HALLOWEEN TIME: The weekend before Halloween can be crowded with terrifying to-dos, especially when Oct. 31 falls on a weeknight, as it will this year. So what will the Saturday and/or Sunday beforehand deliver? Thrill the World LA -- dozens of "Thriller dancers going claws up -- hits Ripley's Believe It or Not in Hollywood on Saturday. A zombie walk moans through the streets of Long Beach on Saturday night. And hundreds of hounds in costume? Yeah, it's Haute Dog Parade time in Belmont Shore on Sunday. Please, and the Boo at the Zoo? Beasties gnawing pumpkins=100% pure Halloween joy. That happens both weekend days, rrrrawr.
SRIRACHA FESTIVAL: If you're a fan of the piquant paste in the rooster-bedecked bottle with the bright green top, we don't need to say anything else but "Sriracha Festival" and you're there. Plans changed, calendar updated, done. But you'll probably want to know the when and where: downtown on Sunday, Oct. 27. Several local chefs'll be applying their tastiest best to everyone's favorite condiment. We know, we're assuming there, but, please. This is Sriracha we're talking about.
DAY OF THE DEAD FESTIVAL: The annual LA Day of the Dead gathering at Hollywood Forever is still a week or so out -- date is Saturday, Nov. 2 -- but the Autry is ready to start its muerto-moving remembrances, traditional Oaxacan dances, altar-admiring strolls, and musical treats early. Oh, and if you want to go calaca, you can: There's going to be a make-up artist at the party. Saturday, Oct. 26
HEARSES ON PARADE: A few dozen hearses, casket cars, and other seasonal wheels are set to role at the Orange County Market Place in Costa Mesa. Attendees do dress the part -- there's a Dia de los Muertos element to the Sunday, Oct. 27 spooky celebration -- and kids are welcome to trick-or-treat. But plan on spending time among the elegant and slightly frightful fendered beauties on display.
RUNNING UP A MOUNTAIN: It's difficult to think of a modern running event that isn't colorful or memorable or catchy, in some way, but the majority of 5Ks and marathons have one thing in common: Elevation stays fairly consistent, and the ups and downs are not mountain-like. That's not the case with the annual run at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Participants will be running up a chunk of Mount San Jacinto, so, yeah, this is a sprint that's basically straight up. Saturday, Oct. 26
