Idyllwild’s traditional Pumpkin Carnival and Parade will begin at 4 p.m. at Fern Valley Corners and proceed down North Circle Drive. This year, the carnival will be located on Village Center Drive, in the same area where the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony occurs, according to Kari Arnson, again the event’s chairperson.
The Carnival will begin as the parade finishes. Carnival events will remain open until 7 p.m.
The village center location is very close to the Carnival’s former location between the Fort and Jo’An’s. The Idyllwild School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) produces the annual trick-or-treat gala. Those who wish to donate candy can leave it at Idyllwild School.
“We are holding our candy collecting contest at school for kindergarteners through fifth-graders from Oct. 10 to 21 so that we can get candy to the bank in time for merchants to see if they need to purchase additional candy,” Arnson said.
Although the classrom contest is over, people from the community may still donate candy to the school, the Town Crier or BBVA Compass through Oct. 28.
Idyllwild middle school students are conducting a baked goods contest, the results of which will become prizes in the annual Cake Walk event. The winning elementary and middle school classes will earn a special reward, Arnson promised. “This year, it will be a free and personal movie showing at the Rustic.” Arnson advises potential baked goods benefactors that submissions must be commercially prepared or store-bought.
The Cake Walk area will also be the site of this year’s costume contests. The tentative times and age groups are 0 to 9-years-old at 5:15 p.m., 10 years to 15-years-old at 5:45 p.m., and those older than 16 years at 6:15 p.m.
“There will be some new games this year,” Arson said, but didn’t reveal the surprises ... “And as always, we are looking for volunteers, particularly for Monday [Oct.31] to set up,” she added.
Several community groups have already volunteered to staff and run many of the carnival booths. Among those who are contributing to the 2011 fundraiser are the Hilltop Horsemen, Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit, Red Hot Mountain Mamas, Idyllwild School staff and Idyllwild Fire Protection District.
Volunteers are needed to help with the set-up and take down of the Carnival. Several local nonprofit groups have volunteered to operate the facilities so that parents can observe the parade. Individuals interested in helping may call Arnson at (951) 760-1558.
Proceeds from the Carnival will benefit the PTA and the school’s Booster Club.