For islanders who love cosplay, candy, chills and thrills, the best few days of the year have arrived — the lead-up to Halloween, and then, the big night.
Vashon Highway will be closed for the safety of trick-or-treaters and costumed revelers young and old, from 3:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31.
Trick-or-treating at participating businesses will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the continuing street closure throughout the evening will allow businesses to safely expand to the sidewalks throughout the afternoon and evening.
The event is orchestrated each year by the Vashon Chamber of Commerce, drawing hundreds if not thousands of costumed islanders to celebrate the spooky holiday in one safe, easy-to-navigate location — Vashon’s temporarily traffic-free main highway, downtown.
Vashon Park District will also hold its annual Halloween party for kids of various sizes from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, at Ober Park, complete with a scary maze, games, stories and candy. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes, and more, throughout the evening.
From 7 p.m. on, some local businesses will host various additional activities for adults. Haunt the streets to find out what’s happening.
But is one night of Halloween not enough? Have no fear, there are other events also going on Saturday and Sunday.
Join in or watch the second annual Witches’ Paddle, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Jensen Point Beach — an all-ages event that invites islanders to don witchy outfits and take to the water via paddleboards, kayaks, canoes or rowboats. Participants are responsible for their own safety gear, hydration and adult supervision of children. In case of high winds, the alternate location will be Raab’s Lagoon.
Find out more about the event on its Facebook event page, at tinyurl.com/3jrn75uc.
Camp Burton will also host a night of food, fun and fright, from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the camp. Family-friendly activities — including hayrides, haunted campground tours, family portraits, snacks and beverages, crafting and a carnival — will run from 3 to 6:30 p.m., with a “Monster Bash” dance, for ages 16 and older, taking place from 7 to 9 p.m.
Entry is free to all for the festivities.
The following night, “The Witching Hour,” starring Arnaldo! Drag Chanteuse, will be presented at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at Vashon Center for the Arts.
The evening of cabaret is a Halloween fundraiser for the Pacific Cabaret Association, filled with songs about the moon, shadows, magic spells, witches, goblins and other chills and thrills. Featured performers include Angie Louise, of The Love Markets; The Sirens of Swing; John Engerman; Mathew Stull; Gretchen Rumbaugh; Aleksa Manila; and Vashon’s very own Evan Stults, as musical director of the evening.
Attendees are urged to wear festive costume attire, and expect more surprises and prizes, at the event.
Get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
Youths under the age of 18 will be admitted free.
