Photos by Diane Drekmann Centennial School had a parade in downtown San Luis on Halloween. Families had fun at the Trunk or Treat at the Blanca-Fort Garland Community Center. Trunks representing Halloween and Day of the Dead lined the parking lot. San Luis had its Trunk or Treat and Halloween Festival on Oct. 29. Richard Olivia and Ernestine Valdez of Adelante SLV man the carnival booth at the San Luis Halloween Festival on Oct. 29. North Conejos Library District held pumpkin carving events at the Antonito, Capulin, and La Jara library branches. Ariel and Janae Gonzales dressed as Bat Girl pose for a photo during the Fright Night at the Fort Garland Museum on Oct. 28. The Wilson family, left to right, Samuel, Rayven, Uriah, Thomas, baby Varin, Ben and Sarah, dressed for Fright Night at Fort Garland Museum on Oct. 28.

SOUTH SAN LUIS VALLEY — The community came out in force this year for Halloween activities in San Luis, Fort Garland, Blanca, La Jara, Antonito, and Capulin.

Festivities began Friday night, Oct. 28, with Fright Night at the Fort Garland Musuem. People gathered in the dark barracks of the fort to hear ghostly tales from Jack Rudder, author of “The Ghosts of Fort Garland.”

Savannah Segura shared the ages-old legend of La Llorona — a ghostly woman who takes children who wander too close to the river after losing her children.

The Wilson family, and others were dressed for the occasion. There were also less scary activities with booths manned by Sierra Grande students with face painting, bake sale, sugar skulls for sale, cornhole and a bouncy house.

There was also a delicious chili dinner, again compliments of Sierra Grande teacher Javier Gonzalez.

The Fort Garland Museum will end the Halloween season with a Day of the Dead celebration Nov. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. People can honor their loved ones with traditional food and drink and music of a high school mariachi group from Questa.

North Conejos Library District held pumpkin carving events at the Antonito, Capulin, and La Jara library branches. Events like these bring families together doing creative things and introduce children to seasonal books and reading.

San Luis had its Trunk or Treat and Halloween Festival on Oct. 29. Local businesses Enlightened SLV and Boughtbytheblood Designs had booths as well as organizations like Soul Players of the Valley.

Adelante San Luis manned the carnival booth.

San Luis town manager, Susan Sanderford, and local police, fire and ambulance were on hand to help with activities.

Antonito, Blanca-Fort Garland, and La Jara also had Trunk or Treats. Families had fun at the Trunk or Treat at the Blanca-Fort Garland Community Center. Trunks representing Halloween and Day of the Dead lined the parking lot. People enjoyed a bouncy house, pinatas, and a scary maze. Amy Raney, dressed as Dorothy from Wizard of Oz, awarded prizes for some amazing costumes. Local police from Blanca and first responders from Costilla County showed their support.

Centennial School had a parade in downtown San Luis on Halloween.