Be afraid, but have fun too; San Juan sets a spooky stage for Halloween

A cauldron of Halloween fun is brewing, with live music, a teen dance, games and, of course, trick-or-treating in local neighborhoods.

The annual Halloween Parade featuring Friday Harbor Elementary School students will begin downtown at 1 p.m., as eager spectators await the arrival of children dressed in their Halloween finery.

A hot spot for trick-or-treaters is the Greenway neighborhood located across from the county fairgrounds in Friday Harbor. Resident Richard Pederson’s lawn and home will feature a coffin, tombstone, fog machine, music and 5,000 orange lights. He promises the display will be bigger and better than ever. The light show will be open for drive-by viewing Thursday night.

For the past 10 to 12 years, the Greenway neighborhood has been an island attraction at Halloween. Spruce Street and Rose Lane will be blocked off from incoming traffic at 6 p.m. People are encouraged to park across from the fairgrounds.

Get an early start on the Halloween fun Thursday, 8-11 p.m., when Front Street Ale House hosts a pre-Halloween party with music by “Be Careful,” an alternative rock band.

Friday, the little ones can enjoy Halloween preschool storytime and crafts at10:30 a.m. in the San Juan Island Library. The free event features fun Halloween stories and a paper pumpkin craft.

Enjoy a different kind of Halloween treat Friday: Fresh chum salmon tacos. Local fisherman Matt Marinkovich will sell salmon tacos from 2-5 p.m. in front of Spring Street International School for $6. All proceeds will be donated to the private school.

Island Community Church sponsors a Harvest Party for island families Friday, 5-7 p.m. on 127 Gilbert Lane off San Juan Valley Road. There will be carnival games, candy, hot dogs, popcorn and prizes. Children younger than 12 dressed in friendly costumes are invited to play a myriad of festive games. Pie and coffee will be served to adults.

The ninth annual Island Rec Teen Halloween Party is from 7:30–10 p.m. in the county fairgrounds main exhibit hall. The party will include music, dancing, food and a costume contest with prizes.

The local youth rock band Stop, Drop & Rock will perform in the Grange on Halloween from 8 p.m. to midnight. Homemade pizza, costume prizes, a brain-eating contest and crowning of Zombie Prom King and Queen are the many highlights of the evening. Imaginary Creative Arts is sponsoring this event. Free admission for youth ages 16 and under.

The Jesus Chords, with heavy musical guest Lords of Tiamat, rock Herb’s Tavern from 9 p.m. till closing. Haley’s Bait Shop & Grill hosts a costume contest, with judging and prizes at 10 p.m.

Saturday at the San Juan Island Library, the Teen Book Club will watch and discuss the movie, “Blood and Chocolate,” starring Agnes Bruckner, Hugh Dancy and Olivier Martinez, 5:30 p.m.

The movie is based on the book written by Annette Curtis Klause.

Pizza will be served. Copies of the book are available for loan.

Contact Journal of the San Juans Reporter Ann Templeton Monin at amonin@sanjuanjournal.com or 360-378-5696, ext. 16.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.