Yountville’s Inaugural Halloween Block Party: partying pups, people and the Pancha’s preview shined
When I arrived at 4 p.m. last Friday, Oct. 31, dozens of revelers were already walking through town to Yountville’s inaugural six-hour Halloween Block Party.
Organizers estimate that more than 500 attendees participated throughout the night in the party, held in the northern section of Washington Street, which was open only to foot traffic between Madison and Pedroni streets.
I walked through an eerie, foggy mist that surrounded the Mad Fritz Brewing Co. cold beer booth and wafted out onto the street. A few steps further, I spotted Pancha’s, with the newly refurbished service windows wide open with beverages available for purchase and a banner posted on the building that promised, “Pancha’s – Opening Soon!”
Roughly 100 attendees, not counting the many canines, had already arrived. Most were in costume. A red Cal Fire engine and accompanying ambulance was in the middle of the blocked-off street, which appeared may be part of an opening ceremony, though it was not.
Yountville Parks and Recreation Director Samantha Holland said in all of the years she has been planning events for Yountville, they have always had a fire lane, but they have never had to use it.
Fortunately, the first responders were able to tend to a participant who momentarily lost consciousness but was promptly stabilized. Sergeant James Baumgartner said that if the stage had been set in the middle of the road, they would not have been able to get the emergency personnel in. “This is exactly why we have this.”
Steady Eddy and the Shakers were setting up and performing their sound checks, as more and more pups arrived in their Halloween finest for the dog costume contest and pageant presented by Waggin’ Trails Rescue.
Before the dogs walked the red carpet and festivities were officially kicked off, Scott Lewis of Pancha’s kindly took me inside for a sneak peek of the refurbished historic bar.
It was not yet ready to open to the public, so photos disallowed. “The devil is in the details. It has taken extra time and extra love to create what we are creating here,” Lewis said.
There will be several televisions throughout the space, and original memorabilia will be included in the refreshed décor. The footprint of the main bar at Pancha’s retains the similar L-shape, while two other interior sections will feature an original pool table and jukebox. The other area, graced by a chandelier crafted of a To Kalon Vineyard grapevine, will be called the “Church of Wine.”
The plan is to host karaoke, trivia and open mic comedy nights.
Prior Pancha’s patrons will be stunned by the new restrooms, “We’ve spent an extra bit of love here,” Lewis said showing off the restrooms. “The bathrooms will be absolutely stunning; we have spared no expense here.”
Another marked improvement is the outdoor Pancha’s Beer and Wine Garden, which already boasts a large cement patio, an expansive artificial turf area and plenty of room for the food truck. Lewis said that the perimeter of the outdoor area will be planted with a rose garden in homage to the late Rose Solis, the iconic member of the Solis family who, for decades, worked at and oversaw the bar.
“We hoped to be ready to be open, but we have just been delayed by windows and doors, and nothing that we can control,” Lewis said. “It is going to be ready when it’s going to be ready.”
Lewis explained that the beverage choices will range from four draft beers, including Pabst Blue Ribbon, to rare and highly-sought wines such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.
“It will range from PBR to DRC,” Lewis said. “It is something for the locals, something for the town, something for the vets, something for the vintners, something for everyone.
“Obviously the tourists are part of all it. But we want it to be the ‘Cheers’ of the community. We need something like that for locals. That’s what’s important.”
As I meandered back outside Pancha’s, the crowd had quickly grown to several hundred. Yountville Mayor Margie Mohler was on stage. “Thank you for bringing magic to this moment,” she declared. “Let the haunting begin!”
The Waggin’ Trails Rescue Foundation dog pageant and costume contest followed, with a red carpet parade of pooches, smartly and cleverly dressed. Then the street party really took off with the live band.
“This Halloween marked another new milestone for Yountville” Mayor Mohler said. “With over 500 people filling the street or celebrating inside our local businesses, it was a vibrant reminder of what makes our town so special.
“The costumes were a parade of imagination. From an ogre monster and his glittering fairy to pint-sized pirates, every costume told a story, including a spectacular dog parade, and the energy was electric.”
Mohler also noted that Town Manager Brad Raulston had selected the band, which kept the party spirits high and that the “after-party at the Villagio Hotel carried the celebration well into the night.”
The evening was the launch of the new Yountville entertainment zone, which was approved by the Town Council earlier this year. The designation allows open-container alcohol consumption within the zone.
“As part of our Focus Yountville initiative, our entertainment zones are more than just festive spaces; they will be platforms to showcase our local talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and rich history. They invite every resident, business, and visitor to be part of Yountville’s evolving story,” Mohler explained.
After the event, Sgt. Baumgartner said, “(The) entertainment zone Halloween party went well, and we are pleased to announce that we had zero calls for service. We look forward to working with the town on upcoming entertainment zone events in the future.”
Holland reported, “We have received so many great comments from our residents and businesses. We are already planning and looking forward to next year.”
“What stood out most wasn’t just the creativity,” Mohler concluded. “It was the sense of unity of everyone having fun. People of all ages came together, laughed together and celebrated together. That’s the heart of Yountville.”
