One of the best things about living in a small town just a day trip from Seattle or Portland is that there is always something cool to do, especially for seasonal holidays. Historic haunts are famous in our towns, so it makes sense that we’re the place to come for Haunt-tober Happenings. Mystical moments and Halloween fun run the whole month and even spill over into November. So, grab your favorite guy and ghoul and head to our neck of the woods for some spirited good times.
Spooky Times at the Shelburne Hotel
There are few things better than having Haunt-tober Happenings in one of the most haunted hotels in Pacific County. As the oldest continuously operating hotel in Washington, the Shelburne Hotel celebrates its spectacular specters with a series of hair-raising good times every year. Pop-up events are happening all month, including spooky bingo and Halloween-day trick-or-treating. But be sure to catch one of their more mystical moments.
Image Courtesy of Sara Ann Davidson
Find the Hotel’s Four Ghosts
This may be one of the spookiest of all the Haunt-tober Happenings in the Shelburne. Take a self-guided tour to find the four ghosts rumored to haunt the property. Visit with Annie May in the garden under the old “blessed tree” where most of the hotel’s weddings occur. Or try to encounter George near the maintenance closet. We’ve heard he’s harmless but can be a little grumpy. A dedicated worker, George seems to like to be needed even in the afterlife. He sticks around to keep an eye on the maintenance of the hotel.
Make an Entry in the Ghost Diary
If you’re lucky enough to meet one of Shelburne’s friendly four, document your experience in the ghost diary. The front desk keeps a logbook where guests can record their ghostly encounters. You might be surprised to see how many entries already exist!
Join a Victorian Séance
Wear your best cocktail attire and grab a seat at a Victorian séance in the historic Shelburne pub. A fanciful lark, these evenings use traditional tools for entertainment-based, 18+ fun. Experience the history of Spiritualism by candlelight. There are two chances to séance, and reservations are necessary for both, so be sure to secure your place at the table.
Image Courtesy of Sara Ann Davidson
It’s All in the Cards
What is a Haunt-tober Happening without a tarot reading? Shelburne is dealing up two nights of tarot in its spooktacular pub. Get a peek into your future with resident witch Sara Ann or Suzy Olsen of Chariot Spirit + Home. Reservations are required!
Image Courtesy of Sara Ann Davidson
Haunted Trolly Rides
If you’re a fan of the supernatural or a history buff, you’ll want to join one of these trolley Haunt-tober Happenings. The Haunted Trolley Tour takes guests to some of the most paranormal spots in Long Beach. You’ll hear chilling tales about phantoms and phenomena that lurk in our history. Get an inside scoop on local hauntings and the Graveyard of the Pacific. Narrated by a costumed character, you’ll enjoy spirited stories from our coastline. But beware of hitchhiking ghosts!
Hotel of Horrors Fireside Inn
Bring the clan for frightful family fun at the first annual Hotel of Horrors at the Fireside Inn on Halloween. Walk through haunted rooms, decorate spooky cookies, enjoy face painting, and pose for a photo opp. In true fireside fashion, there will be a firepit complete with S’mores.
As an advance bonus, children can enter a coloring contest to win yummy treats from Scoopers, the Pie Lady, and more. Submissions are being taken early, and prizes will be awarded on Halloween night.
Frightfully Fun Music Festival
Visit the historic Raymond Theatre and enjoy a night of live music at the Willapa Harbor Festival of Music. Four bands will take to the stage to shake your bones during a whole night of grooving. Get your tickets in advance and don’t forget your dancing shoes.
Black Lake Witches Paddle
If you’re looking for witchy Haunt-tober Happenings, do we have something special for you. The Black Lake Witches Paddle returns for another enchanting afternoon. The event is open to all witches, warlocks, and wizards, so leave your broom home and grab your paddleboard, kayak, canoe, or boat. In addition to the floating fun, take in the poker run, raffle, games, and silent auction. Don’t forget to dress in your finest cloaks, frocks, and pointy hats; prizes for the best dressed are up for grabs. Need a little extra help with your haberdashery? Visit Kraken Kafe to make your own witch’s hat the day before the paddle.
Artist Don Nisbett
All that paddling will work up an appetite. Coastal Class Crepes will be dishing out world-class crepes for all the creepy creatures. Be sure to join their Witches Rose Hunt leading up to the event. They’ve tucked seven wickedly ghoulish roses into corners around town. Find one and turn it in at the Witches Paddle for a special treat.
Moonshining at the Pitchwood
The annual Moonshiner’s Ball is shining again at the Pitchwood Alehouse. Enjoy a haunted bar experience on their outdoor patio. With six categories in the costume contest and a DJ spinning spine-shaking tunes all night, it is macabre memory-making at its finest.
Sip n Paint at Salt Hotel & Pub
One of the favorite Haunt-tober Happenings is returning at Salt Hotel & Pub. Sip n Paint is back with local artist Brian of The Color Wheels. Grab a brush and try your hand at the Fall Leaves + Puddles class, where you can capture the magic of autumn on our rain-soaked streets. The experience includes all painting materials plus a glass of wine or beer. Spots book up early, so be sure to register in advance.
Ilwaco Lake Street Halloween Block Party
What’s better than a block party on Halloween? Downtown Ilwaco will be hosting its annual Halloween Block Party on Halloween night. Live music from the North Coast Blue Band will get you primed for a group dance. Practice your best Thriller or Footloose performance to join in the fun.
Ghosts of Ilwaco
With so many hometown hauntings, it stands to reason that one of our towns celebrates its spirits with a procession. The first annual Ghosts of Ilwaco will join the Haunt-tober Happenings the first weekend in November. A ghostly parade will float on the waterfront of the Port of Ilwaco, followed by ghost stories at the Salt Hotel & Pub. Close off the night with a ghost hunt. Guest speaker includes Ira Kitmacher, author of Haunted Graveyard of the Pacific and Spirits Along the Columbia River.
Join us for any one of our Haunt-tober Happenings and prepare to be bewitched. With a ghostly host of fun unfolding throughout the season, you can visit more than once and have a new mystical adventure every time you’re here!
By: Danelle Dodds
Danelle is an international traveler, road tripper, writer, and artist. She firmly believes in testing the limits of word count, mileage, and AYCE sushi.