Halloween Events Can Be Scary or Just for Fun

Boo! Did you know Halloween traditions were brought to these shores by the Scots and Irish? Or that the pumpkin usurped the turnip as the choice for carved jack-o’-lanterns? What’s it all mean? Not much, except to offer a bit of seasonal trivia to introduce a list of Ventura County Halloween activities.

HAUNTED HOUSES

* Simi Valley Haunted Factory, a 10,000-square-foot maze highlighting “some of the most terrifying moments in film history.” Also: pumpkin patch, haunted hayrides and a 20-foot roaring dinosaur. Open nightly, corner of Los Angeles Avenue and Madera Road, through Saturday; open until 10 p.m. today, 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. $8. (805) 522-5501.

* The Haunted Center VI: Aliens Among Us, a series of themed fright chambers based on B-movie horror flicks. Arts Council Center, 482 Greenmeadow Ave., Thousand Oaks. Friday-Saturday at 6, 7:30, 9 and 10:30 p.m. $8. (805) 381-2747.

* Barbara Webster School, 1150 Saticoy St., Santa Paula. Assorted ghouls will try to scare the wits out of you to raise money for student field trips. Friday, 6-9 p.m. Also: games, prizes and treats. 50 cents admission. (805) 933-5359.

* Ojai Shakespeare Company Haunted House at the city’s old museum site, 109 Montgomery St. (next to the art center). Shakespearean characters will lead visitors through “a maze of errors,” today and Friday, 6-10 p.m. $4. (805) 646-9455.

* Center for Positive Living Halloween event, 2646 Palma Drive, Building #250, Ventura. Includes a “friendly haunted house,” cabaret, costume contest, games and more; 6:30-9:30 Friday. $5, $2.50 students, free 12 and under. (805) 650-8711.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Phantoms and Folklore (Olivas Adobe, 3750 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura, 658-4726). Richard Senate hosts El Dia de los Muertos--Day of the Dead--outdoor walking tour. 7-9 p.m. Saturday; warm dress recommended. $5.

Ghost and Ghouls Tour (Olivas Adobe, 3750 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura, 658-4726). 7 p.m. Sunday: Richard Senate spins spooky folklore about old Ventura. Held outdoors; warm dress recommended. $5.

Harbor Village Halloween (Ventura Harbor Village, Spinnaker Drive, 644-0169). 6-9 p.m. Friday: Trick-or-treating, costume contests, pumpkin carving and the Ventura Boys & Girls Club Haunted House. $3, $2 club members.

Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch (14292 W. Telegraph Road, Santa Paula, 525-9293). 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily, through today. The annual event features hayrides, crafts, farm demonstrations and more.