Halloween Carnival, Trunk or Treat next week

The Canyon Lake Family Matters Club’s 8th Annual Halloween Carnival is creepy close. The popular Carnival, Trunk or Treat and Costume Contest will take place Oct. 30 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Holiday Harbor Park.

Lots of spooky fun and activities will be followed by a costume contest, a trunk or treat and a Halloween Movie. Trunk or Treat is free and open to the Canyon Lake community. Dozens of game booths, face painting, craft stations, face painting, a dance party, tattoos and other fun activities can be purchased for a $5.00 wristband per child.

The free children’s costume contest for various ages with prizes and a parade starts at 5:00 p.m.

“This will be a fun family safe/friendly event,” club founder Shawna Bowen said. “There will be some awesome prizes for the costume contest.”

All kinds of activities, including a costume contest, will be part of the Canyon Lake Family Matters Club’s Halloween Carnival next week. Teen volunteers are also being sought to assist and to earn high school volunteer hours.

Part of the carnival includes a vendor shopping area for local-made items and holiday crafts. Vendor booths are available for $40.00 and the application to obtain one is on the club website, familymattersclub.org. A contest for the best “costumed” vendor booth will be judged at the event and a cash prize will be given to the winner.

Returning this year will be a Trunk or Treat where goodies can be given and received by participants. During the trunk or treat portion of the event, kids will be able to trick or treat and receive some yummy goodies. Participants young and old are encouraged to come dressed in their costumes and bring their bags or plastic pumpkins for their trunk or treating.

The parking lot will be sectioned off and families can come and participate in the Trunk or Treat by decorating their car or golf cart and handing out candy or other goodies.

Separate grand prizes for the best Trunk or Treat vehicle and best Trunk or Treat tent/walkthrough will be given. To participate, vehicles and tent/walkthroughs will need to enter ahead of time so the club can be sure there is enough space for all the entries.

An old fashioned apple bobbing contest will be a part of next week’s Canyon Lake Family Matters Club’s Halloween Carnival. The carnival includes several games, food, trunk or treat, costume contest and a Halloween movie. Photo provided by Shawna Bowen

Entry forms with all the details and inspirations for decorating can be found on the Family Matters Club website.

The evening will conclude with a family-friendly Halloween movie at 6:15 p.m.

“We are also looking for sponsors to help donate to the event to keep it low cost and affordable for the families,” Shawna said. “This is also a super fun event for the teens to earn their school volunteer hours.”

A concession stand will be open for food and snacks throughout the afternoon and will sell everything from nachos and hot dogs to candy and beverages, Shawna said. Mummy dogs, dirt cups, rotten candy and a whole lot more yummies are on the menu.

The schedule for the various contests and events, which will all be held in the blue Canyon Lake Family Matters Club tent, is 3:30 p.m., Old fashioned apple bobbing (you will get wet); 4:00 p.m., Pretzel eating contest; 5:00 p.m., Costume contest and parade; 5:45 p.m., Trunk or Treat display winner announced; 6:00 p.m., Best decorated vendor booth announced; 6:15 p.m., Movie begins.

For more information on how to volunteer, enter, sponsor or be a vendor contact the club at info@familymattersclub.org or 714-394-4885.