Santa Maria, look out—there’s going to be a monster of a ball coming up at the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum on Oct. 29.
The annual Batty Ball is an alternative to the usual practice of trick-or-treating, though kids can still dress up. This year’s event theme is “Under the Sea,” inspired by October being dubbed “Sharktober.”
Expect plenty of games and prizes. There will also be a children’s parade through the museum and a costume contest with awards for funniest, scariest, most creative, and best under-the-sea themed costumes. There will also be pizza at the event, provided by Fatte’s Pizza in Santa Maria.
The event is open to the public, but reservations are required and should be made soon since the Discovery Museum is expecting about 150 to 200 attendees this year.
“We already have about 50 people that have reserved,” program coordinator Jonathan Calderwood said. “Space is limited, and we are asking that people pay in advance.”
The deadline for payment is Oct. 28, before to 7 p.m.
“Last year, I dressed up as a barista, and the year before that I dressed as Harry Potter,” Calderwood said.
This year, one member of the museum staff will be dressing up as a chum bucket from the hit series Spongebob Squarepants.
Tickets will cost members $8 for the first adult and child, and $5 for an extra guest; non-members pay $12 for the first adult and child, and $6 for an additional guest. But those who purchase or renew their membership will receive five admissions to the Batty Ball
for $100.
Intern Henry Houston compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 21-28, 2010.