The spookiest time of the year will again see a frightful array of activities happening round the Rock, with options to suit every level of terror tolerance.
Whether you’re seeking cutesy, campy, spooky or horrifying, Bainbridge Island has you covered in the coming days.
First, for the indecisive and/or procrastinators out there, the annual Halloween Costume Swap continues through Tuesday, Oct. 30 at Kids Discovery Museum.
Go easy on your wallet and find your costume at the same time. KiDiMu members, visitors and the public at large are invited to donate any gently used children’s Halloween costumes, costume pieces and accessories, and exchange them for something new or “new-to-you.”
Costume drop-off or pickup only is also welcome.
Selection is available for browsing daily during operating hours, call 206-855-4650 or visit www.kidimu.org to learn more.
There’s still time to grab your jack-o’-lantern-to-be as well. The pumpkin patch at Suyematsu Farms (9229 Day Road) is open from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Every weekend there are also tractor rides, Bainbridge Island Farms-made pumpkin pies and fresh cider.
Perennial holiday favorite, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975), will return to the big screen at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, courtesy of Bainbridge Cinemas.
Starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick, it’s the perfect marriage of weird and wonderful as newly engaged couple Brad and Janet encounter a problem when their car halts in the rain. They find themselves at the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite mad scientist.
A place to stay is offered, but will Brad and Janet want to remain there when a large group of Transylvanians dance to the “Time Warp,” and the good doctor murders one creation and brings to life another?
Costumes are encouraged.
The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art will again host a Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27.
Admission is free, and events include public remembrances and offerings, face painting, cut paper and tissue paper flower crafts and more.
Mexican hot chocolate and goodies are on the menu for a thrilling themed lunch, available while supplies last.
The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated particular the Central and South regions, and by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere. The typically multi-day holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey.
BIMA guests are invited to bring a photo of a loved one for the ceremonial altar (4-inch-by-4-inch or smaller).
Visit www.biartmuseum.org to learn more.
PacWesty, on outdoor adventure shop specializing in renting vehicles and gear, located at 7869 NE Day Road West, Suite 206, will host a Halloween Bash at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27.
Come dressed to impress and enjoy dancing and fun. PacWesty is providing beer and wine and hosting a costume contest. Party snacks are potluck, so bring a treat to share.
Email adventures@pacwesty.com or call 206-451-4923 to RSVP.
Also happening on Saturday, a day of fall fun is on tap at the new, free community gathering HOWL-O-Ween in the Green, all day long at and around Winslow Green.
Some highlights include:
• Free treats for pets and people all day at participating Winslow shops;
• Complimentary canine massages by Serenstara Healing Arts from 12 to 2 p.m. at Z Bones Pet Mercantile;
• Crystal Photography will be at Z Bones Pet Mercantile from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., so book a professional Halloween photo of your pet (some costumes provided, or bring your own), and the $25 sitting fee will be donated to PAWS (call 206-565-3162 to reserve your spot);
• At 5 p.m., master carver Ben Philips will transform a giant pumpkin on the Good Egg restaurant patio, a project that will continue daily until Halloween; and, from 5 to 9 p.m., enjoy Wanderlust’s Taco Pop Up at Good Egg.
Bloedel Reserve’s annual Spooky Walk is set to return from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27.
It’s great family fun for all ages, the chance to meet West Sound Wildlife Shelter’s educational ambassadors and explore the Bloedel Reserve by night in 40 to 45 minute walks, which leave every 10 minutes.
The last walk departs at 7:40, ending by 8:30 p.m.
Afraid of the dark? Choose an earlier tour. Like dark and spooky things? Sign up for a later tour time and bring a flashlight.
Kids can wear costumes, and there’s cookies and hot cider. Trails through the woods in the dark with candlelight and all of the shelter’s wonderful ambassadors placed in spooky places.
To give everyone the chance to see all of the animals and be able to hear the handlers, walks are limited to 12 people, including children under 5. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
For price and registration info, visit www.westsound wildlife.org/SpookyWalk/SpookyWalk_REG.html.
Eagle Harbor Book Company will host a spook-tacular Halloween Bash for tweens and teens from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, featuring a fang-tastic author lineup.
Attendees will include Paula Stokes (“Liars, Inc.,” “Hidden Pieces”), Lish McBride (“Hold Me Closer Necromancer,” “Firebug”), K.D. Halbrook (“Smoke & Mirrors”) and Jennifer Longo (“Six Feet Over It,” “Up To This Point”).
Prepare your best and most terrifying costume (there will be a contest), cozy up with a chilling read, and get ready to have the time of your (after)life.
Visit www.eagleharborbooks.com to learn more.
Then, of course, comes the main event.
Winslow Way will again be closed to auto traffic from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31 for the annual Trick-or-Treat Bainbridge event, which will be going on from 4 to 6 p.m.
Wear your costume and bring a bag for treats, handed out by local businesses, and enjoy complimentary cider courtesy of Cook Family Funeral Home.
Walk up the hill to city hall and enjoy music from the Bainbridge High School Band, an upbeat accompaniment to the spooky organ music set to float throughout downtown.
For more information, visit www.bainbridgedown town.org.
Bainbridge Self Storage (9300 Sportsman Club Road NE) will present the inaugural U-HOWL Truck & Treat from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31.
Organizers said, “Come check out or scary U-haul truck and get some awesome U-Howloween treats.”
Finally, get some real food in you along with all that candy at the Halloween Hot Dog-n-Chili for UNICEF fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church (105 Winslow Way West).
Come in costume, just follow the spooky music to the church, for family-friendly way to end your downtown trick-or-treat adventure.
