Fair Oaks Mall Adds Climbing Structures and Costume Contest for Halloween

On Oct. 31, Fair Oaks Mall will host a free grand opening for a new play space designed for young children. The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., includes a costume contest, prizes, and a DJ.

The play area is located near the JCPenney store. It features a seating area for adults, large acorn-shaped structures for climbing, a brown slide, and a balance beam styled like a log. The flooring displays large leaf designs to mimic a forest floor.

Olshan Properties, the owner of the mall, stated the space is part of ongoing efforts to provide amenities for families. Christie Morgan, the mall's general manager, said in a press release that the addition is an investment in creating experiences for the community. She described the mall as a place where the community comes together.

The play space opened earlier this month. It is one of several recent changes at the location. Toys R Us added a store at the mall as part of a nationwide expansion, replacing Go! Toys and Games. Additionally, Slime Co, a build-your-own slime bar, opened this fall next to Urban Planet, a clothing retailer.

Following the morning celebration, the mall will hold its annual Mall-O-Ween event from 5 to 8 p.m. on the same day. Participating stores will offer trick-or-treating to the public. Both the grand opening and the evening festivities are free.

Cirque Italia's Water Circus Atlantis will return to the mall on Nov. 6. The performance series will run through the weekend. The circus previously visited the location this summer.

The new play area and recent retail changes aim to attract families to the shopping center. The mall is positioning these additions as central to its community offerings.