No Menifee 24/7 HallowFest this year; City event Oct. 28

The Meenifee 24/7 "Truck or Treat" HallowFest, presented by RE/MAX Diamond, drew a large crowd last year. Menifee 24/7 file photo

The Menifee 24/7 Halloween festival, which in four years grew from an intimate gathering to an event attracting more than 8,000, will not be held this year.

While the staff at Menifee 24/7 appreciates the tremendous support shown by the community, the event simply has outgrown us. Putting on such a huge event is a huge undertaking, and we don't want that to take away from our commitment to local news coverage. Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond, the host sponsor last year, concurred with the decision.

The City of Menifee Fall Festival will be held Oct. 28 from 3-9 p.m. at Audie Murphy Ranch Sports Park, as it was last year. Details on the program for that event have not been released. According to an announcement made two days ago, the City is accepting registration for vendors by calling 951-723-3880.

Robert Lennox, director of community services, said a flier with details about the event should be released before the end of the month. He said there are plans once again to include a beer garden, but that a decision on vendors and vendor management for that part of the festival has not been made.

"The City has not yet formally selected a beer garden vendor for this and other events in the year," Lennox told Menifee 24/7. "We are still reviewing the proposals and expect to make a recommendation to City Council in October via an MOU (memorandum of understanding). We are still planning on having beer gardens at the events approved by City Council."

Last year, the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce had an MOU with the City which included the right to run the beer garden at city events. According to Lennox, bids for vendor management for the Fall Festival this year were solicited through an official City Request for Proposal (RFP).

The Menifee 24/7 festival, an alcohol-free event, included a costume contest, games, food vendors and music. It was held at Wheatfield Park every year but 2015, when Menifee 24/7 partnered with the City of Menifee in the event at Audie Murphy Ranch Sports Park.

Nemelka, who sponsored the costume contest every year, will continue to do so for the City of Menifee Festival.

"We truly appreciated our partnership with Menifee 24/7 in bringing that amazing, kid-friendly, family event to the community we love," Nemelka said. "The event was more successful than I could have imagined, thanks mostly to the hard work and dedication of Doug and Kristen Spoon of Menifee 24/7. They are amazing people who really care about Menifee."

"RE/MAX Diamond has always participated in the City of Menifee events, and for the third year in a row, you will see us, and our giant gargoyle, at this year's Fall Festival. We are sponsoring the costume contest again, so come join us, and be sure to dress up!"