eLivermore.com - By Bill Nale

Halloween / Fall Activities 2018
for Livermore, Pleasanton, and the Tri-Valley

Special Events

Pirates of Emerson Haunted Themed Park
 October 5 to 31, 2018 (See Schedule below)

Pirates of Emerson - Haunted Themed Park

The award winning Pirates Of Emerson are bringing chills, thrills a cut throat terror to the Bay Area for the 23rd year. Consuming over 4 acres including 6 haunted Attractions:
Beneath the Darkness, Trick or Treat, Pirates of Emerson, Farmageddon, The Dark Gauntlet, Terror-tories

In addition to the Haunted Attractions, tickets include: Live Music, Mazes, Misfortune Tell, Frightmares Sideshow, Nightly Entertainment, and more.

Not recommended for children under 13.
Doing our best to make Pleasanton UN-Pleasant!

Location:  Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton
Times:  See below
Admission:
General Admission - $35.00 at the door, $30 online.  Six acres of scares, mazes, games, nightly entertainment and, of course, award winning Haunted Houses!

Group Admission - $26   Groups of 20 or more
Speed Pass - $10 per ticket
Twice Thru - $10 per ticket

Landlubber:  $10  (does NOT get you into any attaractions).

More info: Pirates of Emerson website - 925-426-7600 - Alameda County Fairgrounds,

back to top

Witches Night Out and Martini Tasting
October 3, 2018 - 6pm to 9pm
Wednesday

Witches Night Out and Martini Tasting
Gather your Witchiest of Friends for a night of Strolling, Sipping, Tasting and Shopping Downtown!

Witches Night Out Tickets have Sold Out!
If you've missed out on purchasing your ticket... never fear... you can still join the party! Our many restaurants, bars and shopping locations are ready to serve you AND you can still participate in the Hocus Pocus Flash Mob and Hat Contest!

Our shops will host the best of our Downtown bartenders showcasing their martini creations and special cocktail brews! Witches Hat and Cackle Contest offers opportunity to win fabulous gift certificates and prizes!

And, you won't want to miss out on the shopping deals available at participating Downtown businesses.

HOCUS POCUS FLASH MOB...
Again this year, we'll be having our "Hocus Pocus" Flash Mob! YES!!! You get to be in a Flash Mob!! Liz Roberts of Livermore School of Dance has choreographed a dance for us to "I Put A Spell on You" and it is fun, easy and good for all ages!!!

Watch Liz's Training Video to get ready and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!
Click for Flash Mob Training Video
Flash Mob starts at 7pm at Flag Pole Plaza.

HAT CONTEST...
Time to get creative! To enter, Hats must be 70% Hand decorated. We are looking to celebrate uniqueness and creativity! Good luck!!!

I HAVE MY TICKET - WHAT'S NEXT?!
The night of the event, bring printed tickets to Flagpole Plaza, corner of First Street and Livermore Avenue, along with a valid ID to pick up your Tasting Pass and 2018 Martini Glass. NO ID... NO SERVICE .... Regardless of your age and how old you look. We require ID for ALL participants.

- Free parking structure on Railroad Ave. between Livermore Ave. and Maple Street
- Rain or shine event
- Must have valid ID to participate
- This is an indoor tasting event. No dogs please.

Livermore Downtown Inc. and the Livermore Police Dept. Thank You in advance for not drinking and driving. Please pre-plan your sober driver home.
Sponsor: Livermore Downtown Association
Location:  Downtown Livermore
Times:  6pm to 9pm
Admission: Martini Tasting @ Culinary Treats is $40.  Culinary Treats only:  $20.
More info: Livermore Downtown Association (925) 373-1795

back to top

Kidz Town Halloween Hay Day
October 27, 2018
Saturday

Livermore Kidz Town Halloween Hay Day
Join us for the Kidz Town Halloween Hay Day – Livermore's favorite, family tradition!
The Downtown hosts Halloween fun activities for families with children in the 5th grade and younger! Kids will enjoy the costume contest, Halloween themed activities, downtown business trick-or-treat and more!
Sponsor: Livermore Downtown Association (925) 373-1795
Location: Downtown Livermore.
Times:  11:00am to 4:00pm
Admission:
More info: Livermore Downtown Association

See Photos from: 2002 - 2003 - 2016 Photos

back to top

Places to Visit

Alden Lane Fall Festival
October 13-14, 2018
Sat & Sun

Alden Lane Fall Festival  (Some info below is from last year)
Come and enjoy these activities each weekend:

• Visit our Farm Animals-here for the month of October only!
• Apple Fishing -fun for kids and adults!
• Farm Fresh Apples and Apple Tasting from Dave Hale's Apple Farm in Sebastopol
• Antique Farm Equipment with the Van Arkle/Hole Families.
• Candy Cart- Your Old Fashioned Favorites!
• Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins- Pink, Blue, White and of course, Orange!
• Hay Maze
• Fresh Apple & Pumpkin Pie For Sale by the Slice or Whole Pies from Sweet & Savory Bakery & Café.
• Craft Activity with the Scouts- a different activity each weekend for kids!

