by Sarah A. Peterson

Another long, hot Central Valley summer has finally come to a close, bringing with it cooler temperatures and a fall season ripe with activity. The Big Fresno Fair is in full swing, and haunted attractions are popping up all over the Valley like zombies from their graves, in anticipation of the year’s spookiest season.

The Fresno County Public Library also has a frightful array of spook-tacular events lined up for a monster-rific good time this Halloween. And at the helm is librarian Terrance McArthur, a true Halloween aficionado. “Halloween is one of my top-two favorite holidays,” says McArthur. “When I was younger, it was all about the candy, but now, it’s a celebration of life. Even though the weather turns colder, and the trees are bare, I know there’s a spring in my future.”

Terrance in one of his costumes from past Halloweens

But McArthur’s love of Halloween goes beyond the library. Every Halloween, for the last 25 years, he’s been the master of ceremonies and fashion commentator for the Sanger Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Trick-or-Treat. “On their way to the community-sponsored treat tables,” he says, “children cross the stage while I identify and describe their costumes, punctuated by some horrible monster jokes.”

So here is a handy calendar guide to Halloween at the Library. Be prepared to be scared!

Saturday, October 11: Third Annual Sanger Halloween Costume Swap at the Sanger Branch Library, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring a gently used costume and take home a new-to-you costume! If you drop a costume off in advance, you’ll receive a voucher good for one costume. Costumes for all ages and sizes available.

Sunday, October 19: Pumpkin Decoupage at the Fig Garden Branch Library, 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday, October 25: Halloween Blast at the Fowler Branch Library, all day.

Monday, October 27: Sanger Spooky Story Concert at the Sanger Branch Library, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Librarian Terrance McArthur tells spooky tales, from urban legends to more traditional chillers. Suitable for the whole family! Seating limited (First come, First scared).

Also watch out for some Halloween crafts at various branches on the Fresno County Library website.

Sarah A. Petersonis a library assistant with Fresno County Library, with a Bachelor’s in English and a Bachelor’s in Journalism from California State University, Fresno. In her free time, she makes soap and jewelry that she sells at Fresno-area craft fairs. She has written for The Clovis Roundup and the Central California Paranormal Investigators (CCPI) Newsletter.