Your Gorge Guide to Halloween 2021
Columbia Community Connection is Thrilled to present the 2021 Halloween Event Roundup!
Think of it as a One Stop Trick or Treat for All Things Halloween, whether you’re a Ghost, Ghoul, or Goblin.
The Calendar says Sunday, October 31 is the traditional time for the Eve of All Hallows, but it seems our fascination with this mysterious phenomena has expanded into a seasonal event that includes all ages and cultures.
Check out this Gorge Guide to Halloween often to find the best frights, treats, tricks, and where to wear your costume and show off your talents that could earn you Best Horror-able Mention or scroll to the end of this story to find out where you can engage in the more spiritual side of this holiday with your community.
Trick-or Treat The Gorge
The Dalles Downtown Trick or Treat Oct. 29
The Dalles Main Street announced that they were bringing back their popular Downtown Trick or Treat event this year on October 29th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
Trick or Treaters should look for the orange pumpkin sign on the windows to spot participating businesses. The Dalles Lions club will act as crossing guards at the event and side streets between 2nd and 3rd st downtown (excepting those with traffic lights) will be closed during the event.
Businesses and trick or treaters have been asked to follow covid-19 guidelines such as wearing gloves when handing out candy, social distancing, and wearing masks to prevent the spread of covid-19.
“We want to give a big thank you to the businesses that are participating this year and encourage the community to come out and support them. We look forward to seeing you there,” said The Dalles Main Street.
Big Jim's Trick-or-Treat
Kids 12 and under can Trick or Treat at Big Jim’s in The Dalles on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. When was the last time you could Trick or Treat Before Noon? Limit 1 treat per kiddo.
Halloween Trunk or Treat at HR Valley Christian
Join Hood River Valley Christian Church (975 Indian Creek Rd) on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 4-6 p.m. for Trunk or Treating outside in the parking lot, promising Goodies for Everyone! Sun, Oct 31, 4 – 6 p.m.
Trick or Treat at Cascade Locks Museum
Stop by the Cascade Locks Museum on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. - admission is free for Costumed Trick or Treaters of all ages! [Candy will be provided, but must be consumed outside.] Don’t Delay: the museum closes for the year on Nov. 1, reopening March 2022.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin Patch Time at Howards Haven
Bring the family for a Pumpkin Patch event at Howards Haven Animal Sanctuary in Lyle, Wash., on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 23-24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids get a free pumpkin, access to a painting station, plus there’s Family Fun with a Pallet Maze, Vintage Tractor Rides, and close up interaction with the animals. For More info click here.
Backwalters Farm Pumpkin Patch
Heading out to Maupin? Stop by Backwalters Farm for Family Fun at the U-Pick Pumpkin Patch. But Hurry In, they’re open until Oct. 24 (or until sold out). Sat. and Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit www.backwaltersfarm.com for more information.
Go on a Haunted Hike
‘Night Harvest’ Halloween Event in Mosier
Night Harvest: The Haunting of 1111 Root Road, sounds like it could be the latest Horror Movie Release, but it’s really Root Orchards’ Outdoor Haunted Trail designed for Scary Halloween Fun. The Witching Hour is 7-9:30 p.m. on Oct. 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31. Recommended for ages 13+. For tickets and more information visit www.facebook.com/rootorchard
Learn More about Bugs, Bats and More!
Bat Webinar just in Time for Halloween
Get the 411 and Scientific Details about Bats - crucial members of our Ecosystems and of course Storied Players in the Legends of Dracula and Every Haunted House that’s Ever Been Created. The Friends of the Columbia Gorge present an Online Webinar hosted by Washington Dept. Fish and Wildlife Biologist Carly Wickham and Friends’ Land Trust Coordinator Frances Fischer on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 6 p.m. Who knows, you might learn how to Attract Bats to your Home in time for Halloween Fun. Register here: https://gorgefriends.org/news-events/events/2021-10-27/gorgeous-wildlife-webinar-series--bats.html
Bugs, Bats, Halloween Costume Day at Discovery Center
Celebrate Halloween with a day dedicated to creepy crawly bugs and bats on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles. This event is geared toward kids and is free for all kids who arrive in costume.
Entomologist Maggie Freeman will be providing lots of fun educational materials including a bug collection of large native moths, butterflies, beetles, cicadas, bumble bees, grasshoppers, dragonflies and LIVE Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Bug scavenger hunts will also be going on throughout the museum. No RSVP or tickets are required.This event is indoors and masks will be required per the Oregon Health Authority. [Note: Adults and kids without costumes pay regular museum admission.]
Costume Parties and Music
‘Gamblers’ Halloween Extravaganza at The Ruins
It’s a Halloween Costume Party at The Ruins in Hood River with the Chicken $#it Gamblers on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 7-10 p.m. Organizers say “Costumes are Required,” as well as Proof of Vaccination for entry. Advance tickets at www.tickettomato.com/event/7279
Halloween Karaoke at Stevenson Eagles
It’s a Halloween Karaoke Party at the Stevenson Eagles Lodge (Eagles Aerie 1744) on Saturday, Oct. 30. Organizers say “Come sing a song that was inspired by your costume, or wear the costume that was inspired by a song.” Members and guests only.
