Hometown haunts

With kiddie rides, pumpkin carving, a Ferris Wheel, a petting zoo and a Halloween costume contest, the 16th annual Trick or Treat on Main Street promises to be spooktacular.

The event, sponsored by the Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement District, is open to children of all ages. Steve Daniel, president of the Downtown Merchants Group and founder of the event, said it offers a variety of enjoyable activities from rides to restaurants.

“We draw in about 15,000 people, and it’s nothing but fun,” Daniel said.

There will also be a disc jockey to provide spooky music entertainment.

The Trick or Treat will be from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at 301 Main St., Huntington Beach. Admission is free and parking prices vary. Call (714) 969-0795 or visit www.hbdowntown.com for information.

Need a new face?

The Rock and Roll Emporium presents Hollywood FX make-up artist Cat Elrod.

Customers will have the opportunity to explore costume ideas and have their Halloween face professionally applied.

Specialties include movie characters, sexy vampires and witches, Hollywood beauty, old-age, burns, cuts, bruises and gashes.

The makeovers will go from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at 205 Main St., Huntington Beach. Cost is $25 to $50, depending on the costume. Call (714) 960-4040 to make an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Costume Bash

Fitzgerald’s pub invites you to rock your best costume and rock out at their Halloween Costume Bash.

The Pub will feature local band Jungle Juice to help celebrate the holiday.

The event will be from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday at 19171 Magnolia St., Huntington Beach. No cover charge. Call (714) 968-4523 for more information.

Halloween BOO!

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Halloween BOO! Victoria’s House of Horrors will host its local Halloween Bash that includes appetizer munchies, a cash bar, tarot card readings and DJ Music by Wingo.

Victoria’s asks you that you come in costume — or at least attempt one.

The bash goes from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday at 555 Pico Ave., Long Beach. Cost is $30 at door, adults only. Call (714) 231-4623 for information.

Calling all artists

Roger’s Gardens will host its eighth annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest today.

Jennifer Buckanavage, events coordinator at the Gardens, said children ages 12 and younger are invited to share their Halloween spirit and artistic skill.

“There will be three categories — carved, decorated and painted,” she said. “The pumpkins can be elaborate, simple, lighten, mechanical, scary or fun — anything goes.”

The pumpkins will be judged by a panel of Roger’s designers and staff, and the person with the best pumpkin from each category will receive a prized gift certificate to the Gardens.

All entries must be presented by 4 p.m. today. The event will also offer candy and beverages.

Rogers Gardens is at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar. Admission is free. Call (949) 640-5800 or visit www.rogersgardens.com for more information.

Larger than life

The Central Orange Coast YMCA annual Halloween Carnival is going bigger than ever this year.

In addition to the usual trick-or-treating, carnival games, bounce castle and magician, there will be major fun happening in the sports zone, said Maria Brunker, associate executive director of Community Development.

“The OC Flyers will be here with their pitching machine, which should draw in lots of fans,” she said.

The Zone will also have basketball and soccer games, Anaheim Ducks Goal Patrol, and a DJ and dancing.

There will be a haunted Scare Zone for those who dare to enter, as well as a Hallway of Fun for the littler ones.

The YMCA is also going big with prizes this year — the winner of the costume and trick-or-treat contests will win a year’s family membership to the center, valued at more than $900.

“We hope you will help us celebrate our community with this fun, safe, and memorable event,” Brunker said.

The YMCA Halloween Carnival will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at 2300 University Drive, Newport Beach.

Admission is free.

Call (949) 722-3807 for more information.