EVENTS

Frightfully busy: 'Scare Faire,' ghost towns, carnivals and more mark Halloween in the High Desert

'Scare Faire,' ghost towns, carnivals and more mark Halloween in the High Desert

Rene Ray De La Cruz
Victorville Daily Press
TV host Joe Bob Briggs, of Shudder’s “The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs,” will appear at the horror-themed “Scare Faire” set for Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at the fairgrounds in Victorville.

A frightfully busy October in the High Desert will bring trunk-or-treats, haunted houses, harvest parties, car shows, a parade, monster trucks, Halloween carnivals and plenty of candy.

One of the biggest events is expected to be the horror-themed “Scare Faire Psychotic Carnival of Thrills” on Oct. 30 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville.

Presented by JayZoMon, the Scare Faire will include nearly a dozen celebrity guests such as Joe Bob Briggs, host of the TV series “The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs” on Shudder.

A popular film critic, writer, actor, and comic performer, Briggs also hosted the TNT series “MonsterVision,” which showcased classic and low-budget horror films.

Other celebrities include composer John Massari, best known for scoring the 1988 cult classic film “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” and composing the theme for “The Ray Bradbury Theater.”

Actress Missy Sahagun, whose film credits include this year’s vampire flick, “Appetite for Sin,” and the films, “Toothless” and “A Beautiful Place” is scheduled to appear.

Actress Lisa Elizabeth Wilcox, who will also attend, is best known for her role as teen heroine Alice Johnson in “A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child.”

The convention will feature musical acts, including the “AmErIcAn ZoMbIe-Rob Zombie Tribute Spookshow,” which will honor singer-songwriter and filmmaker, Rob Zombie, who many see as the innovator of “horror metal” via his solo career and work in the band White Zombie.

Over 50 vendors are expected at the convention, including Asylum Zone, with its oddities, curiosities, costumes and wigs, and Monster Babe Cosmetics, which will offer a horror cosmetics line that includes matte liquid lipsticks, liquid eyeliners and mink eyelashes.

Pinup Palmer and Grim Grinning Gabi, the hosts of the “Talky Horror Podcast Show" will be in attendance to talk about everything from scary movies to the horrors of everyday life.

The convention will also offer a haunted house; trick-or-treating for kids; costume and cosplay contests; comic dealers; toys; collectibles; and more.

The Scare Faire will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 30. Guests with a VIP pass will have access to all events and attractions until 9 p.m.

Visit www.jayzomonspopcultureexpo.com for more information.

Stu Miller’s Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch in Hesperia is one of many Halloween and fall-themed events scheduled in October in the High Desert.

Here are other Halloween-themed events planned in the High Desert:

Apple Valley

Car & Motorcycle show

Hosted by the Sun City Cruisers car club, the 10th annual Car & Motorcycle Show is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Mariposa Lodge, 19311 Jess Ranch Parkway in Apple Valley. The car show will include nearly 250 vehicles, a DJ, food, a beer garden, vendors, a drawing, raffle prizes and participation by local mayors. For more car show information, call 909-210-3154.

Fall Festival

The Lone Wolf Colony’s Fall Festival is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24. The event includes gem mining, a photo booth, vendors, a taco truck, funnel cakes and the Fries Galore trailer. The FNJK classic rock duo will perform Saturday. Lone Wolf is located at 23200 Bear Valley Road, Apple Valley. For more information, call 760-247-7878 or search Lone Wolf Colony Inc. on Facebook.

Trunk or treat

Whispering Winds of Apple Valley will host a family friendly trunk or treat for children from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27. Guests are welcome to showcase their business or hand out goodies. For more information, call or text 760-220-4760.

Trunk-or-treat at the Historic AV Inn

The Apple Valley Lions Club and the Historic Apple Valley Inn will host a Trunk-or-Treat from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 at the AV Inn, 20601 Highway 18. This fun, free and safe event for all ages will include candy while supplies last, games and prizes. Those 14 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call or text 760-887-2000.

Halloween festival

The Town’s End Gem & Mineral Halloween Festival is scheduled from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, and Saturday Oct. 30. The event offers a pumpkin patch for kids, bounce houses, balloon art, food, face painting and trick-or-treating with vendors. A full bar, horse/carriage rides and costume contest for all ages and pets will also be featured. Live music will come from Twenty Dollar Prophets, DJ Day Dream and DJ Manny in the Mix. For more information and tickets, call 760- 961-8696 or visit www.TownsEndStillhouse.com.

Trunk-or-Treat Festival

The town of Apple Valley’s Trunk-or-Treat Festival is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Civic Center Park. The night will include trunk-or-treating, games, bounce houses, a pie-eating contest and a costume contest. For information, call 760-247-7880 or visit www.Facebook.com/AVRecreation.

Harvest party

The Apple Valley Faith Center’s Harvest Party is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, at the church, 19923 Bear Valley Road, Apple Valley. Free food, a bounce house, games, candy and more will be offered. For more information, visit www.Facebook.com/AppleValleyFaithCenter.

