When an event is in it’s fourth year, you know it has legs. This one has thousands and thousands of them — most young and in costume, all out for an afternoon of trick or treating.

On Oct. 27 at 4 p.m., children, their parents, pets and friends, will begin marching from Main and Pearl to First Street, where they will turn right and head west to Franklin. If they make it all the way (and some are just too darned excited about the prospect of all those treats to go the distance) they will visit stores that have black and orange balloons on display. Those balloons are, in the language of children, a promise of bounty beyond imagination, all theirs for the mere asking. Candy!

The day really begins hours before that after the crew from Umpqua Bank has set up “spooktacular” displays throughout the Napa Town Center. These backdrops are worth the trip downtown just to see them, and they provide wonderful photo opportunities. (“What did you and the family do for vacation this year?” “We took the kids to the graveyard, where they were arm-in-arm with goblins. That’s them in the photo.”) The displays are usually up by 1 p.m.

The staff at Umpqua has made this parade a community success since it began. It is a labor of love for the employees, all of whom dress in costume and march along with everyone else. Over the years, adults who recognize a good time have begun to don Halloween garb and joined in the fun. Whether you come to see the displays, march or stand on First Street and watch the children as they march, it’s a fun day, and all are welcome. Thanks also to the Napa Town Center, who co-sponsors the event. For information, visit www.napadowntown.com, or call 257-0322.

Artist Showing

Continuing through Nov. 30, M J Schaer Gallery at the Historic Napa Mill in Napa Valley will debut “GAZES,” an alluring collection of original oil paintings by artist Timothy Gates.

“This collection of original oil paintings is truly enchanting,” said gallery owner M J Schaer. “Each piece captivates and holds you with an outer or inner gaze that mesmerizes, making you wonder what the subject is thinking, observing. His unique compositions and uncommon sizes add to the elements that set Timothy Gates’ work above and apart from other artists.”

Gates says of his own style of working, “I don’t really plan anything … I don’t have any direct intention, it’s my meditation. Everyone interprets things differently, and for the most part, my art is left pretty open.” An artist reception will be held Oct. 13, from 1-4 p.m. Please RSVP.

M J Schaer Gallery is at 500 Main St. in the Historic Napa Mill on the Napa Riverfront in downtown Napa. For information call 251-3726, e-mail: mjs@mjschaergallery.com, or visit www.mjschaergallery.com.

See you downtown!

Craig Smith is the executive director of the Napa Downtown Association, and can be reached at 257-0322 or craig@napadowntown.com.