Soboba Parks and Recreation Activities Director Jennifer Garcia introduced a Witch Hat contest and a pumpkin carving contest for the first time. “Each year, I try to think of something new for the community to do as a family,” she said.

With more than 900 attendees, there was a constant flow of fun at each booth that featured ring toss, cornhole, Plinko and other carnival-style games for all ages. Several booths offered free takeaways and all of them had plenty of candy.

The Soboba Foundation decorated with a “Hocus Pocus” theme to hand out full-sized candy bars, while the Cultural Resource Department had reusable drinking cups and collection bags with different Halloween designs for all the guests. Sylvan Learning added a raffle for a lucky winner to receive a drawstring backpack filled with school supplies.

Members of H.A.L.O. (Helping and Loving Others) had a unique game of frybread toss. The group’s founder, Linda Resvaloso, said her granddaughter came up with the idea because the organization is known for making food for community families in need.

There was a competition among all the booths with Soboba Tribal Preschool being voted the best for their all-out decorations based on the “Coco” animated movie that depicts a Day of the Dead theme. They earned $150 for their efforts.

Second place and $100 was awarded to the Meza family for their “Thick with It” game booth. Seila Meza said her sister Emalee designed everything and picked the name. Seila’s son Matthew Durnin assisted at the booth, along with Brenda Arrietta who helped players with the lighted Plinko game.

Third place was won by the Noli Beading Club whose “Alienz” booth glowed green to earn them a $50 prize. They also donated hand beaded items that were raffled off throughout the night.

Each child was able to choose a pumpkin at the temporary pumpkin patch filled with orange autumnal orbs from the family-owned Wickerd Farm in Menifee to take home and enjoy. For those that got their pumpkins early, a carving contest resulted in two top winners. First place was awarded to Renae Garcia, who received a cash prize as well as a beaded medallion donated by the Meza family. The second-place carving, which also received a cash prize, was awarded to Jake Briones on behalf of his daughter.

Decorated witch hats were judged in different age groups and categories. Christian Aceves, Environmental Director for the Soboba Tribal Environmental Department, took home first place for most creative with his gigantic, oversized hat. “My team made this for me,” he said. “I have the triple threat of (Environmental Specialists) Katelyn Thomas and Loren Estrada, and (Administrative Assistant) Christine Rodriguez.”

Screams could be heard coming from the huge, haunted tent that attracted mostly teens who were treated to a frighteningly good time as they made their way through the dark recesses. The venue was created and hosted by the Department of Public Safety with assistance from Soboba Youth Council members Irene Cervantes, Aniyah Brittian, Shania Guacheno, Allynn Silvas, Noyaaykit Silvas, Raya Salgado, Rhianna Salgado, Jesse Venegas, Samuel Venegas, Giselle Fonseca, Ryan Brittian, and Jimmy Brittian. The Soboba Youth Council also hosted a 50/50 raffle as a fundraiser to support their many projects.

The costume contest, with participants divided into age groups, paraded in a circle to upbeat spooky music played by DJ Mike Nevarez as they were judged by Soboba Tribal Environmental Department Director Christian Aceves, SCR Supervisor Brenda Munoz and Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Eli Chavez.

With the cutest, scariest and most creative chosen in five different age categories, the competition was fierce. Winning costumed contestants through age 7 received gift baskets full of lots of sweet treats while those from age 8 through adults got a gift basket plus a $50 gift certificate, donated by Soboba Tribal Council.

“I was excited and thankful to all the departments and families that participated in this year’s Halloween carnival,” Garcia said.

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