Halloween Pumpkin Patch offers free fun in Isla Vista

ISLA VISTA, Calif. – People psyched themselves up to enter the unknown at the Halloween Pumpkin Patch in Isla Vista.

This is the I.V. Recreation and Park District fourth year hosting the free event for UCSB students and local families with young children.

IVRPD staff dressed up to welcome visitors.

Recreation Coordinator Oscar Ramirez said, "we want to keep the I.V. people and kids entertained."

"This is an example of a third space that is free in a community," said Recreation Leader, Erin Longerbone.

Environment Makers transformed Anisq'Oyo Park into a festival leading to the Pumpkin Patch where they could meet the Pumpkin Queen and King if they could get by a scary doorman.

Visitors also had a chance to follow a map that took them to a Past Life Photo Booth, Chuck Bunger and his carnival games.

They also had a chance to see Hay Y'all Theatre, a silent disco, Memory Lane, Witchcraft Walk-about Woods, and Oracle's Underworld.

Some of the names are a play on controversial donors.

"I like how they put a lot of work into it with like they added workshops story line and a quest to do and it is pretty good way to distract us from midterms," said UCSB student Carolina Cabral

The scariest area is where Louie D'Ville played by Andres Filomia sits on his thrown and contemplates the take-over of the park and charging a fee, but the event remains free.

After visiting all the areas groups have a chance to pick a pumpkin to take home.

For more information, visit Isla Vista Rec & Park District on Instagram and Facebook or visit https://www.ivparks.org