Oroville kicks off Halloween season with scarecrow contest
If you’re ghoulish for Halloween there are plenty of spooktacular activities to enjoy throughout October.
The fall festivities kick off at 4 p.m. Friday with the sixth annual Downtown Oroville Scarecrow contest. Twenty businesses will be showing off their scariest, cutest and funniest scarecrows. Your vote will determine this year’s winner and enter you to win a $50 gift card to a downtown business of your choosing. TinyHinies will be offering face painting and live scarecrows from Chico Princess Parties will be roaming downtown ready to take pictures with the kiddos.
The Worms Crawl In, The Worms Crawl Out
Get ready for a creepy, crawly time on Friday the 13th when the Oroville Botanic Garden and Education Center hosts its second annual Spooky Eye Spy Insets. This family-friendly event, 7-9 p.m. at the Dunstone Memorial Hall, 4790 Foothill Blvd., features night-time insect viewing and education, black-light activities and candy stations. Kids are encouraged to come in costume. The event is free but donations are welcome.
Music, Bloody Mary’s and more
The downtown district will be buzzing Oct. 20 with frightfully fun activities starting at 4 p.m. when Villa Vino Wine Bar, 1440 Myers St., opens for Haunted Sip and Spook. This event is being billed as a an “enlightening and frightening experience” as local historian Danny Ballard entertains guests with the ghost stories of Oroville at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.
At 5 p.m. Myers Street will be close between Montgomery and Robinson streets for the October Show and Stroll car show. There’s a $15 fee to enter a car into the show and trophies and cash prizes will be awarded. There will also be street vendors as well as food and drinks for sale. For more information visit the Show N Stroll Facebook page.
Also starting at 5 p.m. is a Halloween scavenger hunt which will take scroungers on a treasure hunt through 11 downtown businesses. Check in, maps and instructions will be available at Lunatic Fringe, 1977 Montgomery St. A drawing for a gift basket filled with goodies from participating stores will be held at 7 p.m. for those who complete the hunt.
At the corner of Bird and Myers streets, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Ragtop Rockers will be performing classic ’50s rock ‘n’ roll with special guest artists Teri Cote, former drummer for the David Cassidy Band, and hometown son Kevin Marcy of the Marcy Brothers Band.
From 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Dead Miners Alley, a scary haunted walk between Huntoon and Myers streets, will be open for strolling, if you’re brave enough. Check in for this event will be at 1359 Huntoon St. and tickets are $5 per person. All proceeds benefit All About Children, a nonprofit benefitting local children. Please note, this event is not suitable for very young children.
For those 21 and older, Oroville’s Best Bloody, a Bloody Mary tasting event, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at 1977 Montgomery St. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample bucket of blood cocktails made by local bartenders from the Gym, Union, Provisions, Moose Lodge and the Keg room among others and vote on their favorite. The winning bartender will receive a trophy and title of Oroville’s Bloodiest 2023. The cost to imbibe is $20 per person or $30 for two in advance at www.eventbrite.com. Tickets will also be available at the door for $25 each.
At 7 p.m. at the corner of Myers and Bird streets, it’s the Miss Show and Stroll Pinup Ghoul Contest. This is not a costume contest though contestants will be judged on their Halloween attire, poise and personality. Prizes include a gift certificate for Oroville Tattoo, a photo shoot with Tracy Grant Photography, swag bags, a crown and cash. Entry rules and more information is available on the Show N Stroll Facebook page.
Family Fun Frights
From 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at 2353 Myers St., Currier Square will host a free hauntingly happy Halloween party. Kids are invited to dress in costume and bring their families and friends for an evening of activities, treats, music and dancing. For more information visit the Currier Square Facebook page.
The annual Halloween Haunted House, 481 Nelson Ave., opens its doors to kids of all ages at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 27, 28 and 31. This free haunted house includes all the regular spooks as well as “real monsters.” Street parking only and doors close at 10 p.m.
Join the fun on Oct. 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. when Grace Baptist Church hosts its Harvest Festival. This free event at 3646 Oro Dam Boulevard is open to all ages and features games, a photo booth, food and lots of candy for the kids.
Howl-O-Ween Bash
A benefit dinner for the Northwest SPCA animal shelter will be held at the Kelly Ridge Event Center, 5131 Royal Oaks Drive, on Oct. 28. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner — barbequed trip-tip and chicken with a vegetarian option, side dishes and beverages — starts at 7 p.m. The event is open to those 21 and older and includes a Halloween costume contest with prizes awarded to the top three contestants. There will also be music and dancing, a nohost bar, raffle and silent auction including Feather Falls Casino Baskets that include a stay at the lodge and a dining voucher and a Fort Bragg get-away basket that includes hotel, dining and excursion gift certificates. Seating is limited to 300. Advance tickets, available at the Northwest SPCA, 2787 South Fifth St., are $30 per person or $35 at the door.