Creepy doings have a long history in Orange County, it seems. Paul Arbiso, the bell ringer at Mission San Juan Capistrano for 42 years before his death in 1994, liked to tell the story of the Wandering Soldier.
In 1818 the mission was raided by pirates who landed at what is now Dana Point Harbor. Arbiso's tale has it that when the pirates hit the beach, the outnumbered Spanish soldiers at the mission fled . . . except one. He had been hunting that morning and was unaware of the pirates' arrival. He returned to the mission and was searching for his comrades when the pirates waylaid him and cut off his head with a cutlass.
It is believed that the headless soldier can be seen at the mission at night searching for his fellow troops, according to Jerry L. Miller, executive director of the mission. Arbiso even told people that the soldier had waved to him once.
A reenactment of the mission attack will take place at the Pirate Festival in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday. Other Halloween celebrations, for the young and the bold, are also well within your reach:
Anaheim
Four- to 6-year-olds learn about Halloween creepers and make edible treats at Oak Canyon Nature Center, 6700 E. Walnut Canyon Road. Today, 2 p.m. $3. (714) 998-8380.
Seven- to 12-year-olds have "Howl-O-Ween Fun" with crafts and more at the Oak Canyon Nature Center, 6700 E. Walnut Canyon Road. Today, 3:30 p.m. $4.50. (714) 998-8380.
A haunted house will be held at the Anaheim Indoor Marketplace, 1440 S. Anaheim Blvd. Friday through Tuesday, 4-9 p.m. $3. (714) 999-0888.
A Halloween party and costume contest will be held at the Shack, 1160 N. Kramer Blvd. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Features music by Exhibition of Sound, Dr. Package, Trip Hop Clan, Ordained Noetiks and Stellar. (714) 630-0121.
Monster Masquerade will be held at the Crossroads Center, Imperial Highway at East Santa Ana Canyon Road. Saturday, noon-3 p.m. Free. Trick-or-treating at stores for children ages 12 and younger and a costume contest near Vons from 12:30-3 p.m. (714) 255-1006.
"Howlin' Canyon," Halloween parties with crafts, pumpkin games, treats, hikes and more for 6- to 10-year-olds, will be at the Oak Canyon Nature Center, 6700 E. Walnut Canyon Road. Saturday, 4 and 5 p.m. $7.50. Reservations: (714) 998-8380.
A Halloween party will be held at the Learning Light Foundation, 1212 E. Lincoln Ave. Saturday. Dinner, 6 p.m. $15. Five spirit circles. 7:30 p.m. $15 per circle. Magic show. 10 p.m. $15. All three events for $25. Costume judging and dancing. 10 p.m. (714) 533-2311.
