ISLA VISTA, Calif.-Gone are the days when Halloween parties, dating back to the 1960s, were infamous in Isla Vista.
The last big one in 2013, two decades ago, attracted an estimated 40,000 people and led to a large number of arrests.
Back then, thousands of people from out-of-town would join students walking up and down Isla Vista streets in costumes.
Noise and parking ordinances were part of an effort to keep it local and quite.
Low cost concerts for UCSB Gauchos-only featured famous artists, including Snoop Dog, at the Thunderdome. It gave students a good alternative to partying.
Now there are other things to do.
Isla Vista Recreaton & Park District collaborated with the creative people behind the Lucidity Festival and Environment Makers to present a free Halloween Pumpkin Patch at Anisq’Oyo Park.
College students and young kids became immersed in a story that introduced them to characters who want to turn I.V. into a concrete jungle, including Louis D’Ville, played by Bo Filomia.
By collecting tokens, including guitar picks and feathers, they gained entrance to the pumpkin patch to meet the Pumpkin Queen, played by Vivian Storm,
She shared the importance of keeping the environment green.
Along the path, they had a chance to take photos, get their faces painted, play games and dance to their choice of music in a silent disco.
UCSB students texted their friends and encouraged them to check it out on Monday or Tuesday night.
Youngsters seem to enjoy it.
This is the third pumpkin patch that is part of larger effort to make IV safe, following a number of tragedies that took place in the community next to UCSB.
The most recent tragedy was a fatal cliff fall from a deck at an apartment during a Labor Day weekend party near Walter Capps Park.
Bathrooms are now in the area to prevent men from falling while relieving themselves.
Organizers hope their efforts will make this Halloween safe and fun rather than frightening.
This is the third Isla Vista Pumpkin Patch
It will be open again on Halloween from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Posters about the pumpkin patch include a QR code with a link to information.
For more information visit https://www.ivparks.org
By Tracy Lehr/KEYT
