Countdown to Menifee HallowFest: 20 days

We've been telling you about all the great additions to our Halloween festival, re-branded this year as Menifee 24/7 "Truck or Treat" HallowFest, presented by RE/MAX Diamond. Yet even with all the great new features for our Oct. 22 event at Wheatfield Park, the highlight remains our priority from Day One: the costume contest.

We will always invite the young people of Menifee to come dressed in their best Halloween costume, to parade before the crowd and be eligible for prizes. This year we are even more organized in streamlining our contest, which also includes adult and pet categories.

Information can be found on our new website, MenifeeHallowFest.com. Costume parades and judging will be spread out throughout the afternoon, every hour on the hour from 2-6 p.m. Registration will not be necessary. Those wishing to participate in a particular age group must simply check the schedule and show up at the stage at their specific time. There will be a brief parade across the stage and immediate announcement of the winners, giving everyone time to enjoy the rest of the festival between the costume contests.

Each child participating in one of the age group contests will receive a free trick or treat basket, compliments of RE/MAX Diamond and Menifee Property Management.

So get those costumes ready and mark your calendar for Oct. 22! The event hours have been expanded this year, from 1-9 p.m.