While some stores are already stocking shelves with Christmas-related merchandise, don’t let the current pumpkin holiday pass you by. From mild to macabre, there are plenty of ways to bring out your inner-ghoul in Kitsap. We’ve organized the activities on a scale from not-so scary to the scariest. Parents this is just a guide, and when in doubt, please follow your gut—brah-ha-ha!
NOT-SO SCARY
Costume Swap: KiDiMu will host its first Costume Exchange, Oct. 9 – 30. Bring any gently used complete Halloween costumes, costume pieces and accessories to KiDiMu and exchange them for something new or “new-to-you.” The museum is located at 301 Ravine Lane, Bainbridge. Free with admission or membership. Info: www.kidimu.org.
Creek House Farm: Pumpkin patch is open weekends through October. Hours: Friday, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Located at 6060 E. Collins Road, Port Orchard. The farm has more than 20 varieties of pumpkins. Info: www.creekhousefarm.com.
Minder Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch: This month, open Wednesday and Thursday, 4- 6 p.m.; Friday, 4-7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Located at 1000 Guld’s Pond Road, Bremerton. Admission to maze: $8 adult, $6 children, free for children younger than 4. Military discount with ID. Info and coupon: www.mindermeats.com.
Pheasant Fields Farm: Through Nov. 1, the farm is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s located at 13274 Clear Creek Road, Silverdale. The farm has a pumpkin patch, corn maze and the scary Wild Woods. Witches, ghosts and goblins wait for you in the dark woods — enter at your own risk! Wild Woods is open Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29 from 7-9:30 p.m. Admission is $8, military discount is $7. Info: www.pheasantfields.com.
Sunrise Hill Farm: Through Oct. 30, the farm, maze and pumpkin patch is open Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Located at 11033 NE Tulin Road, Kingston. Meet sheep, goats, llamas, chickens and cows. A new feature this year is wagon rides pulled by two black Percheron horses. Wagon rides: $4 adult, $3 children. Maze prices: $8.25 adults, $5.25 children, free for children 4 and younger. Dog day at the farm is Oct. 9; visitors are allowed to bring their friendly and leashed dog. Info: www.sunrisehillfarm.org.
Suyematsu Farms: Open every day in October. Weekdays hours are 1-5 p.m.; weekends hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The farm is located at 9227 Day Road on Bainbridge Island. Pumpkin patch, hay bale maze and tractor rides. Info: www.suyematsufarm.com.
Bainbridge Garden 18th annual Pumpkin Walk: Oct. 21-22, 6-8 p.m. at Bainbridge Gardens, 9415 Miller Road, Bainbridge. Approximately 300 lighted carved pumpkins will line the trail. This is a free, all-ages event. Donations for the Boys and Girls Club will be accepted. If you wish to submit a carved pumpkin for display, drop it off at the gardens by the afternoon of Oct. 21. Info: www. bainbridgegardens.com.
The Unspooky Show: Halloween Stories for Young Children: Oct. 22, 11: 30 a.m. and 1 p.m., at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art Auditorium, 554 Winslow Way, Bainbridge. See animal puppets come to life as acclaimed storyteller Susy Irwin shares whimsical stories and songs, filled with Halloween spirit. Dave Webb will open the show with a selection of American folk classics for kids. All ages. Tickets: $7 for KiDiMu members and $10 general admission. For tickets, call (206) 855-4650. Info: www.kidimu.org.
Monster Bash at the Admiral Theatre: Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m., 515 Pacific Ave., Bremerton. This is a Halloween party thrown for the younger set, complete with a costume contest. Decorate a trick-or-treat bag, play games and dance. Target age: 6 and younger (and, of course, accompanied by their parents). Tickets are $5 and available at www.admiraltheatre.org.
Wilkes Halloween Carnival: Oct. 29 from 12:30 -5 p.m. at Wilkes Elementary School, 12781 Madison Ave., Bainbridge. Carnival features games, a cake walk, face painting and a haunted house. Activities require tickets or an unlimited wristband. Tickets are 50 cents a piece; wristbands are $20 for the first child and $15 for siblings. Food from Casa Rojas will be available for purchase. All proceeds go toward funding the fourth-grade Outdoor Education Program.
Ghost Train: Oct. 29 from 2-8 p.m. at Jackson Park, on the corner of Jackson Avenue and Lund Avenue in Port Orchard. Children can ride a ghost train through the haunted park. Children are encouraged to come in costume and trick or treat at various booths. Train rides, $3.
Roots Rock Spooky 12K and Children’s One-Miler: Oct. 30, 8 a.m. in Port Gamble. Dress in costume for the costume contest following the race. Info: www.rootsrockrun.com.
Trick or Treat in Downtown Port Orchard: Oct. 31, late afternoon to early evening. Hours to be confirmed as the date approaches.
