Scaring Up Some Fun

Witches, ghosts and goblins in abundance will haunt the Westside this weekend. From Santa Monica to Hollywood, dozens of Halloween events are in the works.

To start things off, the West Los Angeles Public Library will present storytelling and a costume parade today at 3:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded.

More than 1,000 children and parents are expected to visit the Santa Monica Boy’s and Girl’s Club annual haunted house. Ghosts and goblins will lurk among three haunted decks tonight through Saturday.

In West Hollywood, the city’s annual haunted house will be open Friday through Sunday starting at 7 p.m. The city also will sponsor a carnival for children Sunday at 6 p.m. For adults there will be a “Halloween Carnaval” later in the evening with musical entertainment and food booths from more than 20 local restaurants. Festivities will be held along Santa Monica Boulevard from Robertson to La Cienega boulevards.

Santa Monica College will present the puppet show “Monster Mash,” with performances at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $6 adults and $5 children.

For a change of pace from all the American-style Halloween observances, St. Ambrose Catholic Church in West Hollywood will have an Irish Halloween party. There will be dancing to the music of the Des Regan Ceili Band and a pumpkin painting contest for children Saturday at 8 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults; free for children younger than 12.

At Santa Monica Place, children can trick-or-treat throughout the mall starting at 4 p.m. Sunday.

In Beverly Hills, the annual Spooktacular Halloween Carnival at La Cienega Park will feature a performance by Bobbo and Kookee’s, a costume parade, games and rides. Activities start at 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2.

Here is a selected rundown of Halloween-themed events on the Westside:

* Storytime--West Los Angeles Regional Branch Library, 11360 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; 3:30 p.m. Thursday; (310) 575-8323 (free).

* Haunted House--Santa Monica Boy’s and Girl’s Club will present a “Terror Cruise”; 1238 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica; 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; (310) 545-8692 ($2).

* Haunted House--City of West Hollywood; Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd.; 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday; (213) 876-1725. ($1, $2 on Sunday).

* Festival--Mar Vista Elementary School PTA will have food booths, entertainment and carnival rides; 3330 Granville Ave., Los Angeles; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; (310) 398-0061 (free).

* ‘Halloween for Hope’--Masquerade party to benefit children’s programs at City of Hope National Medical Center; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, 1700 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica; 8 p.m. Saturday; (213) 626-4611, Ext. 6220 ($60, $75 at the door).

* Square Dance--Red Ribbon Squares; Marine Park Recreation Center, 16th and Marine streets, Santa Monica; 7:15 p.m. Saturday; (310) 823-1180 ($3.50).

* Festival--Hancock Park School will have a silent auction, game booths and rummage sale; 408 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday; (213) 937-0940 (free).

* Irish Halloween Party--The Des Regan Ceili Band will perform; St. Ambrose Church, 1261 N. Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood; 8 p.m. Saturday; (818) 503-4677 ($7 adults, free for children younger than 12).

* ‘Boo: Ghost Stories’--Performed by the Pacific Resident Theatre Ensemble; 8780 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles; through Nov. 21; 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday; (213) 660-8587 ($15, $8.50 senior citizens and students).

* ‘Monster Mash’--Puppet show with ghosts and goblins; Concert Hall, Santa Monica College, 1900 Pico Blvd.; noon and 2 p.m. Saturday; (310) 452-9396 ($6 adults, $5 children).

* Halloween Tales--Jennifer and Jon will tell spooky stories for children 3 to 8; Children’s Book World, 10580 1/2 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; 10:30 a.m. Saturday; (310) 559-2665 (free).

* Carnival--Featuring a haunted house, magic show and pony rides; Westwood Charter School, 2050 Selby Ave., Los Angeles; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; (310) 474-7788 (free).

* Festival--Marquez Elementary School, 16821 Marquez Ave., Pacific Palisades; 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday; (310) 454-4019 (free).

* Carnival--Culver City will offer face painting, a dunk booth and costume contest; Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday; (310) 202-5689 (free).

* ‘Spooktacular Carnival’--Presented by city of Beverly Hills; Ballfield, La Cienega Community Center, 8400 Gregory Way; 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday; (310) 550-4765 ($2).

* Carnival--Sponsored by the city of West Hollywood; Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega and Robertson boulevards, West Hollywood; 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday; (213) 234-4060 (free).

* Trick Or Treat--Santa Monica Place, 4th Street and Colorado Boulevard, Santa Monica; 4 p.m. Sunday; (310) 394-5451 (free).

* Spooky Tales--Junior Arts Center, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; 1 p.m. Sunday; information: (213) 485-4581 (free).

FOR PIX SLUGGED MASKS