Family-friendly Halloween happenings

October 28, 4:40 PMLA Faith & Community ExaminerJennifer Oliver O'Connell

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Come celebrate the Harvest!
Photograph courtesy of digitalphotos.net

Christians vary in their opinions of the celebration of Halloween.  Some condemn it as Satanic, and refuse to acknowledge it, let alone participate in any event that highlights its existence, while others take a more evangelistic approach, passing out gospel tracks along with the Reese's cups.

Still there are Christians who believe this is the day the Lord has made--and it doesn't matter who has co-opted it.  Though some may choose to focus on the dark, the macabre and the spooky aspects of the day, and others may feel the day has been corrupted by the culture, these Christians choose to engage the culture with the love of Jesus, and to take advantage of opportunities to share light, fun and cheer. Whether it be through sharing candy, or a participating in family-friendly celebrations within the community.

It is for those believers that we list these children and family-friendly Harvest and Halloween Events in the San Fernando Valley.

Happy Halloween!

Harvest Festival
This is an annual festival with food, rides and a corn maze. This year's theme is "Grow Your Vote," embedded in community awareness and across the corn maze. 

All proceeds benefit Pierce College.

This event runs from September 25 through November 2, 2009.

Festival Hours:
Sunday-Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m.

Corn Maze Hours:
Corn Maze will be open everyday
Sunday-Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m.

Haunted House & Trail Hours:
Open on October 28, 29, 30, 31 and November 1.
Weekdays: Dusk-10:00 p.m.
Weekends: Dusk-12:00 a.m.

20800 Victory Boulevard, Woodland Hills, CA

See the website for more details.

Forneris Farms Harvest Festival

Celebrate the changing of the seasons with this fun-for-the-whole-family shindig, featuring a four-acre corn maze, tractor rides, friendly farm animals and fresh produce.

This event runs from October 9 through November 1, 2009.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays: 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Corn Maze: $7.00 per person (Children 3 and under free with paid adult); Tractor Pulled Train Ride: $5.00 per person (Children one year and under free with parent); Farm Frolic Area for Kids: $4.00 (Parent enter free with child paid ticket).

Forneris Farms
15200 Rinaldi St., Mission Hills, CA
(818) 730-7739

Tapia Bros Pumpkin Patch

This family run patch has been entertaining families (and supplying them with pumpkins) for generations. Highlights include a petting zoo and a spook house. FREE admission, fee for entertainment.

This event runs from October 27 through November 14, 2009
9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

5152 Havenhurst, Encino, CA
(818) 905-6155

Halloween Story at Lollipop Dream

Come on over and cozy up on our rugs and pillows to hear a fun animated story! We sing songs, dance, blow up balloon animals and do face painting!  Admission is free.

Friday, October 30, 2009
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Lollipop Dream
4818 Fulton Avenue, Sherman Oaks, CA

See the website for more details.

Handstand Kids Cooking Halloween Workshop at Lollipop Dream

Come join us for a Halloween fun cooking class! You don't want to miss out! We have yummy treats ready for you! For ages 2 1/2 to 8 years. Space is limited and reservations are required.Cost is $40.00 per child for a 90-minute class. Supplies and meal included.

Friday, October 30, 2009
3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Lollipop Dream
4818 Fulton Avenue, Sherman Oaks, CA

See the website for more details.

Riverside Drive 2009 Fall Festival

Come join the Riverside Drive Family for its annual Fall Festival. This year's theme will be a Halloween Fun Fest! Come feed the family, tour the Haunted House (if you dare), rock out with the DJ, show your Karaoke skills, play games, take a professional picture in your costume with friends, have a blast!

There will be an awesome silent auction with amazing items, live entertainment, food vendors, and games developed by each grade for the kids! Enjoy spin art, a photo booth, tattoos, face painting, and haunted house and more.

All proceeds will support Riverside Drive Elementary and will help them to keep programs like art, drama, computers, and physical education, all of which were lost due to budget cuts.

Admission is free.

This Event runs from October 30 through October 31, 2009.

Friday, October 30, 2:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 31, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Riverside Drive Elementary
13061 Riverside Dr., Sherman Oaks, CA

See the website for more details.

