San Francisco Blog

Here are your Halloween headlines for the biggest nonevent of 2007 in San Francisco. --David Downs

Tow Trucks Final Blow to Halloween in the Castro:

San Francisco is pulling out all the stops to prevent a party in the Castro tonight, including the unkindest cut of all -- unleashing an army of tow trucks on hapless parkers.

Death of Castro Halloween -- Funeral Procession:

Halloween Night
Wednesday, 10/31/07, 6PM
Come join us to mourn the Death of Castro Halloween with a funeral procession from
Beale & Market to Castro & Market on Halloween Night Wed, 10/31/07!

16th St. BART Closed:

In an effort to discourage the annual crowds and potential violence, the 16 Street BART station will close at 8 p.m. Wednesday, and Muni's Church, Castro, Forest Hill and West Portal stations will shut down at 8:30 p.m., according to Police Chief Heather Fong.

16th St. BART Closures Irrelevant!:

FREE RIDES DURING 16TH ST./MISSION STATION HALLOWEEN CLOSURE
Dear Passenger:
BART and MUNI are working together to provide free MUNI bus rides between the 16th St./Mission and 24th St./Mission stations following the 8 p.m. closure of the 16th St./Mission Station on Halloween, October 31, 2007. BART will also provide free paratransit rides for disabled and mobility impaired passengers between the two stations.
SHOW BART TICKET FOR FREE MUNI OR PARATRANSIT RIDES

City Puts Screws to Local Business:

"It's more of a threat now. They say go ahead, stay open, but if you walk outside and some of your customers are a little buzzed, ABC's going to be right there and so will the police," says Lucre Torres of Marcello's Pizza.

SF City Gestapo Needs to Stop Halloween 'Cleansing':

As the elected representatives of the 16th and Mission community, we
call on BART to reverse its decision and agree to keep the station open on
Halloween night.
Chris Daly, District 6 Supervisor
Tom Radulovich, District 9 BART Director

100,000 Could Descend on City:

What started as an impromptu street parade of costumes nearly 30 years ago now typically draws about 100,000 from the Bay Area and beyond. Critics of the city's decision shake their heads at a campaign designed to drive people away.

500,000 People Could Possibly Show Tonight:

Halloween on the Castro began as a spontaneous and unsanctioned party but was taken over by the city five years ago after police recorded five stabbings and a number of assaults in a 2002 crowd of 500,000 people.