Isla Vista Halloween Pumpkin Patch brings spooky fun, creativity and community together
The sixth annual event transformed Anisq’Oyo’ Park into an immersive Halloween experience, featuring costumed performers, a costume contest and free pumpkins.
ISLA VISTA, Calif. – Halloween festivities brought an extra dose of spooky fun to Isla Vista as the community celebrated the sixth annual Halloween Pumpkin Patch at Anisq’Oyo’ Park.
Hosted by the Isla Vista Recreation & Park District, the two-night event transformed the park into an illuminated Halloween experience featuring elaborate costumes, live performers, interactive activities and a silent disco.
For local Santa Barbara artist Richard O’Steen, the celebration was an opportunity to show off his elaborate fashion creations.
“A lot of my people from the Solstice parade will be here in costume,” O’Steen said. “It's a chance to celebrate and enjoy life.”
O’Steen said the event also gave him a chance to bring some of his creations out of the closet.
“It gives me a chance to get this out of the closet and dress up, scare the children, offend the women. It's what I do,” he said.
One of Thursday night's highlights was the costume contest, where participants competed for a $750 grand prize.
The immersive experience also featured costumed character actors who helped bring this year's Halloween storyline to life.
Guests were invited to follow a mystery, solving clues about a legendary garden grove while encountering characters throughout the park.
One performer, playing the Oracle Spider, said the experience encouraged visitors to think about their future.
“So many of our youth, they want to know what is their future. Here, we decide today what is our future,” the performer said.
Other characters, including a roaming rat and the Pumpkin Queen, added to the interactive experience.
The Pumpkin Queen also had a special gift for the community: free pumpkins.
“I have given birth to all of these pumpkins. And so we are going to share them with the community tonight,” the performer said. “We're going to hope that with our gift that they will learn to love and appreciate this park.”
Beyond the pumpkin patch and interactive adventure, attendees could enjoy carnival games, a photo booth, a 3D blacklight experience and a silent disco.
Organizers say the annual tradition is about more than Halloween. It's an opportunity to create a welcoming space where UCSB students, families and longtime Isla Vista residents can come together and celebrate their community.
