20th Annual California Avenue Trick or Treating and Blossom Halloween Carnival in Palo Alto

What: Trick or Treating and Halloween Carnival

When: 10 AM - 2 PM, October 26, 2014

Where: California Avenue between El Camino and the California Avenue Cal Train Station

20th ANNUAL CALIFORNIA AVE HALLOWEEN EVENT TO BE BIGGEST YET

Blossom Birth Services to organize Halloween Carnival as part of festivities for third year running

Palo Alto, CA, October 16, 2014 – Halloween fun will come alive on California Avenue in Palo Alto on Sunday, October 26, 2014 from 10am‐2pm with this year’s Halloween Trick-or-Treat and Carnival. This 20-year Silicon Valley tradition provides a safe, kid-friendly, festive start to Halloween for children ages 0-12 years and will feature trick-or-treating at participating businesses on California Avenue (between El Camino and the Cal Ave Train Station), carnival games, music with Andy Z, a raffle and silent auction, arts and crafts, and lots of toddler-friendly activities. Admission is free.

“Blossom is thrilled to be organizing this event,” said Blossom’s Executive Director Mora Oommen. “We love kicking off Halloween with this safe, fun event and really enjoy seeing kids and families from the community. These kinds of events keep us connected to the babies and families we serve at Blossom, which is wonderful.”

California Avenue businesses and Farmers’ Market vendors will have special treats for families. “Children come in wearing creative costumes, eager to trick-o-treat at over 25 participating businesses on California Ave,” said Terry Shuchat, owner of Keeble & Shuchat Photography. Keeble & Shuchat participates annually in this community-building event and Shuchat enjoys welcoming children and their families to trick-o-treat at his store. “We gave out more than 500 pieces of candy last year and are gearing up for a huge turn out this year,” Shuchat said.

The morning will begin with a performance by The Dance Connection and live music by award winning children’s musician Andy Z. At 12:00pm, Palo Alto Mayor Nancy Shepherd will give a welcome address and kick off the costume parade and contest, which she will also help judge. Children ages 12 and under – and their families! – are invited to show off their costumes for prizes in several categories, including Best Family Costume and Best Homemade Costume. Other activities will include crafts, dance performances, a costume parade, silent auction and raffles, and Halloween photos by Rosalinda Luna Photography.

“It has always been a focus of the City of Palo Alto to ensure that our community comes together in positive ways and we’re happy to be a sponsor of the 20th Annual California Trick-or-Treat & Halloween Carnival which brings together California Avenue Merchants, a year-round farmers’ market and families to celebrate a Halloween Event that is safe, fun and geared towards young children,” Mayor Nancy Shepherd said. “I am looking forward to meeting and welcoming kids and families, sharing my own fond memories of Palo Alto Halloween celebrations and enjoying the games and event that one of our local non-profits, Blossom Birth, has organized,” she continued.

In an effort to save money, time and landfill space by swapping costumes, Blossom is also offering a costume swap throughout the month of October. Families are encouraged to bring in gently used children’s costumes to Blossom’s Beanstalk Resale Store located at 299 S. California Ave. between 10am-2pm Sunday through Friday.

This event is organized by Blossom Birth Services, a nonprofit resource center for new and expectant parents on California Ave and event sponsors include The City of Palo Alto, The California Ave Business Association, Palo Alto Community Child Care, and Sports Basement. All proceeds raised from the event support Blossom Birth Services, a nonprofit resource center for expectant and new families. For more information on the event, please see attached flyer or visit: http://blossombirth.org/Special_Events/halloween.html.