The frightful and often funny images associated with Halloween will be the theme of an exhibition to be held from Oct. 7 to Nov. 8 at the Design Gallery at the University of California, Davis. "Designed for Fright: Halloween Imagery in the American Home" will feature objects designed for the celebration of Halloween. A public reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, will feature contests for the best carved jack-o'-lantern and the strangest and most grotesque vegetable, carved or uncarved. Those wishing to participate should bring their entries to the gallery promptly at 2 p.m. Prizes will be awarded at 4 p.m. Visitors to the reception are encouraged to wear costumes. The exhibition will feature a variety of mass-produced and unique artifacts illustrating past and present customs of Halloween. It will include a walk-through haunted house filled with antique decorations, party favors, costumes, contemporary artists' dolls and printed material. A series of vignettes showing different Halloween rituals will be geared toward both children and adults. "Designed for Fright" is sponsored by Wishing Well Enterprises of Sacramento and Spellbound, a costume and magic shop in Old Sacramento. The Design Gallery is located in Room 145 of Walker Hall. It is open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free, and parking is free on Sundays.