Hometown haunts

Think you have the best Halloween costume and want to show it off? Or maybe you need a little help with yours. Or perhaps you just want to check out a really scary haunted house and go dancing Friday.

Somehow or another you’re covered this Halloween, as the area presents lots of spooky activities to celebrate the holiday.

Here’s a list of fun stuff to do:

At Roger’s Gardens you can get a head start today with the eight annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest.

Jennifer Buckanavage, events coordinator at the Gardens, said children 12 and younger are invited to share their Halloween spirit and artistic skill.

“There will be three categories — carved, decorated and painted,” she said. “The pumpkins can be elaborate, simple, [illuminated], mechanical, scary or fun — anything goes.”

The pumpkins will be judged by a panel of Roger’s Gardens designers and staff. The person with the best pumpkin from each category will receive a gift certificate to the Gardens.

All entries must be presented by 4 p.m. today. The event will also offer candy and beverages.

Roger’s Gardens is at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar. Admission is free. Call (949) 640-5800 or visit www.rogers gardens.com for more information.

Larger than life

The Central Orange Coast YMCA annual Halloween Carnival is going bigger than ever this year.

In addition to the usual trick-or-treating, carnival games, bounce castle and magician, there will be major fun happening in the sports zone, said Maria Brunker, the Y’s associate executive director of community development.

“The OC Flyers will be here with their pitching machine, which should draw in lots of fans,” she said, referring to the Fullerton-based independent professional baseball team.

The zone will also feature basketball and soccer games, the “Anaheim Ducks Goal Patrol,” and a DJ and dancing.

There will be a haunted Scare Zone for those who dare to enter, as well as a Hallway of Fun for the littler ones.

The YMCA is also going big with prizes this year — the winner of the costume and trick-or-treat contests will win a year’s family membership to the center, valued at more than $900.

“We hope you will help us celebrate our community with this fun, safe and memorable event,” Brunker said.

The YMCA Halloween Carnival will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at 2300 University Drive, Newport Beach.

Admission is free.

Call (949) 722-3807 for more information.

MAIN STREET FUN

With kiddie rides, pumpkin carving, a Ferris Wheel, a petting zoo and a Halloween costume contest, the 16th annual Trick or Treat on Main Street in Huntington Beach promises to be spooktacular.

The event, sponsored by the Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement District, is open to children of all ages.

Steve Daniel, president of the Downtown Merchants Group and founder of the event, said it offers a variety of enjoyable activities from rides to restaurants.

“We draw in about 15,000 people, and it’s nothing but fun,” Daniel said.

There will also be a disc jockey to provide spooky music entertainment.

The Trick or Treat will be from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at 301 Main St., Huntington Beach.

Admission is free and parking prices vary. Call (714) 969-0795 or visit www.hbdowntown.com for information.

Need a new face?

The Rock and Roll Emporium presents Hollywood FX make-up artist Cat Elrod.

Customers will have the opportunity to explore costume ideas and have their Halloween face professionally applied.

Specialties include movie characters, sexy vampires and witches, Hollywood beauty, old-age, burns, cuts, bruises and gashes.

The makeovers will go from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at 205 Main St., Huntington Beach. Cost is $25 to $50, depending on the costume. Call (714) 960-4040 to make an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Costume Bash

Fitzgerald’s pub invites you to rock your best costume and rock out at its Halloween Costume Bash.

The pub will feature local band Jungle Juice to help celebrate the holiday.

The event will be from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday at 19171 Magnolia St., Huntington Beach. No cover charge. Call (714) 968-4523 for more information.