Thrills and Chills in Fa-BOO-lous Edmonds!
Fall is in the air and that means it’s time to grab your best ghoul-friends and head down to Edmonds for Halloween fun with activities taking place through the month.
Annual Scarecrow Festival
Drive around town in early October and you are bound to see some creative displays popping up.
Each year dozens of businesses, organizations, and residents take part in the Edmonds Scarecrow Festival. Sponsored by the Edmonds Historical Museum, this annual event is now in its ninth year.
Spooky, clever, cute, and delightful are just a few ways to describe all the entrants. This year you will see nods to pop culture, traditional ‘crows, and at least one that’s had a few too many.
People travel from all over South Snohomish County to check out the scarecrows that stretch beyond just the downtown core. A map of all entries is available on the website making it easy for you to see them all in person before casting their votes.
Many of our downtown businesses already have their scarecrows proudly on display: Rogue, Comstock Jewelers, Edmonds Bookshop, Kelnero, Mosaic Salon Group, Wilcox Construction, Insurance Services Group, Rick Steves Europe, Coldwell Banker Bain, and so many more!
Last year, Sound Styles even brought their Plaid Hatter scarecrow to life in their window…we wonder what they have up their sleeve this year…
Take time between now and November 1st to stroll the streets and appreciate all the creativity!
Registration is free and is open until October 15th. Make sure to visit the website or stop by the museum between October 16th and November 1st to cast your vote for your favorite entry. To check out the winners from 2018, check out their photo gallery.
Halloween Trick-or-Treat Night
As the sun starts to set, thousands of revelers descend on the downtown core to get their share of tricks and treats. It’s one of the best people watching community events the entire year. Costumed children, pets, and adults fill the streets that are closed to traffic and visit merchants along 5th Avenue and Main Street to fill their bags with treats.
Hosted each year by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, the Halloween Trick or Treat is a beloved free and family-friendly event. It takes place rain or shine from 5:00 to 7:00pm (though the littlest goblins start closer to 4:30pm). Music and dancing take place near the fountain and the costume contest will be at the Windermere building.
A highlight of the evening is the annual flash mob coordinated by Harbor Square Athletic Club. Everyone is invited to participate, too! Drop in rehearsals are taking place through the month or you can watch an instructional video and learn the moves on your own. Participants should plan to gather by the fountain at 5:15pm with the dance scheduled to take place at 5:30pm. More details are located on the EdmondsHalloween.com website.
If you prefer to watch all the costumes stroll by without being in the crowd yourself, a popular option for many is to pull up a chair at several spots on the route and enjoy dinner and a beverage as you people watch. Places along the route include Taki Tiki, Maize and Barley, Las Brisas, Red Twig, MarKet, Thai Cottage, and Chanterelle.
Movies, Haunted Museum, and More!
The Edmonds Theater is showing Young Frankenstein as their Throwback Thursday movie on October 17th at 7:30pm. The movie, starring Gene Wilder and directed by Mel Brooks, is rated PG. Admission is free and seating is first come, first served.
Taking place at the same time as the Edmonds Halloween Trick or Treat on the 31st is the annual Haunted Museum at the Edmonds Historical Museum. Come check out a “friendly haunting” where the museum exhibits “come alive”. There is a $1 suggested donation at the door which goes to support the museum.
On Saturday, November 2nd the second annual Edmonds Day of the Dead festival is taking place at the Masonic Lodge. The free event is family-friendly and runs from 12pm to 4pm. Enjoy traditional folk dancing from Grupo Folklorico Guadalajara, sugar skull decorating, face painting, and the Dojo Togo food truck will be onsite as well.
With so many ways to celebrate the spooky season, you’ll say “Fangs for the memories, Edmonds!” For a complete list of everything happening in Edmonds along with all of our great restaurants, stores, and businesses, make sure to visit http://edmondsdowntown.org/.
By Kelsey Foster, photos by Matt Hulbert