RIO VISTA - The 12thAnnual Pumpkin Patch Festival returns this weekend to the Western Railway Museum. It’s the only harvest festival in the area to combine rides on real trains with the search for the perfect pumpkin. 

New this year is a bounce house for kids, and on Saturdays, a petting zoo.

 In addition, visitors of all ages can take a tractor ride, play on the hay bale fort, grab a bite to eat, catapult a pumpkin at the “Pumpkin’ Chuckin’ Area,” play games, and listen to live music by local favorites the Limber Jim Bartz Band (October 10, 11, and 24,) and the Hipwaders (October 17, 18, and 25).

 The family-friendly event runs each Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., now through Oct. 25.

 Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (65 and up), and $9 for children (ages 2 -14).  Prices include admission to the museum, unlimited train rides, use of the museum’s spacious and shaded picnic grounds, and free parking.  Reservations are not accepted.  

 All proceeds benefit the Western Railway Museum (a nonprofit educational institution) and the Fairfield area Rotary clubs, which provide thousands of dollars to local community and youth activities each year.

 The Western Railway Museum is located on State Highway 12 in Solano County, 12 miles east of Interstate 80, and halfway between Fairfield and Rio Vista.  

 For more information, visit www.wrm.org or call (707) 374-2978.
 

MODETSO -  The Associated Students of Modesto Junior College will present the fifth annual Halloween Carnival and Haunted House on Friday, Oct. 30, from 4 to 8 p.m.m. on MJC’s West Campus, located at 2201 Blue Gum Avenue in Modesto.

 The admission to the carnival is free and the event is family-oriented and open to the public.  There will be movies, games, face painting, pumpkin decorating, food, juggling, trick-or-treating, a haunted house and a costume contest for all ages.  (Family appropriate costumes are requested.)

 While some activities are free, admission to the Haunted House and playing some of the games will require 1-3 tickets to participate.  Tickets will be sold for $1 each or 25 tickets for $20.  For additional information call (209) 575-7992 or e-mail cpalmer@student.yosemite.edu.

SACRAMEENTO - Sacramento Zoo presents Boo at the Zoo for two nights on Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4:30 to 8 p.m.  Come dressed up and join the ghoulish fun. Don’t miss out on a spooky good time as the Sacramento Zoo transforms into a kid-friendly place to be for Halloween. Trick-or-treat bags will be available for each child.

Kids can safely trick-or-treat around Lake Victoria at 17 candy stations as well as enjoy spooky entertainment, creepy creature shows, magic shows, fun crafts, haunted house and tons of ghoulish goodies. There will be pumpkin bowling, a wheel-of-treats and more games ‘n’ goodies. Hot chocolate and apple cider will be available for purchase as well. Ride the Zoo’s Creepy Carousel or the Spooky Train for $2 per person.  

This year, the Sacramento Zoo is working with the Grocery Outlet in Elk Grove to provide candy that is 100% palm oil-free or contains sustainable palm oil. Palm oil production in Southeast Asia is the main culprit for Orangutans’ habitat destruction, which has resulted in their rapid decline in the wild.

The Zoo is traffic-free and a natural place to have a safe and happy Halloween. Boo at the Zoo benefits the Sacramento Zoological Society. This event is recommended for children 10 and under. General admission is $9.00 per person; Sacramento Zoo Members admission is $5.00.  Children two and under are admitted free.  Tickets may be purchased at the Zoo, call 916-808-5888 for information, or tickets are available online www.saczoo.com.