POULSBO — As sure as a caramel apple will stick to your fillings, Halloween will once again make an appearance in Little Norway Friday.
Following tradition, Front Street businesses will once again be opening their doors to trick-or-treaters from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 31. Members of the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association usually welcome hundreds of children and families to this safe, fun event.
“It should be a good time,” commented Angela Wilkinson, owner of Mor-In Store and HDPA Community Relations chair.
Most downtown merchants will have candy for little ghosts and goblins. Poulsbo Fire Department crews and the Poulsbo Police Department Citizen Volunteers usually drop by with treats for the tricksters as well.
The Marine Science Center will be open during the Front Street trick or treat event but will also be celebrating all day with its “Halloween Weird and Wonderful” event. Kids can stop by for sea treats and are urged to, “Beware of the giant squid.”
During the Halloween happenings Friday, a number of downtown businesses will also be taking part in the annual grudge match for the best scarecrow. Families are urged to vote for their favorite scarecrow in one of several ballot boxes that will be available throughout Front Street.
Motorists are cautioned that during the HDPA trick-or-treating event, Front Street will be closed to traffic.
For pumpkin patch fun in the Poulsbo area, Scandia Valley Farm will be offering a Peanuts-inspired Great Pumpkin event Oct. 30 and 31. Beginning at 7 p.m., families can bring their flashlights and pick out pumpkins in the dark like Linus and Lucy and the gang. There will be pumpkin muffins and warm drinks to enjoy and candy for the kids. At 8 p.m., guests will be treated to the sight of the Great Pumpkin rising out of the pumpkin patch.
Owner May Lou Jensen said she will be having special treats for children who visit the Great Pumpkin event on Friday. She also plans to hide treats in the pumpkin patch for kids to find. The only admission price is for children to purchase a pumpkin from the patch.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Jensen said. “My son has been helping me with this giant inflatable pumpkin that rises out of the pumpkin patch and on Halloween we’re going to make it go way up in the air.”
Jensen said she would like people to RSVP for Halloween if possible so she’ll know how many treats to make.
Other kid-friendly happenings in Poulsbo Friday include:
•Bayside Community Church and Sandamar Farm harvest festival — 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31 at 4499 NE Gunderson. Fun area, inflatables, hay rides. Free admission with one bag of candy per child. Call (360) 779-9861.
•Christ Memorial Church Harvest Carnival — 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the church. For children 10 and younger. Ticketed games, face painting, coloring contest, games and food. “Friendly” costumes welcome. Admission is $1 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call (360) 779-5515.
•Halloween overnighter at the North Kitsap Community Pool — 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at the pool. For sixth to eighth graders. Cost is $30 per child. Call (360) 598-1070.
•St. Charles Episcopal Church Trunk ‘O Treat harvest festival — 5-9 p.m. Oct. 31. Treats, face painting, preschool crafts, cake walk and barbecue dinner. Call (360) 779-3524.
For more information about Halloween at the Marine Science Center, call (360) 779-5549.
For more information about the Scandia Valley Farm event, or to RSVP, call Ken and Mary Lou Jensen at (360) 779-3353 or (360) 649-7756.
