Manteca Pumpkin Fair events start today with the opening of the carnival at The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley near Fitness Evolution at Union Road and the 120 Bypass.
Hours today are 5 to 10 p.m.
The carnival is also open Friday, Oct. 6, from 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 7, from noon to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 8, from noon to 10 p.m.
More than 150 vendors have been lined up for the Pumpkin Fair this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days in downtown Manteca. Admission and entertainment are free.
New this year are craft booths along Maple Avenue that are all local non-profits selling handmade items.
There are free kids’ games such as pie eating and pumpkin seed spitting contest at Library Park where pumpkins can also be purchased.
Entertainment
The Main Stage bands playing beneath the tall shade trees of Wilson Park behind the Post Office on Saturday, Oct. 7, are Johnny & Dakota from 11 a.m. to noon; Sky Kings from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.; Random Strangers from 2 to 3:30 p.m.; and Jim Anderson and the Rebels from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
The Sunday, Oct. 8, Main Stage bands are Johnny & Dakota from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.; One Mile from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Threshold from 1:30 to 3 p.m., and Agent from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
The Community Stage line-up on Saturday, Oct. 7, consists of the Te Mana Nui Polynesian Dancers at 11 a.m., Manteca Youth Focus singers at noon, singer Christina Stamper at 12:30 p.m., Boys & Girls Club of Manteca karate demonstration at 1 p.m., singer Marissa Candelaria at 1:30 p.m., the band Moving Along from 2:30 to 3 p.m., the band Faded Secrets from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m., the band Better Late Than Never from 4 to 4:30 p.m., and the band Poetic License from 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.
The Community Stage line-up on Sunday, Oct. 8, consists of the Holly Rochelle Dance Company at 11 a.m., singer Dreama Diaz at 11:30 a.m., singer Jordan Renfro at noon, singer Charlize Price at 12:30 p.m., singer Ariana Canafara at 1 p.m., singer Dreama Diaz at 1:30 p.m., Valarie Ford’s Zumba class demo at 2 p.m., SonDance Christian Dance Studio at 2:45 p.m., the band Synthoplant at 3:30 p.m., and the band Esoteric at 4:15 p.m.
“Pumpkin Fair after Dark” is back again on Saturday. It features the presentation of the movie “Night of the Living Dead.” The 1968 movie classic will be shown at the Pumpkin Fair Beer Garden from 7 to 9 p.m.
Haunted house
The Manteca Sunrise Kiwanis Spunky’s Haunted House hours is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside of J&J Printing in the 100 block of West Yosemite Avenue.
The entrance fee is $3 and includes face painting.
As you stroll the varied booths that line Yosemite Avenue keep an eye out for the ghouls and vampires that will be roaming.
The best part of the Haunted House is the students working it are from area schools and youth groups. They also split the admission fees collected. Each group was invited to decorate a space and enjoy bringing a little fright to the guests of the Pumpkin Fair.
The car show is on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 100 and 200 blocks of East Yosemite Avenue.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com