We’re being asked what day the City of Carlsbad plans to “designate” Halloween this year, as Oct. 31 falls on a Monday. The City of Carlsbad does not plan to reschedule Halloween – families who decide to trick or treat this year are still encouraged to do so on Monday, Oct. 31. Please celebrate safely and be respectful of any homeowners who don’t want to participate.
Communities go back and forth on the issue of moving celebration dates to other days of the week, and both sides have their advantages and disadvantages. Our decision over the past few years has been to not reschedule Halloween, Independence Day and other celebrations.
There will be a wide variety of family activities scheduled for the weekend leading up to Oct. 31, of course. Carlsbad MainStreet will have its downtown fall festival from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28. This extremely popular event usually includes a costume contest on the courthouse lawn and candy passed out by local businesses.
Additionally, the Arts Council and Chevron are sponsoring a “Batfest” a bat-themed event on Saturday, Oct. 29, from noon to 6 p.m. This event will feature music, food and a cave-sim. Last year’s bat fest was a major success.
Of course, many churches and other organizations also hold fall festivals and trunk-or-treats that week as well. We will do our best to put everything together so that the many events are all in one place.
One huge church-backed activity will be taking place a few weeks earlier, on Oct. 8. The 12th annual Fall-A-Palooza will feature obstacle courses, inflatables, a petting zoo, music, trivia and games at the beach bandshell area. The free event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the beach bandshell area. Eight local churches sponsor this huge event, which is back after a break from COVID-19. There will also be a 4v4 sand volleyball tournament scheduled this year as part of the event. Thank you to the local churches who organize the event: First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, Church of God of Prophecy, Sunset Church of Christ, St. Edward Catholic Church, Word of Life Church, Grace Episcopal Church and the Church Street Church of Nazarene.
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Congratulations to Southeast New Mexico College. The college announced that it has selected six finalists from 40 applicants for its president position. Finalists are Dr. Billy Adams, Dr. Kevin Beardmore, Dr. Kathy Cecil-Sanchez, Dr. Andrew Nwanne, Dr. Lorenzo Reyes Jr., and Dr. Larry Sanderson. The college will soon be sharing information about its finalists. A college president will be announced in late October.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway