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Halloween events offer spooky, safe fun
halloween pic
Turlock Police urge trick-or-treaters to stay in groups when visiting neighborhood homes on Halloween, like this spookified house in the 4200 block of Merchant Lane. - photo by Photo Contributed

Parents looking for a safe place for children to enjoy Halloween fun won't have to look far this year.
A downtown Turlock event will give young ghosts, witches and super heroes a chance to visit participating businesses for holiday treats from noon to 5 p.m. Come night, ample amounts of sweet treats will be available for kids at the CSU Stanislaus Halloween Gala, sponsored by The Village Residential Life students and staff.
Both events are open to the public and provide family-friendly options for all ages. Here's a look at what each event will offer:

Kiwanis Club Community Trick-or-Treat:
• Families meet downtown at Central Park from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday, where they will receive a list of participating downtown businesses who will be giving out candy. Over 30 businesses will have tasty treats for the trick-or-treaters.
• Umpqua Bank will have an ice cream truck that will provide free ice cream at Central Park.
• Lancaster Painting will be giving out popcorn from their old-fashion popcorn machine, also at Central Park.

CSU Stanislaus Halloween Gala:
• Located at the CSUS dormitories from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday.
• Visitors can follow signs posted around the college to find the Christoffersen Parkway entrance that leads to the event.
• There will be two haunted houses: a spooky house geared toward older children and a happy haunted house geared toward younger children.
• There will be Halloween arts and crafts, games, and trick-or-treating.
• Attendees will be given maps of the dorms that are providing candy for trick-or-treaters and each participating dorm will be marked.
• The CSUS Honor Society will be giving away free books to all children.
The Turlock Police Department issues these reminders for the parents and trick-or-treaters:
• Children should be accompanied by a relative or trusted adult.
• Trick-or-treat in groups.
• Review a route for trick-or-treating beforehand.
• Use crosswalks when crossing the street.
• Remind children never to enter strange houses or vehicles.
• Have an action plan in case your child gets separated from the group.
• Bright colored costumes are encouraged so motorists can see pedestrians more easily.