Bring The HEAT Fundraiser Party at Bingen Theater
How about a Funky Halloween Concert and HVAC Fundraiser Party All-In-One? The Funkship Columbia Band invites you to its Decades Long Tradition of bringing the Funk to “shake off the cadaverous chill,” on Saturday, October 30, from 8-11 p.m. at the Bingen Theater. Organizers say fundraising efforts are underway to replace the broken down HVAC system, so the Dance Party, complete with a Video and Light Show from LightWave, should heat up the dance floor for “Maximal Multi-Sensory Funkiness.” Proof of Vax required for entry. Tickets available at: The Bingen Theater and at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5279445
Halloween Talent Show at Route 30
Route 30 Bottles and Brew in The Dalles announces a Brand New event for Halloween, geared for First Time Performers with Unique Talents. Call the venue at 541-993-3155 to sign up for the Halloween Talent Show on Saturday, Oct. 30. The fun starts at 7 p.m. and there will be trophies and prizes for the People’s Choice Award.
Costume Party with Rock Doctors
The Dalles Eagles brings back The Rock Doctors to the Stage on Saturday, Oct. 30, starting at 8 p.m. Promising a Ghoulish Halloween Good Time, the Rock Doctors specialize in Rock and Roll, Country and Blues.
Hell-oween Party at River City
River City Saloon presents Hell-oween with Vitamin D hip hop tribute band on Saturday, Oct. 30, starting at 9 p.m. $20 Cover Charge for this 100-person capacity event. 21 and over only.
Festival of Light Oct. 31
Covenant Hood River Church (455 Frankton Rd) hosts a Festival of Light on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 5-8 p.m. Featuring Laser Tag, Inflatables, Music, Hot Cider, Face Painting and more, organizers say a fun time will be had by the entire family.
Thunder Island Spooktacular 2021
Heading to Cascade Locks? It’s free admission to Thunder Island’s Two-Day Spooktacular on Saturday, Oct. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 31, both 5-9 p.m. Activities include a Haunted Maze and Goodie Bags. Kid-Friendly Event.
Journey to the Sacred this Fall Season
Samhain Cacao Circle with Freedom Ciavarello
Samhain is a high holiday in the earth rhythm calendar to celebrate the time of year where the energetic veil is thinnest and connection to our ancestors is deepest. Cacao is a medicine for the heart and she wants to be felt! Come let her rouse something from deep within you and re awaken place and purpose.
Facilitator Freedom Ciavarello invites you to share your medicine, be seen/heard for what you bring to the world and share in some creative cacao ritual. We will share Cacao in sacred ceremony, do some intuitive movement and a meditation. Together, we will finish our time with a channeled mantra for you to take home and have space for connection together.
Attendees will gather at the Moon Mountain Studio at 11 a.m. for a 90 minute experience.
Tickets are 33.00 individually or 2 for 55.00 (bring a friend or two!)
Reserve your space here: bit.ly/moonmountaincacao
Celebrate Día de los Muertos
Community Día de los Muertos Ofrenda (Day of the Dead Altar)
Columbia Center for the Arts is honoring Day of the Dead this year by offering our Theatre space (November 2nd-6th) for an altar (Ofrenda) as a way to remember family members and friends who are no longer with us. As well as, honoring the grief and loss our community is experiencing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Family members can honor their deceased with Ofrendas, or offerings, which may consist of photographs, bread, other foods, flowers, toys, and other symbolic offerings. Altars may contain all hand-made items or ones that have been purchased. Traditional offerings include orange marigolds, painted skulls, flickering candles (battery tea lights please), baked goods, salt, colorful paper cutouts, and photographs of family and friends who have passed. In true CCA creative fashion, we encourage community members to be creative and bring items that hold meaning to who they are honoring.
The celebration is traditionally held on November 1 (All Saints’ Day, which celebrates children who have died) and November 2 (All Souls’ Day, which celebrates adults). Ofrendas which can consist of several levels, depending on space – are a place of gathering and are traditionally erected in homes, cemeteries or community spaces, like Columbia Center for the Arts. A component of the celebration is the telling of stories to honor the history and life of the person(s) you are honoring.
The celebration includes the erection of a community Ofrenda at Columbia Center for the Arts, and a screening of The History Museum of Hood River County’s 11th production Cemetery Tales (buy tickets here).
Arts in Education of the Gorge will be providing a visual art experience to pay tribute to people that someone wants to honor, it will be an aluminum embossing self-guided activity. The Ofrenda will be open to the public to honor their loved ones who have passed and grieve the impacts of the pandemic. CCA will install the Ofrenda on November 2 and leave it open for public offerings through November 6.
This event is FREE for all who attend.
To have your event added to CCCNews Gorge Guide to Halloween 2021 email news@columbiacommunityconnection.com.
