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Downtown will become a Witchy Walk-A-Bout
By Jennifer M. van der Kleut
Ghosts, goblins and ghouls are taking over the otherwise friendly city of Saratoga.
Here are a couple of ways to get into the Halloween spirit in Saratoga this year.
One time-honored Saratoga tradition is the Witchy Walk-A-Bout, which takes place along Big Basin Way in downtown. This year the event will take place on Oct. 28, 2-4 p.m.
Major sponsors of the event include the Saratoga Rotary Club, Farmers Insurance, AFM Productions and various Saratoga Village merchants, including John Marion and Big Basin Chiropractic, 14471 Big Basin Way. This will be Marion's third year in the event.
"I wanted to bring more people downtown and do something for the kids," says Marion.
Marion is playing a large part in the organization of this year's Witchy Walk-A-Bout.
"I helped with getting fliers to the schools and coordinating with the Village merchants, the Rotary Club and some of the other sponsors," he says.
Marion's business, Big Basin Chiropractic, also serves as the center of the event, where trick-or-treaters can pick up their complimentary goodie bags and balloons. It's also where the Mystery Wall is located.
"The Mystery Wall is a wall with several holes in it," Marion explains. "Kids can stick their hands in the holes, and they might get candy, or they might stick their hand in a bucket of noodles, which feel like brains, or a bucket of ice."
Older kids are on the far side of the wall and help to scare the children by grabbing their hands and making scary sounds.
"It's a lot of fun," Marion says.
The event includes face painting and temporary tattoos. The Book-Go-Round is offering a free book to children who stop by dressed in costume.
Those looking for something different may want to check out Garrod Farms, at the Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards, 22647 Garrod Road in Saratoga. This year, it hosts the Mt. Eden Halloween Fest Vaulting competition.
The event highlights all levels of equestrian vaulting athletes and their horses, from adults to tiny tots, as they compete in three arenas. Children perform their vaulting routines dressed in full Halloween costumes.
The Mt. Eden Vaulting Club is one of the nation's oldest and most successful vaulting clubs. The group introduces equestrian vaulting at Garrod Farms with a drop-in class and recreational classes. Youngsters and adults alike can experience hands-on training with experienced coaches and gentle horses.
"Vaulting is a unique and growing sport that combines gymnastics and dance on a moving horse. It's a wonderful way for youngsters to develop coordination, balance, strength and creativity while working in harmony with their equine partner," says Fabrizio Corno of the Mt. Eden Vaulting Club.
The event takes place on Oct. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It free and open to the public, with no parking fees. Food will be available for sale.
The event is suitable for the entire family, and attendees can meet the athletes and their horses, walk through the historic barn, and even rent horses for a trail ride. Hikes or bike rides through the Fremont-Older Preserve can be taken, and wine tasting is available.