Sponsor: Alden Lane Nursery
Location:  981 Alden Lane, Livermore
Times:  11am to 4pm
Admission: Free
More info: Alden Lane Nursery

See additional eLivermore.com photos:  Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

back to top

Joan's Farm & Pumpkin Patch
October 1 to 31, 2018
Daily

Joan's Farm & Pumpkin Patch is an "Unforgettable Family Exerience". The Pumpkin Patch was established in 1990 amid a grove of centuries-old Sycamore trees and is located four miles south of downtown Livermore by Mocho Creek. This unique "Oasis" on Mines Road is also a true working Cattle Ranch raising Angus and Hereford Cattle. The ranch comes to life in October when the entire emphasis is on the Pumpkin Patch. Guests are invited to enjoy and feed the animals, find their way through the maze, pan for gem stones, play in the play area, walk around the old western town and envision living 100 years ago. Don't forget to visit Fort Maze, tour the antique farm equipment museum, eat until your heart's content at Joan's Cafe, or select your "sweet treat" at the Sweet and Treat building. Of course there are a variety of many pumpkins to choose from as well as different types of winter squash, Indian Corn, gourds, and more.

This is an experience you won't want to miss. We are open daily from 9 am - 6 pm, October 1 - 31. There is no parking or entry fee. A minimal fee is charged for the various activities and, of course, for the pumpkins, etc. Cash or check only - no credit cards - ATM available. No dogs or alcohol are allowed.

Maze, Old West Town, Hay Ride, Farm Animals, Gem Panning, Antique Museum, Pumpkins, Gourds, Indian Corn, Corn Stalks, Straw Bales, Nuts, Refreshments, Gift Shop, and more.
Location:  4351 Mines Rd in Livermore
Times:  9am to 6pm  Activity Hours:  Weekdays 1:00pm to 5:45pm;  Weekends: 9:30am to 5:45pm
Admission: Entry and parking: Free.  Activities:  $5.00 each or $25 for wrist band for unlimited activities.  Wrist bands do not include Pony Rides or Face Painting.
     Activities include: Maze, Large Slide, 40 Ft. Obstacle Course, Gem Panning, Blue Kids Train, Hay Ride
    Group tours are available for a fee.
More info:  Joan's Farm & Pumpkin Patch

back to top

G&M Farms
Fall Pumpkin Patch
2018 Dates Oct 1-31 (every day)

It’s the G & M Farms Cornfield Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Livermore, the farm that is so fun it has been featured TWICE on the David Letterman Show! Bring the whole family – there’s harvest fun for all ages at G&M Farms, and it’s easy to find, right off I-580 at Airway Drive in Livermore.

Find your way through the maze, then enjoy G&M Farms’ huge Pumpkin Patch with pumpkins of all sizes – the kids can pick their own! For Mom, there’s fresh produce, decorative gourds and Indian corn. Your little ones will love G&M’s farm animals and the free straw bale maze, pony rides on the weekends, and don’t forget to ride G & M Farms’ famous Cow Train!

G & M Farms Cornfield Maze and Pumpkin Patch was voted “Best Seasonal Attraction” in the East Bay by Diablo Magazine, and when you see it, you’ll believe it!

2006 maze is shown.
Location:  487 East Airway, Livermore
Times:
    Pumpkin Patch:
          Weekdays:  2pm-6pm (morning reserved for field trips)
          Weekends:  10am-6pm
    Corn Maze:
          Mon-Thurs:  4pm-8pm
          Friday: 4-9pm
          Saturday: 10am-9pm
          Sunday:  10am-8pm
Admission:
    Corn Maze:
       Monday-Thursday
          Adults: $8    6-11: $7
       Friday, Saturday, Sunday
          Adults: $10    6-11: $9
      5 and under are free.
      Coupon is available on their website.
   Pumpkin Patch:  free admission
More info: G&M Farms

Reformation Day
October 31

October 31 is Reformation Day!!
On Saturday, October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany.  This set in motion the Protestant Reformation, although Luther's intention was to reform the church.  It may have never happened if it were not for an unrelated invention at about the same time:  Guttenberg's Printing Press brought Luther's writings to a much wider audience.  The date is significant, as it was on the eve of the All Saints Festival.

Reformation Sunday is always the last Sunday of October.

For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. (Romans 3:28)

Luther the Movie is available on VHS and DVD.  This 2003 production chronicles the life of Martin Luther.

All Saint's Day
November 1

Celebration of all Saints.  Started in 835 by the Roman Catholic Church.  Also known as "All Hallows Day".  Thus the origin of "All Hallows Eve"
All Saint's Sunday is the first Sunday in November, although this varies by denomination.  Some denominations will celebrate it on Oct 30 or 31 if they fall on a Sunday.