How to Beat the Crowds @ Orange County Great Park Halloween

It was a foggy Saturday morning. 

The Halloween celebration was supposed to start at 9:00 a.m., so we left the house at 8:30.  By the time we got in line, I would say there was a good 50 people in front of us.  We brought our canned food for Second Harvest so that the kids could do a little “extra” trick or treating.  D and I strategized about our plan of attack and we decided trick or treating first, pumpkin patch second.  D made a beeline to the trick or treating area, and he was running, pulling both kids in the wagon.

Totally not necessary.  But, out of the thousands of people that attended the event, guess who was the very first family to go through the trick of treating section?  Yep, that would be us.  I thought the trick or treating was not as good this year.  Last year the adults were given some treats too.  I understand the cutbacks, though, given the overwhelming popularity of the event. 

Next we headed to the pumpkin patch.  A line had formed by this time, but it moved fairly quickly.  They also set it up closer to the trick or treating section this year, so that was convenient. 

Next, we headed to Palm Court for the carnival-type games.  Everyone wins the small toy prizes, so the kids weren’t shy about participating.

For some reason, k was reluctant to try the cake walk, however.  Our whole family participated, so I was not sure why she did not want to.  When the music stopped, she ended up being on the same number as another boy.  Spot 16 was open, so we told her to go stand on it.  Guess which was one of the winning numbers?  16!

Her prize was three cookies, which we shared at home. 

We also watched a cooking demonstration by the self-proclaimed “Asian Martha Stewart”.  Sadly, no samples of the food were given out.  In fact, she kind of mocked us for wanting samples.  Kind of disappointing.

n was complaining he was hungry, so we bought two bags of $1 popcorn.