The Halloween season gets underway in Turlock on Oct. 3 with the fourth annual Sip and Stroll in downtown Turlock, revamped this year to include a witch walk.
“A lot of people had been asking about the witch walk up in Murphys,” said event organizer Marissa Miranda, who owns the Little Red Door boutique downtown. “So, this is the first year we’ve incorporated the Halloween theme and have people dress up.”
The adults-only social event begins with a 2 p.m. check-in at the Little Red Door, 340 E. Main St. Tickets are $45, which gets each ticketholder 20 tastings.
Besides the Halloween theme (attendees are encouraged to dress up), new to this stroll will be two restaurants – Central Station and Gray’s Tavern.
“We’ve asked for feedback each year and the No. 1 thing mentioned was that customers would like more food options, such as small bites or to-go options,” said Miranda. “So Central Station and Gray’s Tavern will have special to-go options for ticketholders.
“We considered doing food trucks, but we were hesitant do that because the stroll is happening while the restaurants are open.”
A total of 10 small businesses – Vail Creek Jewelry (main sponsor), Little Red Door, Bella Forte, D2, the Barber Club, Rustic Roots, Main Street Antiques, Envy, Paper Moon and the Turlock Historical Museum – will host one winery or brewery, and those wineries and breweries will provide two tastings at their location.
Miranda’s sister, Isabella, worked at the Little Red Door in Santa Cruz, and helped organize a sip-and-stroll there.
Why not do the same in Turlock?
“We talked to the downtown Turlock business committee,” said Miranda. “And here we are.”
The first 50 ticketholders to check in will receive a free drawstring tote bag.
On Oct. 23-24, the Turlock Historical Museum – 108 S. Center St. – will conduct its annual Downtown Turlock Ghost Walk, with tours stars at 7, 7:30, 8, and 8:30 p.m.
The 90-minute walk meanders through downtown Turlock and is led by “ghost hosts” from the city’s past. Participants get access to buildings that are said to be haunted, such as the former Geer Building (a former hotel that is situated atop Rustic Roots), the Sierra Building (which used to house a 17-bed hospital and is now home to M&M Realty), and the Berg Building (legend has it that the cigar smoke of former owner Martin Berg's stogies can still sometimes be smelled).
Tickets are $35 and available for purchase at Main Street Antiques, 208 E. Main St.
On Oct. 29, Lifestyle Realty – 2501 Geer Road – will hold the fifth annual Costumes for a Casuse, an adults-only event where you can experience Halloween thrills inside their haunted mansion. The event, which benefits Jessica’s House, costs $50 to attend and features music, hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. 21 and older only.