Trick or Treat Downtown Bainbridge Island: Oct. 31, 4-6 p.m. in the downtown area of Bainbridge Island. Winslow Way will be closed to allow little witches and ghouls to trick or treat at the shops. A Hotdog ’n’ Chili fundraiser for UNICEF will take place from 4-7 p.m. at Eagle Harbor Church, on the corner of Winslow Way and Madison Avenue.
Trick or Treat in Downtown Poulsbo: Oct. 31, 4-6 p.m., along Front Street in downtown Poulsbo. Front Street will be closed to traffic, allowing little ghosts to safely float from store to store, gathering candy. Bring a non-perishable food donation for Fishline Food Bank.
Halloween Open House at KiDiMu: Come for Trick-or-Treat Fun at KiDiMu on Oct. 31, 4-6 p.m. Stop by the museum for a sweet treat and explore hands-on exhibits free of charge. Info: www.kidimu.org.
Bremerton All City Halloween Pumpkin Fest: Oct. 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Sheridan Park Community Center, 680 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton. Costume contests, games, a haunted room and entertainment.
Kids’ Halloween Party in Hansville: Oct 31, 6-8 p.m. at the Greater Hansville Community Center, 6778 Buck Lake Road, Hansville. Games, prizes and treats.
SCARIER
Ghost Light Tales: Oct. 21-23, 28-30, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Adapted from radio horror stories from the 1940s, these five tales are told in the styles of “The Twilight Zone” and “Tales from the Crypt.” Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors/students/military. Info: www.jewelboxpoulsbo.org.
“The Trouble with Harry”: Based on the 1955 Alfred Hitchcock film, the play runs through Oct. 23 at the Western Washington Center for the Arts, 521 Bay St., Port Orchard. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 5 p.m., final performance on Oct. 23 is at 3 p.m. Tickets range from $13-$17 and are available at www.westernwactrarts.qwestoffice.net. The quirky residents of a small village are faced with the freshly dead body of Harry Worp, which has inconveniently appeared on the hillside above the town. The problem of what to do with the body and, more importantly, how and why Harry was killed is the “Trouble With Harry.”
The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Oct. 21-23, 28-30, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 6 p.m., at Central Stage Theatre of County Kitsap. Tickets range from $12-$17 and are available at www.cstock.org. Accessory kits for audience members to participate in the show are $10 and will be available at the door.
Port Gamble Ghost Walks: Wednesdays and Saturdays through October. Cost: $15 per person, reservations required. Call (360) 297-8074. This guided tour travels throughout town with stops at where supernatural activities have been reported. Bring a flash light and infrared cameras and recorders. In the case of bad weather, the walk will be cancelled. Ages 16 and older.
Port Gamble Ghost Conference: Weekend-long conference Oct. 28-30 in Port Gamble. Weekend includes classes, panel discussions, tours and investigations of local ghosts.
Silverdale Beach Hotel Halloween Bash: Oct. 29, 8 p.m., 3073 NW Bucklin Hill Road, Silverdale. Costume contest, live music, maze and mini haunted house. Admission is $5.
Halloween Victorian House of Horrors Dessert Tea: Oct. 30-31, 7:30 p.m. at the Tea Room at Port Gamble. Cost is $23.95, plus tax and gratuity. Be entertained and spooked with theatrical presentations that tell tales of horror. This event is not recommended for children. Reservations required: (360) 297-4225.
SCARIEST
Kitsap County Haunted Fairgrounds: Oct.14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 and 31. For the younger crowd, or more jittery folks, the lights are on from 5-6 p.m. The grounds go dark from 6-11 p.m. for the thrill-seekers. (The full experience is rated PG-13.) General admission tickets are $12 and VIP passes are $20, allowing buyers to go through twice and avoid any lines. Those who bring in a canned food donation for local food banks will get $1 off.
Halloween Haunted Ship: Oct. 27-31 aboard the USS Turner Joy, 300 Washington Beach Ave., Bremerton. Thursday, Sunday and Monday, 6-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $10. Bring in a large canned good and receive $1 off admission. The USS Turner Joy transforms into a spooky ship for this sixth annual event. This year’s theme is the “Bremerton Experiment,” an off-take of “The Philadelphia Experiment,” a sci-fi and perhaps true story. Event recommended for ages 8 and older. Proceeds benefit the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.
Hive of Horror: The First Class Petty Officers Association operates a haunted house at 4070 Thresher Ave., Silverdale, On Oct. 21-22 and 28-29. children’s scare from 6-7 p.m., adult scare from 7 p.m. to closing. On Oct. 23 and 27, children’s scare from 6-7 p.m. and adult scare from 7-10 p.m. Admission: $6 adults, $4 for children ages 5-12, free for children 4 and younger. Proceeds support Northwest Region Seabee Ball.
