Montecito’s Ghost Village Road was often a coordinated family affair for trick-or-treaters on Halloween. 
Natalie, Robby and Walker Foreman pause for a family photo opportunity with Walker’s proud grandma. 
An octopus and a jellyfish walk down the street … 
Trick-or-treaters were not always complementary characters, but it was all part of the fun. 
Judy Foreman and Tony Arroyo, owner of Los Arroyos Mexican Restaurant. 
Katie Frank of K. Frank was accompanied by a pair of spooky ladies. 
World Dance for Humanity zombie performances of Michael Jackson’s, “Thriller,” were a new addition to Ghost Village Road this year. 
A couple of cool cats on the prowl. 
Some disguises were formally scary. 
Michael Jackson’s, “Thriller,” has been a World Dance for Humanity tradition around Santa Barbara for years. 
Carla and Shaun Tomson. 
Marshmallows, anyone?
The specter of COVID-19 may have scared off last year’s annual Ghost Village Road trick-or-treat extravaganza, but the beloved Montecito tradition wasn’t about to be spooked for a second-straight year.
Even with continued coronavirus precautions and dreary weather, the Halloween turnout was huge, and one of the most spirited and joyful since the event was introduced in 1996.
The fun was hard to miss and, whether it was the lure of candy, a chance to dress up as your alter ego or a bit of normalcy after so much social isolation, it was clear the throngs of families were thrilled to be there and the merchants were excited to welcome them.
It’s hard for me to not be nostalgic as I’ve always had a great giveaway table of my own adjacent to Los Arroyos Mexican Restaurant, at 1280 Coast Village Road.
More to the point, I have fond memories accompanying my now-adult children as they shuffled along the route, their bags brimming with loot. This year, my kids brought their own kids.
Despite Montecito’s undercurrent of a kerfuffle over all the new families and faces who have recently moved to the 93108, the little ones and the adults with them — equal under their costumes — all had a blast.
Ghost Village Road was started by the mile-long street’s businesses to accommodate children who were not safe trick-or-treating in dark and rural Montecito. Fun was good, scary was not.
Coast Village Road has turned out to be a Halloween destination not just for Montecito residents but the entire South Coast, with bigger crowds almost every year.
From 2:30 to 6 p.m., business owners past and present have taken it upon themselves to offer fun treats, play music, dress up and get involved in the festivities.
This year, World Dance for Humanity performed an inspired zombie version of Michael Jackson’s hit, “Thriller,” in front of a large audience in front of Honor Bar, Los Arroyos and other spots. With scores of people singing and dancing along, the new addition appeared to be a hit.
Pirates, Harry Potter, princesses, pumpkins, octopi, jelly fish, Star Wars Stormtroopers, witches, firefighters, dinosaurs, Beetlejuice poltergeists and rock stars were among the costumes I noticed.
But what I will remember most from this year’s edition were the first timers shyly approaching the merchants and saying “trick or treat” — a big accomplishment for many — while their adoring parents grinned and encouraged them from a few feet away.
Compass real estate broker Luke Ebbin summed it up best: “I definitely need more candy next year!”
— Judy Foreman is a Noozhawk columnist and longtime local writer and lifestyles observer. She can be contacted at news@noozhawk.com. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are her own.