\t\t\t\t\tOverview: Halloween in the Village<\/p>\n
The La Mesa Village Association is hosting its 7th Annual Halloween in the Village on Oct. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m., so our kids can learn just how rewarding it can be to go door to door, announcing \u201cTrick-or-treat!\u201d and receiving M&Ms in return.<\/p>\n
When I was a young ghoul, I lived for trick-or-treating around my neighborhood on Halloween.<\/p>\n
My friends and I haunted the surrounding houses, decrying the random pennies and apples dumped in our bags, and instead treasured Sixlets, mini chocolate bars, and Jolly Ranchers, even though the latter made us regret it the minute we unwrapped them.<\/p>\n
Halloween was a time for camaraderie and good old-fashioned beggary, a skill parents still find useful when our kids are fundraising.<\/p>\n
These days, Halloween is a different beast. <\/p>\n
The enduring urban myth of razor blades in candies and too many episodes of \u201cLaw and Order: SVU\u201d have played their own scary tricks on our minds. As a community, many of us feel torn between trekking around town and staying home with our kids and Hocus Pocus on Disney+.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, local La Mesa businesses are refusing to let the spirit of Halloween die.<\/p>\n
The La Mesa Village Association<\/a> is hosting its 7th Annual Halloween in the Village<\/a> on Oct. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m., so our kids can learn just how rewarding it can be to go door to door, announcing \u201cTrick or treat!\u201d and receiving M&Ms in return.<\/p>\n Better yet, the La Mesa Village Farmers Market<\/a> will be open at the same time \u2013 from 3 to 7 p.m. \u2013 allowing street vendors to join the howlingly good time with dressed-up booths and treats for all.<\/p>\n The Village promises Insta-worthy shots with Halloween-themed stilt walkers, a Halloween-themed organ concert at the La Mesa First United Methodist Church<\/a>, a DJ near the fountain courtyard by the La Mesa Boulevard Trolley Station, and a balloon artist to twist and turn balloons into monsters out of your imagination.<\/p>\n For those whose children are hairy and run on all fours 365 days of the year, the Village Association is staging a Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest.<\/p>\n Check-in begins at 5 p.m. at the fountain courtyard, and all dogs must be on a leash and other pets must be in carriers.<\/p>\n Please note that leaving pet messes behind is unwelcome trickery and strongly discouraged.<\/p>\n Individual Village merchants are offering treats of their own, and if you\u2019re avoiding sugar, there\u2019s still a lot to see and do.<\/p>\n Personally, I\u2019m planning to get a fortune from Zoltar outside Amethyst Moon<\/a> and visit Team Z Realty<\/a> for the photo op with themed characters and games.<\/p>\n Early treats at Grossmont Center<\/p>\n