Local groups host Halloween, fall harvest events

‘Tis the season for candy, costumes, and fun.

Several Halloween, Harvest and fall events are happening in the Clovis/Portales area this week to celebrate the holidays.

Pre-schoolers dressed in their costumes Thursday morning for story time at Clovis-Carver Library. Crissie Carter, a library staff member, read the children stories with Halloween and fall themes.

Thursday night, Portales residents took their children to the Harry Potter party at the Portales Public Library. The event included a wand-making table, a snack table and Harry Potter trivia games with prizes.

Olivia Ulibarri, the young adult librarian, said the library staff members are all Harry Potter fans and with the next Harry Potter film coming out in November, they decided to use Halloween as an opportunity for Harry Potter festivities.

“It’s a big turn out,” said Ulibarri. “I didn’t expect this many people. I’m very excited.”

Another extreme Harry Potter fan attending the library event was 6-year-old Conner Rooney, a Portales resident dressed as Harry Potter. After making his wand, Rooney ran around the room, casting spells on his mother and brother.

“He dresses up as Harry Potter when it’s not Halloween,” said Rooney’s mother, Julie Rooney, laughing.

Bella Vista Arts Academy held a “Trunk or Treat” event for their students Friday morning in the parking lot of the elementary school. Parents of the students gave out candy from their car trunks.

According to Bella Vista Principal Shelly Norris, this was the first year for the school to have the event. Norris said “Trunk or Treat” and the fall ball which followed Friday afternoon are both hosted by the parents of students.

Norris said both events are used as a reward system for students who have shown exemplary behavior in school.

“The kids have been amazing (today),” said Norris. “They are so excited.”

Several other holiday events are coming this weekend for Saturday and Sunday. One event is Mark’s House of Nightmares, which can be found on Curry Road L off the Portales highway.

The haunted house, run by Mark Karges, will be raising money for some of Matt 25 Center’s family programs. The house opened Friday night and runs through Sunday from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Admission to the haunted house is $2 for adults and $1 for children 11 years old and younger.

Also being held in Clovis today is the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Halloween festival, “Big Day of Play,” at Hillcrest Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s free.

For more holiday events this weekend, check out the “Holiday Happenings” calendar in the Clovis News Journal and Portales News-Tribune; regular door-to-door trick or treating will take place Sunday night in Clovis and Portales.