ANNUAL HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL AT LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE SET FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19

Saddle up for a great time as Los Alamitos Race Course dresses up for its annual Halloween Carnival with a fun-filled night for the entire family on Saturday, October 19.

Staged on the track’s large grandstand area facing the finish line, the Halloween Carnival provides a safe, enclosed place for all to enjoy the spirit of the season. The night will feature more than 20 kid-friendly carnival games, the track’s popular costume contest, pony rides, and more.

The Halloween Carnival will begin at approximately 6 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. Admission is only $3 and kids 17 and under are admitted FREE. Los Alamitos also features free general parking. The Halloween Carnival is held in conjunction with the live horseracing program.

The Los Alamitos Halloween Costume Contest promises to be a big highlight with seven different age categories offering cash prizes throughout the night. The annual costume contest attracts hundreds of participants each year, making it one of the largest costume contests in Orange County.

Everyone that participates in the costume contest will receive a goody bag filled with candy. The age categories for the costume contest include the 2 and under division; 3 and 4-year-olds; 5 and 6-year-olds; 7 and 8-year-olds; 9-11-year-olds; 12-15-year-olds; and 16 and up. The cash prizes for each category include $200 for first, $150 for second, and $100 for third. It is sure to be a hit. The winners of each divisional category will qualify for the $500 grand prize.

In addition to a big variety of carnival games, other fun activities include pony rides, football toss, and a photography booth. Individual game tickets will be available on the night of the event for 50 cents each (some games may require more than one ticket). Proceeds from the Halloween Carnival will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Anaheim-Cypress.

"This is one of our favorite events to put together each year,” said Orlando Gutierrez, the track's marketing director. “Our goal is to see hundreds of smiling faces and wonderful costumes the entire night while also providing a safe environment for our guests and all at an affordable price. We are excited that the proceeds from the Halloween Carnival will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Anaheim-Cypress.”

The goal of this not-for-profit organization is to inspire and empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

The evening's festivities will feature live Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing starting at approximately 6:20 p.m. Los Alamitos Race Course conducts live horse racing every Saturday and Sunday night. The Cypress track also hosts two weeks of daytime Thoroughbred racing starting on Friday, December 8. Los Alamitos Race Course is located at 4961 Katella Avenue in Los Alamitos. For more information, please call 714-820-2800 or visit LosAlamitos.com.