HALLOWEEN
Halloween costume contest at Den of Pinball Alley: Show off your best costume from 2–11 p.m. Friday, at Den of Pinball Alley. The winner will receive a free year of pinball.
Halloween road closure: From 5–8 p.m. Friday, Vashon Highway will close from Ober Park to Vashon Theatre as trick-or-treaters fill town with spooky spirit. Expect live performances, haunted houses, and plenty of costumed fun. No parking will be allowed along the highway during the event.
Boo Bash at Ober Park: Watch Munster TV and celebrate Halloween with the Vashon Park District from 5–7 p.m. Friday in the Exercise Room at Ober Park.
Halloween dance party at Wine Shop Vashon: Trick-or-treating begins at 5 p.m. Friday, followed by a DJ dance party with Michael Whitmore at 7 p.m. at Wine Shop Vashon in Vashon Village. All ages welcome.
The Rocky Horror Show at VCA: Catch Vashon Repertory Theatre’s The Rocky Horror Show at 10 p.m. Friday at Vashon Center for the Arts — a lively, audience-interactive performance marking 50 years of the cult classic.
MORE NEWS
Time to vote: Ballots for the Nov. 4 general election are out. Voters must return them by mail with a Nov. 4 postmark or drop them off by 8 p.m. that day at the official box outside the Vashon Library at Ober Park. Voters can still register and vote in person through Election Day at any King County vote center. Track your ballot or sign up for alerts at kingcounty.gov/elections.
Deer hunt: The annual limited deer-hunting season at Island Center Forest continues through Oct. 31. Trails in the Natural Area remain open, but the rest of the park is closed to all except licensed hunters. Overseen by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the hunt helps manage Vashon’s growing deer population, which lacks natural predators. Hunters with a valid big game license and modern firearm tag may take one deer; a special permit allows a second antlerless deer. Maps are available at tinyurl.com/3hnxbpkv (English) and tinyurl.com/4zpxywzy (Spanish).
New WSF rules for damaged EV transport: Starting Nov. 1, Washington State Ferries will enforce new safety rules for transporting damaged or inoperable electric, hybrid, and alternative-fuel vehicles. The policy aims to reduce fire and electrical risks from compromised batteries. Only vehicles deemed stable — with no signs of fire, smoke, leaks, or electrical issues — will be allowed aboard. Tow companies must complete a WSF Transport Form and present it to ferry staff before boarding. Approved vehicles will receive a blue “Safe for Transit” card for display. Captains have final authority to deny boarding if safety concerns arise. Charging EVs remains prohibited on ferries and at terminals.
Warm clothing/gear needed: Hilary Emmer, who has long worked with the Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness to assist islanders who are not secure in housing, is collecting apparel and gear for islanders who are sleeping outside in cold weather. To donate warm socks, gloves, coats, sweatshirts, sleeping bags and rain coats, email hilonvason@yahoo.com.
Services could be interrupted: The state Department of Social and Health Services’ mobile office is scheduled to visit the United Methodist Church parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at 17928 Vashon Highway SW. Islanders can apply for food, cash, and medical services or update existing cases. Due to the ongoing federal budget impasse, SNAP funding beyond October remains uncertain and the visit may be canceled if the shutdown continues. For updates, visit washingtonconnection.org.
Shellfishing closures: Some Vashon-Maury Island beaches remain closed to recreational shellfishing due to unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poison. Check the Department of Health’s map at fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/biotoxin.html or call 800-562-5632. Commercial shellfish sites are monitored separately.
