky crafts, a photo booth, special entertainment, a live DJ and more!
Don’t forget your costumes! RSVP at runwayplayavista.com/events.
Runway is located at 12775 W. Millennium Drive in Playa Vista.
Hometown Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Deadline: November 1st at noon
The HomeTown News is getting in on the Halloween spirit and is hosting a Hometown Halloween Pumpkin Decorating Contest!
Those interested in participating are encouraged to use their creativity to create a scary, funny or silly entry by either decorating or carving a pumpkin. Community members can enter the contest by emailing a photo of their spooktacular creation to westchesterhometown@yahoo.com by November 1st at noon. We’ll post some of our favorite photos and one lucky winner will win a $25 gift card to The Book Jewel!
Team Tami Pumpkin Patch
Tuesday, October 19 | 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Reserve your free pumpkin for Team Tami’s Pumpkin Patch and Pumpkin Decorating Contest!
The pumpkin patch will be open on Tuesday, October 19th from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at their office located at 323 Culver Blvd. in Playa del Rey.
The winner of the pumpkin decorating contest wins a $400 Disney Gift Card!
More details to follow about the contest when you pick up your pumpkins.
RSVP at: https://bit.ly/TeamTamiPumpkinPatch.
Posted October 2021.
