By Isabel Ashley
It’s time to pull out those costumes and brush off your trick-or-treat bags. With Halloween just around the corner, we’ve compiled a list of activities and events happening on the island during the last weekend of October to get you and your family in the ‘spirit.’ The following events are organized by date and include important details such as applicable registration deadlines, admission fees, age requirements and more. Let’s get our spook on!
Event: Haunted Forest Cemetery Trail, hosted by The Scouts of San Juan Island and Wolf Hollow WRC, sponsored by Roche Harbor Resort and San Juan Transit
Who: *All ages
When: Oct. 27 and Oct. 28 from 5-10 p.m.
Where: Roche Harbor Mausoleum Trailhead
What to expect: $5 admissions for a historic and thrilling tour of the Roche Harbor Cemetery, guided by a “grave digger” who will escort participants through the grave plots, providing historical facts and context about each of the known residents. Tours take about 20-30 minutes and end at the access road to the AfterGlow Mausoleum, where participants can choose to proceed (if they dare!) for a more interactive, terrifying experience. Additionally, tarot card readings conducted by Wolf Hollow as well as a selection of beverages and treats can be purchased at the event. Proceeds support the Scout Troop 4090, Cub Pack 4090 and Wolf Hollow.
Special notes: *Levels of scariness vary throughout the evening. According to the flyer, 5 p.m. to dusk is “kid friendly,” dusk to 9 p.m. is “scary,” and 9-10 p.m. you should “wear diapers.” It is recommended to wear good boots or shoes for rocky paths, and to bring a flashlight.
Event: Hallow-Lock-in, hosted by the San Juan Island Library’s Teen Library Council
Who: 5th-8th graders
When: Oct. 27 from 7-10 p.m.
Where: San Juan Island Library
What to expect: An evening of board games, hide and seek, karaoke, crafts, snacks and more. A costume contest will be open to all attendees and involves prizes. According to the library’s website, the event “will probably not be as spooky as the flyer might indicate.”
Special notes: Registration is required for entry; registration closes Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. Participants must arrive by 7 p.m. to be admitted. Register online at https://live-sanjuan.pantheonsite.io/event/hallow-lock-1531.
Event: Spook Ball, hosted by Desert Atoll
Who: Ages 21+
When: Oct. 27 at 10:30 p.m.
Where: JP’s Paradise Lanes
What to expect: Costume contest and DJs Pelagic Periwinkle, Psekoselecta, Bimpluva, Ronnie Castro and Sean de Fuca
Event: Witch’s Paddle, hosted by local witches of San Juan Island
Who: *All ages
When: Oct. 28 at 11 a.m.
Where: Paddleboarders launch from Shipyard Cove; “Land witches” can watch from the end of Spring St. dock
What to expect: Paddleboarders dressed in witch costumes will paddle from Shipyard Cove to the dock beneath Downriggers restaurant and back. If you search “witch paddle” online, this kind of event has been hosted along the west coast and around the US. A few San Juan Island locals decided to host the first witch paddle in 2021 after seeing it done on Orcas.
Special notes: *Participants should be comfortable and confident with paddleboarding and must provide their own gear (kayaks and surfboards with paddle are acceptable). It is recommended to bring a life jacket and a witch hat with a chinstrap for the wind. Although there will be attendees to assist with safety, paddlers participate at their own risk. In case of rain, a message will be sent out on the “What’s Up Friday Harbor?” Facebook page to to change to the rain date, Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. Parking is limited.
Event: Bowling and Kids Costume Contest, hosted by Island Rec and JP’s
Who: All ages
When: Oct. 28 from 4-6 p.m.
Where: JP’s Restaurant/Paradise Lanes
What to expect: Costumed children can enjoy free bowling and participate in the costume contest which will be judged at 5:45 p.m. Stay after and enjoy Tommy Dale and the Dangerfields playing live at 6pm.
Event: Costume contest and live music, hosted by the American Legion
Who: *American Legion members and their guests
When: Oct. 28 at 8:30 p.m.
Where: The American Legion
What to expect: Live music from The Flipslide and a costume contest.
Special notes: *Not a member? Call 360-378-5705 to find out how you can become a member today.
Event: Trick or Book, sponsored by San Juan Island Library and the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center, along with other partnering organizations
Who: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers
When: Oct. 29 from 2-4 p.m.
Where: *The lawn between the Mullis Center and the Family Resource Center
What to expect: Families with little ones can receive a free book and other treats at the 4th Annual Trick or Book; older siblings and other family members are welcome. There will also be stories and apple cider for refreshments.
Special notes: *In case of rain, the event will be held inside the Mullis Center.
Event: Paint-a-Pumpkin, hosted by Parent to Parent
Who: Children with special needs and/or disabilities
When: Oct. 30 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Where: Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center
What to expect: A pumpkin painting event that is specifically designed for children with special needs and/or disabilities. Families and parents have an opportunity to connect with each other and can learn more about Parent to Parent, a program that connects and supports these families.
Special notes: Registration is required. Register by emailing Jen DeShon, Parent to Parent coordinator, at p2p.jlsfrc@gmail.com, or call/text 360-622-0326. Parents/caregivers are welcome to accompany their child, but due to limited space, other siblings and family members are not able to attend.
Event: Friday Harbor Elementary School Costume Parade
Who: Spectators of all ages
When: Oct. 31 at 9 a.m.
Where: The parade will begin at the elementary school and students will walk from Grover and turn onto Argyle, then cross at the crosswalk on Spring St. and walk down to Friday Harbor Drug, then cross in front of the movie theater before turning back onto Argyle and returning to the school.
What to expect: Come see the elementary school students in their Halloween costumes!
Event: Haunted Court House Tours, hosted by San Juan County
Who: All ages
When: Oct. 31 from 3-5 p.m.
Where: The courthouse
What to expect: Celebrate Halloween and San Juan County’s 150th anniversary by touring the court house to learn about the history and the ghosts who haunt its halls! Get to know your government employees, hear some chilling ghost stories and collect some stickers and candy.
Event: Teen Halloween, hosted by Island Rec and JP’s
Who: 6th-12th graders
When: Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.
Where: JP’s Restaurant/Paradise Lanes
What to expect: Join other costumed teens for music, bowling, candy and pizza. Prizes will be awarded for costumes. Entry is free and no registration is required.