Halloween Sing-Along at The Los Angeles Music Center

The Los Angeles Music Center invites families to sing along to spooky, ghoulish, and kooky Halloween tunes in the Plaza.  Space is limited, so early arrival is recommended; free tickets are given out 45 minutes prior to start of event.

Parking is available underneath the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for $8.00.

October 30, 2009
7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

The Los Angeles Music Center
135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 972-3660

Old Pasadena Halloween Celebration

Bring your little ghosts, witches, goblins and critters to Old Pasadena and One Colorado for store-to-store trick or treating, free haunted photos, an Old Town haunted house and a meet and greet with popular Halloween costumed characters. Attendees will experience a fun and safe atmosphere with hundreds of large pumpkins adding to the excitement. The spooky fun continues into the late evening as teenagers and adults are invited to visit the Old Town Haunt, Pasadena’s award-winning, and scary haunted house.

All ages are welcome.  All activities are free, except the Old Town Haunt which is $15.00 general admission.

October 31, 2009 through November 1, 2009
12:00 p.m.
Old Pasadena and One Colorado
(626) 356-9725

See the website for more details.

Harvest Halloween Festival with FUN & SAFE Trick or Treating

BBQ, pumpkin carving, hot cocoa, crafts, singing, cookies & treats (of course!). Come bring the entire family and join in the fun, fall atmosphere with your neighbors and community! Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.

October 31, 2009
2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
5619 Lindley Avenue, Tarzana
(corner of Burbank & Lindley Avenue)
(818) 708-7068

Creative PlayGround’s Halloween Stories

Three ghost tales that leave even the youngest audience members able to sleep at night, Halloween Stories is a perfect way to celebrate this holiday full of creativity and storytelling.

Admission: $8.00 per person. Groups of 5 or more $7.00 each. Kids under 2 years free. Birthday parties available.  Wheel Chair Accessible.

October 31, 2009
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; Doors open at 10:45 am

The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N. Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Topanga, CA
Cross Streets: Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Mulholland Drive)

See the website for more details.

Halloween Makeup for Adults and Kids

Get your Halloween Makeup done by celebrity film and TV special effects makeup artist Natalie Wood.

Wood will be working with her team of trained AMF artists to transform you. Be made up as your favorite Star Trek / Alien Nation character. Characters range from Princess and Pirates to Frankenstein and Terminator and more!  Reservations are required.

October 31, 2009
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Encino Town Center, Academy of Makeup & Fashion
17200 Ventura Boulevard, #105
Encino, CA. 91316
(818) 905-0828

Northridge Christian Church Harvest Festival

Offers games, live bands, delicious home made food and free candy and giveaways. Admission and parking are free.

October 31, 2009

Northridge Christian Church
18901 Chatsworth Street, Northridge, CA 91326
12:00 p.m.-4:00 pm.
(818) 368-3661

Hallelujah Harvest
A safe, fun, family-oriented alternative to Halloween.  Life is scary enough--come to Shepherd of the Hills Church for an entertaining evening without all the scary stuff!

Friday, October 30, 2009
5:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

Shepherd of the Hills Church, The Family Life Center
19700 Rinaldi Street, Porter Ranch, CA
(818) 831-9333

See the website for more details.

The Church on the Way Family Fall Festival

This festival is a fun night for the entire family! There'll be rides, giveaways, a food court, game booths, and, of course, candy! Kids, come in a fun and happy costumes. (Scary costumes will not be permitted.)

Saturday, October 31, 2009
4:00 p.m.

The Church on the Way, The Sports Field, West Campus
Sherman Way & Kester Avenue
Van Nuys, CA

Harvest Fair 2009

Join us in an evening of fun for the whole family: The Vineyard Harvest Fair. Free games with loads of candy and toys as prizes. We will have a special drama for the season and live music!

Friday, October 30, 2009
5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Valley Vineyard Reseda
6642 Reseda Boulevard
Reseda, CA

See the website for more details.

Children's Halloween Party

Bring the whole family. Come in costume (we prefer no scary characters, please). There will be craft booths, hot dogs and hamburgers on the barbeque, bounce-houses, and did I mention the live music?

Friday, October 30, 2009
5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

First Christian Church of North Hollywood, Annex
(corner of Colfax & Moorpark)
4390 Colfax Avenue
Studio City, CA

See the website for more details.