Many Halloween events this weekend will scare up business on the South Coast

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - There will be a long list of Halloween related events in downtown centers and shopping district this weekend, and merchants hope it will not only be festive but scare up some business.

Carpinteria has a "T" trick-or-treat Friday afternoon at businesses around Linden Ave. and Carpinteria Ave. followed by a costume contest at the Lynda Fairly Arts Center. A special Halloween-edition comedy show will take place Friday night at the Alcazar Theatre.

In downtown Santa Barbara, Saturday will be the business district trick-or-treat. The smallest customers will be making the biggest impact on the area when they come through in costumes to pick up candy and see all of the decorations. Over 100 businesses will be participating. They will have balloons up and bowls of candy ready.

At the Courthouse sunken gardens, the annual Thriller dance performance by the World Dance for Humanity takes place Saturday at 3 p.m. It's expected to attract hundreds on all sides of the show.

There's also been a merchants decoration contest throughout downtown to add to the festivities of the weekend. The winners were announced Friday afternoon. The first place winner was the Wildcat Lounge. Second place was Whiskey Richards and third place was the Red Piano.

Essentially many businesses and communities are getting about five days worth of entertainment, fun and special activities out of this year's Halloween which takes place Tuesday.

For more information about the Santa Barbara activities go to: Santa Barbara Downtown Organization