Back in business: Auburn Recreation District plans concert, Halloween events for October

While the Auburn Area Recreation and Parks District has been operational throughout COVID-19 restrictions, it is now back to doing what it enjoys best – hosting events. ARD has planned a live concert at Overlook Park on Oct. 10 and a Halloween Bazaar at Recreation Park on Oct. 17. "In the business of recreation, we like to do things in person," said Mark Brunner, Recreation Services Director for ARD. "To be able to offer two things back to back – it's just rejuvenating. We hope to do even more as we move through the COVID tiers." The concert at Overlook Park is scheduled to feature Auburn-based country cover band Moonshine Crazy in a drive-in event. Brunner said ARD has never hosted a concert at the park before. "The event will be right when the sunset is coming down, and it will be a really cool ambiance since the park has such great scenic views," Brunner said. "We are really excited." The concert is a partnership with Maki Electric Heating and Air, which is sponsoring the event. "Thanks to the good folks at Maki Electric Heating and Air, they wanted to put on an affordable drive-in concert for the community," Brunner said. "They are really behind it." Maki Electric Heating and Air is connected to the featured band. Owner Debbie Dahl said the bassist is her electric manager. "I was born and raised here in Auburn, and I always felt like Auburn had great events at the places I grew up loving," Dahl said. "This has been a tough year and ARD hasn't had any of their events. We thought Overlook Park would be a great spot." The park can host 63 cars, Brunner said, with each car getting two parking spots so attendees can enjoy the concert outside of their vehicles and still be properly spaced per COVID-19 regulations. Tickets are $35 a car, $50 for premium parking near the band. The event is scheduled to open parking at 2:30 p.m., feature an opening act at 4:30, with Moonshine Crazy playing from 5:30-7. ARD isn't stopping with the concert event. It has planned a free Halloween Bazaar to replace its usual Harvest Festival, which takes place in October. "We want to give families the opportunity to get out and celebrate Halloween in a safe way," Brunner said. The Halloween Bazaar marries the traditions of the Harvest Festival with helping local businesses promote themselves. The event will feature up to 60-80 vendors, who will not be selling goods but will hand out candy along Recreation Park's half-mile trail. "We want businesses to come out and promote themselves because they haven't had that opportunity during this pandemic," Brunner said. The event will feature a Giant Pumpkin contest. Brunner said the competition may be fierce since the contest may include even more entries this year since so many events where large pumpkin contests are hosted have been cancelled. "It's a really fun competition," Brunner said. "A lot of the growers know each other. What is really cool is just for the kids to see what an 800-pound pumpkin looks like. It's a cool photo op for them." There will also be a scarecrow decorating contest. The entries will be placed along the half-mile trail, adding decorations and ambiance to the park. "Every little detail had to be COVID-proof," Brunner said. "We have been working with the California Department of Health on this for two months, and we finally got a point where it is safe enough to do it." Each vendor, who will provide candy along the candy trail, will be spaced at least 10 feet apart. Brunner said the vendor fee is a nominal $10 to keep the event accessible to all types of businesses. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free to the public. Brunner said children are allowed to go along the trail more than once if desired. "It's really exciting," Brunner said. "The one thing that is unique about ARD is the amount of community events we host May through October. In order to get this Halloween Bazaar up and running, it's been really special to us. It's starting to feel normal to see the momentum behind the event." Brunner said ARD is going to plan events through the winter, since the pandemic prevented hosting so many of its usual events. For more information on the concert or Halloween Bazaar, visit auburnrec.com.