Bewitching fun at school

Love Halloween and all the costumes, but not so sure about going out at night? Schools in the Newport-Mesa region may have some alternatives.

Like every year, schools throughout the Newport-Mesa Unified School District are offering parades, haunted houses, mazes and other family-oriented events this week in honor of the fall and the upcoming Halloween holiday.

And while some are aimed at families with kids who attend the school, others are meant for the whole community.

Here are some of the activities going on around town:

PARADES

Elementary schools throughout Newport Beach and Costa Mesa will hold Halloween parades that give their youngsters the chance to march around in full costume. Many schools have such annual traditions, including: Adams Elementary School, which holds its annual Halloween parade at 8:30 a.m. Friday on the school playground; Harbor View Elementary, which holds its event at 8:20 a.m. Friday; Lincoln Elementary, which encourages parents and families to attend its annual Boo Blast at 8:30 a.m. Friday; Paularino Elementary, whose annual Boo Parade also takes place at 8:30 a.m. Friday; and Sonora Elementary, whose parade includes songs as well as costumes and starts at 8:15 a.m. Friday.

While the public may be able to see the fun, district spokeswoman Laura Boss said these events were intended for students and their families.

MAZE

Corona del Mar High School’s Performing Arts and Multi-media Academy (PAMA) is hosting a haunted maze as a fundraiser Thursday night, open to the general public. The event will be in the back parking lot of the school, 2101 Eastbluff Drive, Newport Beach. Tickets are $3.

HAUNTED HOUSE

Those kids looking for a good old-fashioned scare might want to go to TeWinkle Middle School’s haunted house, billed as “old school.”

In addition to those who go to local feeder schools, residents of the community at large are also invited.

The fundraising event began Monday and runs through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the school, 3224 California Ave., Costa Mesa; admission is $3 for a single admission, or $5 to go through twice. Snacks are also for sale.