Catalina Island Conservancy invites residents to join its Families in Nature program for an entertaining and educational celebration at the Third Annual Halloween in the Garden party from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden.
The party will feature live music, treats, face-painting, a treasure hunt, games, a costume contest and much more. Each child will be given a Treasure Hunt clue sheet at the front gate and asked to follow the clues to different plants around Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden where they can collect stamps to earn a candy bar.
Along the way, the youngsters will have the opportunity to decorate a treat bag they can use to collect prizes along the Wicked Walkway, a path lined with game stations. They also will have the opportunity to dissect an owl pellet, get their face painted and take a slow walk through the Boneyard, an area where Conservancy biologists will explain artifacts and the natural history of the Island. Children may also tackle an obstacle course on the Spooky Trail set up in the Garden, but they may want to watch out for the witch!
As the sun sets, a Pumpkin Plaza located near the Wrigley Memorial will fill with costumed merrymakers dancing to the sounds of an Island band, The Isleños. Local partners will provide sweet and savory snacks and drinks to enjoy. The Interact Club will host a pumpkin carving station, and guests can enjoy games and snap fun photos in the photo booth.
At 6 p.m., Mr. Sean’s Trail of Fright will open for those willing to brave its terrors. At 7 p.m., the Costume Contest will begin, so guests are encouraged to wear their scariest, most authentic and most creative costumes. Throughout the event, community members will be hosting fundraising booths, and around 40 volunteers will be working to ensure a fun and safe event.
Admission is free for all children under the age of 5, for active-duty military members and their families and for the first 1,000 Island residents. Admission for any additional guests will be $4 for children 5 to 12 years of age, $8 for adults and $6 for seniors, veterans and students (ID required). Halloween in the Garden is offered as part of the Families in Nature program, which is a monthly program the Conservancy offers to Island residents throughout the school year to give them the opportunity and the access to the Island’s interior to experience nature. The annual Halloween in the Garden event gives residents an opportunity to see and experience Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden, a showcase for Catalina’s native and endemic plants. The Conservancy offered a special thanks to the Halloween in the Garden sponsors: Three Palms Avalon Arcade, County of Los Angeles, Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn; Catalina Broadband; The Works Consulting; Island Rentals, Catalina Island Company; Lloyd’s of Avalon; Descanso Beach Ocean Sports; Vons and Antonio’s Pizza. Thank you also to the event’s Partners: The Catalina Art Association, The City of Avalon, Avalon Rotary Club, Interact Club, Kids at Play, Lions Club and Catalina Kid Ventures.
