Get ready for three days of harvest festival and Halloween fun on today, Friday, and Saturday.

Churches, school groups, and civic organizations are all planning events aimed primarily at kids but there are some family-style gatherings as well. All of the events are open to the general public as you do not have to be a member of the church, the organization or school community.

Shasta School’s first annual harvest festival takes place tonight, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room.

There will be a costume contest for kids although adults are encouraged to come in costumes as well.

They are asking that no one wears scary costumes including fake blood, knives and guns. If you have a question on what may be appropriate, call the school office at 858-7400.

There will be games, food, and a scarecrow contest.

Children should bring a container to carry their “prizes” in.

Cornerstone Community Church in Manteca is hosting their third annual Superhero Mystery Night Harvest Festival on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at 17900 Comconex Road off East Highway 120 just east of Austin Road.

The cost is $1 and a bag of candy.

The event will consist of giant inflatables, carnival style games, prizes, tons of candy, and lots of Superheroes.

The Superheroes will sign autographs and pose for photos with visitors. This event is for children from 3 years old through the sixth grade. Families are welcome.

Manteca’s longest running Safe Halloween carnival takes Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in the gym.  

All children are welcome for fun and games and face painting. Games are geared for children 6 years and under.  Tickets are six for $1 for games.  Enjoy a hot dog meal (hot dog, chips and lemonade), pumpkin pie, and soft ice cream.  All proceeds will be distributed back into community through The Ray of Hope, Raymus House, and St. Paul’s Food Pantry. For more information contact the church office at 823-7154.

The Health Occupation classes at Lindbergh School will be conducting a Safe Halloween at Sequoia School on Saturday, Oct. 31.

The Safe Halloween will consist of free “trunk-or-treat” candies and, for a minimal cost, a haunted house, games, and food booths.

The event is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. at Sequoia School, 710 Martha St. The haunted house will take place in the multi-purpose building while the parking lot along Wawona Street will host the “trunk-or-treat” free candy, and the game and food booths.

For more information, call Behler at Lindbergh School, (209) 825-3100.

FRENCH CAMP — The French Camp School’s Harvest Festival is Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.

Along with food and games, gift cards, movie packages, purses, home decoration items, and beauty products, to name a few, will be part of the silent auction.

The school is located at 241 E. Fourth St.

All proceeds will benefit the French Camp student body.
The haunted house is one of the main attractions.

For more information, call (209) 938-6376.

LATHROP — The Lathrop Christian Center is presenting its “Trunk or Treat” and Fall Festival on Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the church located at 1919 Louise Ave.

There will be candy, games, goodies, raffle, and free hay ride.

You can get free raffle tickets if you bring canned goods for the canned food drive.

For more information go to www.lcchome.net or call 858-1317.

St. Anthony’s School will host its fourth annual Safe Halloween Night at the school, 323 N. Fremont Ave., in Manteca on Saturday.

The event is designed to keep children safe and off the streets on Halloween night. Haunted house, games, prizes and food will be featured in the school gym from 4 until 8 p.m. Admission is free. Ticket prices are 25 cents each, 20 tickets for $5 or 40 tickets for $10. For more information, call the school office at 823-4513.

The MRPS Halloween Festival and Dance takes place Saturday at the MRPS Hall, 133 N. Grant St. from 4 p.m. to midnight.

There is an adult costume contest at 10:30 p.m. and a kid’s costume contest at 8:30 p.m.

The family-orientated event includes a bounce house, games, prizes, food, pumpkin painting and cake walk.

The cost is $5 for adults that are 16 and older while those 15 and under are free.

For more information call Evelyn at 599-6650.

The First Baptist Church, North and Sherman, is staging a Bible Land Festival on Saturday for a night of relaxation and family fun. It is open to all children from toddler age to sixth grade. All activities will be moved inside if the weather is cold or wet.

There will be game booths including festival classics such as bowling, sack race, darts, maze, and cake walk plus carpet ball and ladder golf. Every child will go home with a treat bag full of goodies and candy won at each game booth.

Loaves and Fishes Cafe is serving dinner - hot dog, nachos, dessert, hot chocolate, apple cider, coffee and punch. The donation is $2 per person. There is no charge for admission and games.

The church is located at 715 E. North Street in Manteca. If you have any questions, call the church office at 823-1781.

Journey Church’s annual Trunk ‘N Treat is on Saturday starting at 6 p.m.

Children are invited to come through the parking lot at the church and receive goodies from the trunks of congregation members’ cars. They will have hot chocolate and coffee for the moms and dads. This is a free event.

The church is located at 444 Argonaut Street, Manteca. You can get more info by calling 823-7133 or visiting the church on the web at wwwmantecajourney.com.