Fright night! Halloween brings fun, food, surprises

Spooky and haunted with ghosts and goblins, playfully bobbing for apples, masquerading in costumes, carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating to load up on candy, Halloween is a delightful time for kids but it’s become a fun time for all ages.

With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year it’s likely kids and teens will get extra mileage of the black-and-orange day while parents plan parties and everyone can enjoy the day in their own way.

No matter what’s being planned for Halloween, local shops have virtually everything needed for dressing up, trick-or-treating, planning a party or decorating the inside and outside of the home.

HOME AND GARDEN

Eleanor’s Home & Garden shop in Continental Plaza has a variety of keepsake tabletop pieces to make a home come alive for Halloween and autumn.

Decorative witches, cats and pumpkins can easily turn a side table or shelf into one with whimsy and color. Seasonal party dishes and serving trays are keepers for years to come.

“One collectible that customers add to each year is Skinny Leg Figures by Lori Mitchell. They’re inspired by children’s themes, old illustrations and toys... these whimsical pieces are pure fun and adults love them. Collectors stop in to buy the latest pieces each year,” owner Eleanor Chandler said.

For outdoor d/cor Eleanor has colorful yard art — witch plant stakes, “boo” signs, autumn wreaths and decorative flags that say “Happy Halloween” or “Autumn at Last.”

Eleanor’s Home & Garden is on the northeastern corner of Continental Plaza and is open Monday through Friday from 10 to 4, and Saturday 10 to 3; 399-2228.

THE PARTY PLACE

“We’re a party store,” said Sharon Mercer, owner of The Party Place at Rancho Sahuarita Marketplace. “We carry everything — table accessories, lively treat-or-treat candy trays, orange and black balloons, streamers, costumes, edible orange and black cake glitter, glo sticks, metallic-beaded necklaces, blinking pins and funny glasses — and the list goes on.”

Watching Mercer unpack some of the season’s glitzy costumes there’s dress-up fun for everyone — from infants to toddlers, kids to teens and adults, too.

Girls can have their pick from being a pretty in pink witch, a cheerleader, fairy princess, mermaid of the sea, Cleopatra or Tinkerbell. Then accessorize by adding a wig, bat earrings, spider jewelry, flashy lashes — or a witch’s broom.

Boys can play pirate as Captain Hook, cowboy, solder and skeleton (complete with sound chip) and add a half- or full-face mask.

But it’s not only kids and adults who can dress up for Halloween. Mercer has costumes for canines too. Really!

Dress pooch up as a football player, cheerleader or as part of a harem and take the dogs trick-or-treating, too.

The Party Place is open Monday thru Friday from 10 to 7, Saturday 9 to 7 and Sunday 9 to 3; 396-3098.

FUN IN TOWN

The Town of Sahuarita Parks and Recreation Department, along with the Green Valley Fire District and Rural Metro are working together to ensure fun and safe activities on Oct. 30 and 31.

Assistant Chief of the Green Valley Fire District Bill Bohling said much like last year there will be a Halloween safe house and a children’s carnival area with games from 6 to 9 p.m. on both nights. A concession area will sell hot dogs, soda and refreshments.

Plan on a night of haunted fun, games, surprises and guessing who’s inside that fun costume or behind that scary mask!

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.