Barstow/Yermo

Glow Run

The nonprofit Babies So Special will light up the night with a family friendly Glow Run 5K on Saturday at Robert A. Sessions Sports Park, 2800 Mayor Katy Parkway, Barstow. Registration begins at 3 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $45, with some packages including a T-shirt, dinner and other goodies. For more information, visit www.BabiesSoSpecial.org.

Fall festival and open house

Hosted by the San Bernardino County Probation Department in Barstow, the Fall Festival & Day Reporting Center Open House is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19. Games, food and resources will be offered. The center is located at 1300 E. Mountain View Street. For more information, call 760-256-4737.

'Hocus Pocus'

The city of Barstow will present Disney's “Hocus Pocus” at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at Robert A. Sessions Sports Park, 2800 Mayor Katy Parkway. For more information, call 760-256-5617.

'Nightmare on Ghost Town Road'

Calico Ghost Town Regional Park will present “Nightmare on Ghost Town Road,” a ghost haunt, on Oct. 22-24 and Oct. 29-31. The event includes scare and non-scare hours, live music, trick-or-treating, costume contests, carnival booths, games, pumpkin-carving, food, vendors and more. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for kids ages 4 to 11. Admission is free for children 3 and younger. The ghost town is located at 36600 Ghost Town Road, Yermo. For more information, call 760-254-1125 or visit www.Facebook.com/CalicoGhostTownOfficial.

Mardi Gras parade

Presented by the Kiwanis Club of Barstow Crossroads, the 88th annual Mardi Gras Parade is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. The superhero-themed parade will begin at Barstow Road and proceed east on Main Street to Mountain View Street. Traditionally, the parade has featured floats, marching bands, vehicles and animals. For more information, visit www.Facebook.com/KiwanisBarstowCrossroads.

Holiday craft fair

The Barstow Senior Center will host a holiday craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at the center located at 555 Melissa Avenue. The event will include vendors and crafts from local residents. For more information, call 760-256-5023.

Trunk & Treat party

Humble Car Club will host its 2nd annual Trunk & Treat party from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, in the Barstow Junior High School parking lot. This event is for children ages 17 and younger.

Veterans' trunk or treat

The Barstow Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a trunk or treat from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at the VFW Post 2143, 25190 Main Street.

'Nightmare Before Christmas'

The city of Barstow will present “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Friday, Oct. 29, at the Harvey House, 685 N. First Avenue. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the movie starting at 7 p.m. The event is free, with a maximum capacity of 75 people. For more information, call 760-256-5617.

Fall festival and carnival

Barstow Station Too will host a Fall Festival & Carnival from Oct. 28-30, with rides, food and attractions. A lowrider car show, truck-or-treating and pumpkin patch are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Both events are at 1594 E. Main Street.

Hesperia

Stu Millers pumpkin patch

Stu Miller’s Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch is open from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 to 10 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays until Sunday, Oct. 31. The venue offers plenty of pumpkins, bounce houses, slides, a train ride, food, games and face painting. For information, visit www.Facebook.com/SeasonalAdventuresHesperia.

Spooky Spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat & Dance Party

The Rockn Our Disabilities Foundation will host its Spooky Spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat & Dance Party from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Epicenter Recreation Center, 17508 Hercules Avenue, Hesperia. Designed for special-needs families, the event will include costumes, vendors, dancing, candy and other activities. For more information, visit www.Facebook.com/rocknourdisabilities.

Trunk or treat

High Desert Second Chances 2nd annual Trunk-or-Treat event is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at 16666 Smoke Tree Street in Hesperia. The event will include candy, food trucks, classic cars/trucks, vendor booths, a pumpkin patch, Star Wars characters, superheroes, giveaways, raffles, car/trunk contests and more. For more information, call 442-267-4444 or visit www.Facebook.com/HighDesertSecondChanceOrganization.

Hot Rod Halloween

The Hot Rod Halloween classic car show and trick-or-treat festival is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Civic Plaza Park, 15833 Smoke Tree Street, Hesperia. There will be food vendors, carnival games and live music by the High-D Boys. Car show entry fees go directly to the Hesperia Area Recreation District Foundation. For more information, visit www.HesperiaParks.com.

Victorville

Monster Truck Thunder

Monster Truck Thunder will host its “Last Big Monster Truck Party” of the year at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville. Besides monster trucks, local drivers will also showcase their Tuff Trucks, Razors, quads, buggies, quads and motorcycles. For information, visit www.MonsterTruckThunder.com or call/text 760-964-5195 or email carcrushin@aol.com.

Oktoberfest

The Old Town Victorville Street Fair’s Oktoberfest is scheduled from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, near Seventh and B streets. There will be vendors, food, art, shopping, music and beer.

Hallow-Boo Drive-Thru

The city of Victorville’s Hallow-Boo Drive-Thru trunk or treat is set from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, at 14323 Civic Drive. There will be candy and other giveaways. Visitors are encouraged to wear costumes and bring bags for candy. For more information, call 760-245-5551 or visit www.Facebook.com/CityOfVictorville.

Check with event organizers for possible COVID-19 health and safety protocols at the above events.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.