Beware! There’s still some Halloween fun to be had on Whidbey
— Created October 21, 2020 by Kathy Reed
By Alec Brown
(Editor Kathy Reed contributed to this story)
Despite a worldwide pandemic, folks are still finding a way to have some spooky fun this Halloween. Here’s a few activities from which to choose:
North Whidbey Fire and Rescue: Haunted Drive Through and Trunk or Treat
North Whidbey Fire and Rescue will get the Halloween fun started with its Haunted Drive Through and Trunk or Treat Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Station 25, 2720 Heller Road in Oak Harbor.
Visitors are invited to enjoy a haunted drive through fire bay, there will be fire trucks and emergency vehicles on display and candy from a trunk or treat station. Those attending must practice social distancing and face coverings are recommended. Drivers should enter off Crosby Road and exit onto Heller Rd.
Find more information at nwfr.org.
Oak Harbor Roller Barn Presents: The Spooky Museum
Sign up online to take a tour of this spook-tacular museum version of a haunted house at the Roller Barn, 98 NE Barron Drive, in Oak Harbor. Tours are offered from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights through Halloween. A low-scare matinee will be offered from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday and again Oct. 31.
Tours promise a startling amount of fun, but there will be no human actors, only creatively creepy animatronics. All museum safety protocols will be followed, including mandatory masks and social distancing.
Tickets are $7 in advance, $10 at the door. Reservations are recommended and at-the-door arrivals are not guaranteed a tour. Sign up online at spookymuseum.com. Proceeds benefit the restoration of the Roller Barn.
Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce: Harry Potter Trivia and Drive Through Trick or Treat
The Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce is putting on two Halloween events this month.
Its Harry Potter Trivia night, set for Monday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., is happening on Zoom. You can sign up at oakharborchamber.com and registration is $5 per person. This trivia challenge will be a series of 40 questions, and whoever answers a question correctly receives points. For the last questions, the top three contestants will face off to see who the first-place winner is.
The first-place prize contains a Harry Potter cookbook and a gift certificate to Zanini’s Catering—$25 off a Sunday meal. The second-place prize is a basket full of candies and all manner of sweets. And finally, the third-place winner will receive a Harry Potter blanket.
“We wanted to give the younger generation something to do,” said Vicki Graham, executive director of Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, she noted “there’s not really much for teams to do,” and hopes this event will be an engaging get-away for the holiday.
“And who doesn’t love Harry Potter?” Graham asked.
While the first Chamber event is aimed towards youth, its next event, the Drive Through Trick or Treat, is meant for an even younger audience.
This event will take place Friday, Oct. 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber will be handing out 400 bags of candy and tiny trinkets to visitors. There is a limit of four bags per vehicle. Attendees handing out the bags will be equipped with masks and gloves to keep visitors safe. If you don’t have a mask, the Chamber is happy to provide you with one.
Drivers should enter from Izett Street. After receiving candy, drivers will be directed away from the Chamber and straight into the adjacent forested area (where the Oak Harbor Public Market is normally held) for a delightfully decorated ride.
Graham mentioned this event is being held on Friday so it doesn’t interfere with other businesses who may be putting on Halloween events that Saturday.
“This event is meant to put some smiles on people’s faces,” she said. “We got this.”
Whidbey Island Lions Club: Trunk or Treat
The Whidbey Island Lions Club will be hosting a Trunk or Treat event Saturday, Oct. 31 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Blue Fox Drive-in. Admission is free for all visitors and everyone is encouraged to wear a costume!
The event requires attendees to wear masks. There will be free masks available – while supplies last – for those who don’t have one. Lions Club members and volunteers will be there to make sure social distancing and safety precautions are maintained.
Visitors are not allowed to grab treats—participants will be in charge of distributing them.
Community groups, businesses and families are all welcome to decorate a trunk or booth and join this free, family event.
“This year has been very trying for many families and the Whidbey Island Lions Club wanted to help provide a fun and creative way for families to spend Halloween together,” said Carolyn O’Dell.
“A Halloween ‘Trunk or Treat’ event at the Blue Fox Drive-in seemed like the perfect location to safely provide ample space for families to freely move about to enjoy the Halloween festivities, while being safe at the same time,” she continued. “As Lions, we are always seeking ways to help support our community in service and in working together with other groups and or other businesses, it is amazing what we can all achieve as we support our community together.”
Contact the Whidbey Island Lions Club at 360-679-9468, email them at wilclions@gmail.com, or access their website at e-clubhouse.org/sites/whidbeyisland/.
Clinton Community Hall: Drive-Thru Trick or Treat
Little ghosts and goblins on the south end of the island can check out the Drive-Thru Trick or Treat event at the Clinton Community Hall parking lot from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31.
The hall will be decorated, local businesses will be passing out goody bags and visitors are encouraged to wear costumes to this Halloween happening.
This is a drive through only event; parents and children must remain in their vehicles and those passing out the pre-packaged goody bags will be masked and gloved, as per COVID-19 safety guidelines.
The Hall is located at 6411 Central Avenue. Organizers warn creepy characters will be directing traffic.
For more information, email info@clintoncommunityhall.org or give or call 360-341-3747.
Oak Harbor Main Street Association: No Tricks, Safe Treats
The Oak Harbor Main Street Association is putting on a No Tricks, Safe Treats event Oct. 31 from noon to 6 p.m. in downtown Oak Harbor, right on Pioneer Way.
The event includes trick or treating for children under the age of 14 at any participating business. Costumes are encouraged, while masks and social distancing are required. Merchants will be wearing masks and gloves while handing out candy and everything will take place outdoors. The organization has reviewed all of its safety protocols with Keith Higman, director of Island County Public Health.
“OHMSA would like to maintain some sense of normality by allowing our children the opportunity to not only wear their costumes, but get out and have the experience that we all remember as children,” said OHMSA Dan Evans, board president.
Find more information at oakharbormainstreet.org.
Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association: Halloween Car Parade
The Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association’s annual torchlight parade is being replaced with a Halloween Car Parade this year, to be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
Deck out the cars and the kids and join in the fun. Lineup at the municipal lot at Wilkes and 7th at 4:30 p.m. and the parade will begin its trek down Candy Lane promptly at 5 p.m.
Find more information at coupevillehistoricwaterfront.com.