🎃 Halloween Party & Potluck at Harker’s Back Forty — San Mateo

Come celebrate Halloween with your New Beginnings friends at Harker’s Back Forty — otherwise known as Robert Harker’s backyard — for an evening of costumes, food, music, conversation, and Halloween fun. 👻🎃

Whether you go all-out with a costume, throw together something simple, or just come as yourself, join us for a relaxed Friday night hanging out with old friends and making some new ones.

📅 Friday, October 30
🕡 6:30–11:00 PM
📍 San Mateo — exact address provided to attendees by email the day before

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👻 COSTUMES ENCOURAGED!

Costumes are encouraged, but definitely not required. Clever, funny, spooky, nostalgic, last-minute, or wonderfully ridiculous — anything goes.

Mostly, come ready to have fun! 😁

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🧺 HALLOWEEN POTLUCK 🎃

Please bring food and/or drinks to share with the group. There’s no potluck sign-up and no assigned category, so bring whatever sounds good to you — an appetizer, salad, side dish, main dish, dessert, Halloween creation, or another favorite.

Homemade specialties are always welcome, but absolutely not required. This is meant to be an easy, informal gathering.

Robert also has a small BBQ available if you’d like to bring something to grill.

🍴 Bring something to eat. 🥤 Bring something to drink. 🤝 Bring something to share.

Robert will provide the tables, chairs, plates, utensils, cups, and other serving basics.

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🎶 A Night at the Back Forty

Come at 6:30 or whatever time works for you. Settle in, grab some food, and enjoy a casual evening together. We’ll have plenty of time to mingle, listen to music, show off our costumes, and enjoy a little Halloween spirit.

No elaborate Halloween production required — just good food, good company, and a fun excuse to spend the Friday before Halloween with friends.

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🧥 Dress for the Evening

San Mateo evenings can get chilly after sunset, and we’ll be outside, so bring a jacket, sweater, or coat.

🔥 Robert has several outdoor heaters, too, to help keep things comfortable as the evening cools down.

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🚗 Parking

The Back Forty is located across from San Mateo High School in north San Mateo.

There is plenty of off-street parking behind the San Mateo Performing Arts Center and next to the San Mateo Union High School District offices. Please use these lots rather than parking in the surrounding neighborhood so street parking remains available for Robert’s neighbors.

♿️ Robert’s driveway is reserved for anyone who needs accessible parking.

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📍 Location

Because this event is being held at a private home, Robert’s exact address and additional arrival information will be emailed to attendees the day before the event.

Please make sure the email address associated with your Meetup account is current and watch for the event email on Thursday.

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💚 Thank You, Robert!

A special thank-you to Robert Harker for opening his backyard to New Beginnings and providing the tables, chairs, dishes, heaters, and supplies that make these gatherings possible.

And for anyone wondering…

“The Back Forty of what?”

Robert will tell you when he figures that out! 😉

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Come spend the Friday night before Halloween with your New Beginnings friends for a festive evening at the Back Forty. We’d love to see you there! 🎃👻🍂

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🔷 See our Group Guidelines HERE

🔴 Help Keep the Fun Going in 2026
As a volunteer-led group, member contributions help cover Meetup fees and the occasional venue rental that make our gatherings possible. If you haven’t contributed in 2026, we invite you to give a $20 annual cash contribution (with your name) directly to the event host. (Contributions are not tax-deductible.) See our 2026 contributor list. New here? Enjoy a couple of events first — then pitch in if it feels like a good fit!

🔴 Liability Reminder
By participating in any New Beginnings Social Event, you and your guest(s) RELEASE and DISCHARGE the organizers, hosts, and participants from all liability for injuries, illness, damages, death, issues relating to privacy or economic loss arising from activities, advice, or information provided. Participation is voluntary and entirely at your own risk. You are responsible for your safety, belongings, and transportation decisions. Choose carpool drivers carefully and consider leaving valuables at home.