A howlin’ good time

Eron Ben-Yehuda

For a frightfully good time, check out what Huntington Beach has to offer

this Halloween.

Residents can kick off their trick or treating early at the Huntington

Beach Mall. Starting at 1 p.m., stores will offer free goodies to all

visitors. Children can head over to the arts and crafts area to color in

pictures of witches and ghosts or glue sequins and feathers on masks.

You can also enter a costume contest or take a photo in a pumpkin patch.

Starting at 8 p.m., a haunted house will open at the old Wells Fargo

building in the mall at 7777 Edinger Ave. The house contains 16 rooms

cloaked in darkness except for a flashlight you hold as you walk through

a maze of ghoulish delight. All the events are free except for the

haunted house, which costs $8 for admission.

To make room for family fun, the first three blocks of Main Street will

be closed to vehicle traffic.

“It’s the best thing we do Downtown,” said Steve Daniel, president of the

Downtown Business Assn., which sponsors the event.

There’s a small Ferris wheel, a pony ride and petting zoo with pigs,

goats, chickens and ducks, he said. The truly adventurous can try the

Human Pretzel ride.

“We have no idea what that is,” Daniel said.

Throw in contests for the best costumes, pumpkin carvers and store

decorations, and everybody wins. Admission is free.

Across town at the Oak View police substation, police and volunteers will

give away candy, coloring books and Junior Police badges to about 500

children starting at 5 p.m.

“In many cases, this is the only place these people have to trick or

treat,” volunteer Abigail Francis said.

Swampy the Clown will hand out treats but don’t be fooled if she offers

the children scoops of ice cream in their goodie bags. Avoid the mess and

take candy instead.

The substation is at the northwest corner of Beach Boulevard and Slater

Avenue.

To make sure kids are safe during the holiday, Huntington Beach Police

Sgt. Janet Perez offers some helpful hints.

* There’s strength in numbers. Trick or treat in a group.

* Stay in your neighborhood where the surroundings and the people are

familiar.

* Carry a flashlight and obey all traffic signals.

* Don’t wear costumes that impair your vision or cause you to trip.

* Never enter a stranger’s house even if you’re invited.

* Inspect all your treats for tampering. Discard loosely wrapped or

homemade candy.