My newest neighbor is a gigantic skeleton with eyes that light up at night.
I think he is part of an invasion of skeletons this Halloween. I’ve seen them up to at least 12-feet in size.
My favorites are the ones climbing on balconies or peeking out from bushes, hanging from a tree or posed around light poles. Skeletons seem to be the biggest trend in Halloween décor this year, along with the giant blow-up goblins and ghosts.
During the day, the deflated blow-ups look to me like piles of dirty clothes, but the skeletons continue to look busy all day, climbing up railings and poking up nearly everywhere. I’m glad they don’t deflate, but the big ones, even somewhat folded up, take up a lot of storage space, especially if you have a whole family of skeletons.
It seems Halloween decorating and events start earlier each year. Some Brea churches held their Halloween Trunk or Treat festivities last weekend.
If your kids missed them, Brea Downtown is holding its annual Treats on the Street tonight, from 5 to 7 p.m. Many of the downtown businesses will be handing out treats. Then gather the family up for photos with the giant pumpkin, or pop into one of the downtown’s great restaurants for dinner. And you’ll still have time for the kids to trick or treat in your neighborhood.
But for some children, Halloween can be too scary, even for free candy. Fortunately, the city of Brea and the Brea Olinda Unified School District team up each year for a special “Best Buddies” Halloween event for students with special needs. It’s this morning at the Brea Civic and Cultural Center’s plaza.
Students, decked out in their Halloween costumes, are bussed to the civic center for a trunk-or-treat type event. In past years, the students walked through all three floors and departments to get their treats, but this year it will all be on the plaza.
And there will also be fire and emergency trucks parked out front, ready for photos with the kids.
“Every year,” said Mayor Christine Marick, “we hear from multiple parents that it is the only trick or treating that their kids do because it is comfortable and manageable for them, versus regular trick or treating at night that may be too overwhelming.”
Superintendent Brinda Leon noted that Brea Canyon High School had its trunk or treat event earlier.
Several years ago there was trick-or-treating each year at the Simon Brea Mall, and it was packed with children getting candy at the stores on Halloween. Maybe they will bring back the tradition when the mall’s massive renovations are completed.
What you can expect at the renovated mall are new shopping and dining spots to open around the first quarter of 2025. Some new stores are already opening in the mall, including Taranis, a cool kids’ shoe store, and soon we’ll see Vouspa, a classy candle store, Luxury Lab Watches & Jewelry and Slimeatory, with lots of colorful slime to bring out your creative compulsions. I know the kids will love it.
There are also several new dining and beverage spots coming to the mall, including Din Tai Fung, Pacific Catch, The Melt and Philz Coffee plus much more, and Pottery Barn will be moving to a larger space in the expanded mall. Lots to look forward to at the Brea Mall and all around Brea.
Terri Daxon is a freelance writer and the owner of Daxon Marketing Communications. She gives her perspective on Brea issues twice a month. Contact her at daxoncomm@gmail.com.
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