Weekend Fun: Chili Cookoff, Zombie Bash, Harvest Festival Hoedown and More

CAKE

Get ready for an evening of 90s geek rock music and beats with Cake who cover a variety of musical genres including funk, hip-hop, country, new wave pop, jazz and college rock. Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at the Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz. Tickets are $46.50 advance; $50.70 day of show. For details, call 831-420-5260.

HARVEST FESTIVAL HOEDOWN

Live music by the Bean Creek Bluegrass Band will highlight a Harvest Festival Hoedown sponsored by the Aptos Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 26 at Cabrillo College, 2600 Soquel Ave., Soquel. The event will include an apple pie-baking contest, free pumpkins, guided heirloom apple-tasting and children’s face painting. Admission is free. For details, call 831-728-5060.

SANTA CRUZ CHILI COOK-OFF
Bring your appetite and join the fun at the Fourth Annual Santa Cruz Chili Cook-off from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St. Tasting kits are $9 and go on sale at 10 a.m.; public tasting starts at 1 p.m. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m. Admission is free. For details, call 831-423-5590.

HAUNTED THEATER HOUSE PREVIEW

Get a sneak preview tour of the Haunted Theater House at Louden Nelson Community Center from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, before it opens to the public on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 301 Center St., Santa Cruz. The tour is recommended for guests 10 and older. A goodwill donation is suggested. For details, call 831-420-6177.

GAULT SCHOOL PARADE

Gault Elementary School will kick off its 65th annual Halloween-Dia de Los Muertos Parade for children and their families at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at the corner of Soquel Avenue and Branciforte Drive. Costumed marchers will follow Soquel Avenue to the school at 1320 Seabright Avenue where there will be a carnival. For details, call 831-429-3856.

HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

Take a walk – if you dare -- through the “Nevergreen Cemetery” where a cauldron of gooey Halloween surprises awaits at the Halloween Festival set for noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at Louden Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz. The free event is open to children and families and will include a mask-making workshop, a phantom photo booth, haunted theater house and a costume parade. For details, call 831-420-6177.

UNITED NATIONS DAY FESTIVAL

Informational booths, food vendors, and live entertainment will highlight a UN Day 2013 Cooper Street Festival from noon t 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 along Pacific Street to Front Street and Abbott Square, Santa Cruz. The event is sponsored by The United Nations Association of Santa Cruz County to mark the 68th anniversary of the United Nations. Admission is free. For details, call 831-426-3101.

ZOMBIE BASH

Break out your creepiest zombie gear and come out for an evening of undead music, dance and fun at a Zombie Bash at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Cocoanut Grove, on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St. The event also includes an award for best zombie costumes. Tickets are $30 in advance; $35 at the door. Guests must be 21 or older. For details, call 831-423-2053.

CAMPBELL FARMERS MARKET

Stop on by for fresh produce from local growers and while you’re there check out offerings from local craft vendors from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27 outdoors along Campbell Avenue in downtown Campbell. Admission is free. For details, call 408-745-7100. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SANTA CRUZ COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET

Get exercise and fresh air while shopping outdoors for locally-grown veggies, fruits, baked goods and more from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 at Lincoln and Cedar streets in downtown Santa Cruz. Admission is free. 831-454-0566. 

EMMYLOU HARRIS & RODNEY CROWELL

Award-nominated vocalists Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell will take center stage with co-headliner Richard Thompson at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St. Tickets are $41.25-$75. For details, call 831-420-5260.

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