Quote of the week

"Most people will tell you growing up means you stop believing in Halloween things – I'm telling you the reverse. You start to grow up when you understand that the stuff that scares you is part of the air you breathe."

― Peter Straub, novelist

Halloween Hoopla is Saturday!

Come in costume for a festive parade through downtown Menlo Park, where kids can trick-or-treat at local merchants' booths. And, new this year, bring your dog in disguise to join the fun as part of our "Howl-o-ween Walkers" section. After the parade, enjoy crafts, carnival games and entertainment by award-winning duo Lori and RJ. Admission is free. Join us on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Fremont Park at Santa Cruz Avenue and University Drive. Learn more.

Pumpkin Splash

Wear your swimsuit and join us for a floating pumpkin patch! Admission is $12 and includes a pumpkin, decorations for the pumpkin, a goody bag and additional time for swimming. Visit the website, call or visit Belle Haven Pool or Burgess Pool to reserve your spot today! Participate on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Pool, 100 Terminal Ave., or from 1:30–3:30 p.m. at Burgess Pool, 501 Laurel St. Learn more.

Trunk-or-Treat

Instead of going door-to-door, trick-or-treaters will go from car-to-car, with each vehicle's trunk decorated in a creative and festive Halloween theme. Admission is free. Join us on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 4:30–6 p.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Monstrously Good Horror Stories!

Menlo Park's Librarians have been busy brewing up a wickedly delicious batch of horror reads. Dig in if you dare.

• Chapter Books of Horror (kids)
• Teen Horror Novels (teens)
• Horror Manga (adults)
• Horror Novels to Keep You Up at Night (adults)

Last Week to Donate Costumes

We're holding a costume drive for students in kindergarten through eighth grade! Your costume donation can help make a child's Halloween unforgettable. All usable donations will go directly to Samaritan House for children in need of a costume. We will also accept brand-new costumes for donation to the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health. Learn more.

Drop off your costumes by Friday, Oct. 23, to:

• Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma St.
• Arrillaga Family Gymnasium, 600 Alma St.
• Menlo Park Police Department, 701 Laurel St.

Water Exercise at the Pools

Water exercise is one of the healthiest, most versatile whole-body workouts! Join our welcoming, supportive Aqua Fit classes and experience all the benefits of aerobic fitness and toning your muscles while you have fun in the water! Belle Haven Offers Hyperlocal rates and senior pricing. Monthly memberships are available. Belle Haven Pool classes run Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2–3 p.m. and Burgess Pool classes run Monday–Friday, 8–9 a.m. Visit menloswim.com to learn more.

Libby App Updates

Libby, by Overdrive, now requires PIN verification. This update was pushed out last week by the app developers for security reasons and has been slowly rolling out to users. To verify your app, you'll need to re-enter your library card number and the associated PIN. If you have any trouble with this process, please call or visit the Library for assistance. We're happy to help!

11th Annual Storytelling Festival

Everyone is invited to our 11th Annual Storytelling Festival! 

Join us for folktales from Sudan at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., Sunday, Oct. 18, from 11 – 11:45 a.m. Learn more.

OR drop in to our Halloween and spooky-story-themed storytelling night! Visitors can try their hand at sharing their own tales or enjoy them as listeners. Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Learn more.

Upcoming Facility Closures

The City of Menlo Park's Library and Community Services facilities will be closed Saturday, Oct. 24, while staff support Halloween Hoopla Parade and Carnival. Regularly held business hours will resume the following day. We hope to see you at Hoopla!

Open Space Odyssey

Discover the stories behind our region's trails and open spaces! Naturalists from the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) will share the history, flora, fauna and ongoing preservation of the hidden natural treasures found throughout the Silicon Valley's backyard. Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

More free programs and events

These free literary and cultural programs received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library.

• Middle Grade Book Group. Join us to discuss this month's book, Banned Books, Crop Tops, and Other Bad Influences, by Brigit Young! Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Saturday, Oct. 17, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Learn more.

• Tea and Tarot. Socialize and practice your skills reading the tarot. This isn't an instructional course. Meet like-minded people who can share their tarot experiences on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 3–4 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Teen Book Group (ages 12–17).  Join us to discuss this month's book: Americanized by Sara Saedi. Participate on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more. 

• Filipino Patterned Flower Drawing Workshop. Adults and Teens, join us to try your hand at drawing flowers in a special Filipino-influenced style! Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Thursday, Oct. 22, 3:30 -4:30 p.m. Learn more.

• Global Language Storytime. Join us for a special storytime full of fun and Japanese culture—conducted all in Japanese! Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Friday, Oct. 23, 11 – 11:30 a.m. Learn more.

• Sci-Fi Fantasy Book Group. Join our Science-Fiction and Fantasy Book Group online or in person to discuss V For Vendetta, by Alan Moore. Online via Zoom or in person at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., Monday, Oct. 26, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. Learn more. 

Check out more free community programs
The above was just a sample of the many free activities hosted by the City of Menlo Park this week. Check out the community events calendar to see them all!