Guide to Annual Halloween Activities for Families in Simi Valley, California
I remember spending my Halloween nights as a kid roaming the streets of Simi Valley with hundreds of other kids. It seemed like maybe only one or two houses each block had their lights turned out, so within just an hour or so, we went home with pillowcases full of candy.
Last year, I spent Halloween at home eagerly awaiting trick-or-treaters, with a full bowl of candy ready to give. Only a handful of kids came, so I had to give a handful of candy to each to get rid of all the candy. If you have ever been in Simi Valley on Halloween though, you may have noticed that the amount of trick-or-treaters out on the streets has certainly dwindled. As a result, the amount of people willing to spend the night at home passing out candy has dwindled too. It is sad that it has happened, but it has, so families with kids will need to adjust. Here are some places that you can take your kids to ensure lots of candy and a great time.
The Park District’s Annual Halloween Carnival
Each year the park district puts on a huge Halloween carnival with inflatable jumpers and slides, carnival-style games, and a trick-or-treat village. It is a huge event, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Halloween night, and only costs $4 per child (adults are only $1). Everyone, even the adults, show off their costumes at this fun event. It takes place at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park on Los Angeles Avenue, across from the train station.
Simi YMCA Halloween Festival
Every Halloween, the Simi Valley Family YMCA, located at 3200 Cochran St., hosts a Halloween Festival. While no precise information is available at the time of this publication about this year’s event, past events have been from 6 to 8 p.m., and featured pumpkin painting, apple bobbing, and family relays. Costumes are always great, and the cost is usually $10 per family, which is a great value for large families.
Cornerstone Community Church Harvest Fest
Every year, Cornerstone Community Church, located at 2080 Winifred Street, throws a great bash on Halloween from 5:30-8 p.m. The best part about this event is that it is free, and has the potential for lots of candy fast at the “trunk or treat” where cars line up in the parking lot with their trunks open and decorated and full of candy. Non-scary costumes are welcome, so bring your princesses and pumpkins, but leave your vampires and witches at home. There is also lots of great food and games. This event is huge and fun for the whole family. Plus, did I mention, it’s FREE!
Grace Brethren Church Harvest Fest
At Grace Brethren Church (not the schools) on Sycamore Drive, there is a Harvest Festival that includes an inflatable jump, lots of games and food, and tons of candy. Every child gets a free portrait in their costume by Mark Daniel Photography. All non-scary costumes are welcome, but the event does have a costume theme. The theme for 2006 is, “what you want to be when you grow up.”
