Halloween Thrills

The spirit of Halloween is alive Oct. 29-30 in the Fullerton Arboretum’s Haunted Garden. This year's two-night event will feature bats and bullfrogs, vampires and vermin, ghosts, ghouls and goblins, trees that whisper, growl and talk, and everything that goes “bump” in the night will be lurking along hidden trails. Tours begin at 6:30 p.m. both nights.

Count Dracula’s vampires will guide those who dare down garden paths into the deciduous forest to witness what it is like when cemeteries come alive and witches, skeletons, ghouls and animated plants and trees come out to play. After a spooky trip through our creepy garden paths, visitors will be greeted at the Haunter’s Ball with a “treat” and Halloween fun.

Caption: Youngsters join in the Halloween fun at the Fullerton Arboretum's Haunted Garden. Photo courtesy of the Fullerton Arboretum.

For younger Halloween fans, the Haunted Garden will feature a Children’s Party on Saturday, Oct. 30. The 1-3 p.m. festivities will include a costume parade, pumpkin patch tours, face painting, crafts, games, refreshments and a few surprises for those 3 to 6 years old. Cost is $6 per child and children must be accompanied by at least one adult.

Pre-paid admission is encouraged. Advanced ticket purchases gives a choice of two time slots for the tour: 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30 p.m. Advance purchases are $6 for children 12 and under (may not be appropriate for children under 5); $10 for teens and adults. Admission at the door is $8-child, $12-adult if space is available. Space is limited and time slots can be requested by calling 657-278-4002 or online at www.fullertonarboretum.org.

All requests made by mail must include a check payable to “Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum” and postmarked by Oct. 27. Tickets will be held at “Will Call” the evening of the event. Haunted Garden tours are approximately 30 minutes long and are led by Arboretum tour guides.

Sept. 24, 2010