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# A plentiful Halloween
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/a-plentiful-halloween/
- Published: 2002-11-01T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T00:50:17.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Community, Montana, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Daily Press staff*

Santa Monica was a city of pure weirdness and trickery Thursday night from one end to the other.

Any kid knows north of Montana is the neighborhood to go for not only the full-size Baby Ruth candy bars but also to admire the ghastly decorated homes. This year was no exception. Hundreds flocked to the upscale neighborhood in search of the ultimate trick or treat.

Neighbors have a friendly rivalry around the holidays, some spending thousands to decorate their manicured front lawns in hopes that they can out do the guy next door.

This year, fog machines, skulls, full-size skeletons, bags of candy dished out in a single serving and even a moonwalk were the highlights.

Just a few miles away, homeless people on the Third Street Promenade scraped up enough change to buy themselves masks for a night of Halloween panhandling.

Those that were feeling more charitable and civic hit the Barker Hanger at the airport on the eastside of town for the Santa Monica Police Activities League. The Halloween Carnival, which is the city’s biggest bash, is supported by a host of non-profit and community organizations. The Daily Press will make its endorsements on Santa Monica’s ballot measures and candidates in Monday’s paper.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/110102-01_01.jpg)

Cinderellas Emma Fresco and Ivy Bragin, both 4, skip away from a home north of Montana Avenue after getting a treat from Spiderman’s house on Halloween. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 1, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/110102.pdf?ref=smdp.com)