Halloween celebrations kick off this weekend with pumpkin carving contests, craft fairs, dances and corn mazes.
As Oct. 31 approaches, children will have opportunities to dress for the occasion and be rewarded in various costume contests while picking up a bounty of candy at organized trick-or-treat events.
Following is a list of some of the events in Clallam and Jefferson counties:
Today
* Forks — Forks Teen Center Haunted House, 87 Sportsman Road, will be open from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and promises to be very scary. The haunted house will be open Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
* Carlsborg — The Pumpkin Patch, at the corner of Kitchen Dick Road and U.S. Highway 101, offers a daily pumpkin picking patch, a small petting zoo, apple cider, corn and straw mazes and kettle corn from 10 a.m. to dusk.
Today, Saturday and Halloween, The Pumpkin Patch is open until 9 p.m.
The cost to go through the corn maze is $4 for children younger than 15 and $6 for those older. People who complete all six stations of the maze are given back $1.
The fee for the straw maze is $2 for children.
* Port Angeles — Queen of Angels Catholic School, 1007 S. Oak St., hosts a carnival from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The annual carnival offers young children through middle school-age activities such as balloon creations, face painting, pumpkin carving displays and cake walks.
Admission is free and game tickets are 3 for $1.
* Brinnon — The Brinnon Booster Club Kids Halloween Party featuring a pumpkin carving contest and refreshments will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
To be eligible for the contest, children need to bring their pre-carved pumpkin to the booster club for judging.
Saturday
* Port Townsend — A Halloween pumpkin carving party will be held at the Port Townsend Library from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
People need to bring their own pumpkins, candles and tools for carving. Arrive in costume and participate in a drawing for a giant pumpkin.
Apple juice and popcorn will be served.
* Sequim — The Sequim Prairie Grange Pumpkin Party begins at 4 p.m. at the grange, 290 Macleay Road.
Junior Grange members will help children select a pumpkin to carve and decorate.
Participants can have their faces painted and prizes will be awarded for pumpkin carving.
Refreshments including sugar cookies and hot apple cider will be served.
There is no charge for the party.
The grange country fair will follow at 6 p.m.
Dinner will be available for a nominal fee.
* Port Angeles — The Port Angeles CrabHouse Restaurant Halloween Party for adults will feature a disc jockey and dancing.
The public event will be from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. in the upstairs ballroom, 221 N. Lincoln St.
There is a $5 cover charge.
People dressed in costumes can compete for a $100 prize.
The Port Angeles Downtown Association/Main Street Pumpkin Contest will feature decorated pumpkins for judging in The Landing mall, 115 E. Railroad Ave. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More than 200 pumpkins were given to children for carving and decorating. They will be judged by age and category including funniest, scariest, best accessorized and best face painting.
* Brinnon — The Brinnon Parent-Teacher Organization Fall Festival will be at the school, 46 School House Road, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Organizers encourage children to wear costumes and say a wide array of games and activities will be available.
The event is open to the public and admission is free.
Tickets for some games range in price from 10 cents to 25 cents.
Thursday, Oct. 31:
* Port Angeles — The Port Angeles Downtown Association trick-or-treat event will be from 2 p.m. until stores close.
Children and parents should look for signs indicating a business is participating.
Free photos will be taken at the downtown breezeway, 125 W. First St., between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Trick-or-treaters are also invited to The Landing mall for a costume contest from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Prizes and treats will be available.
The Horror Hollow Haunted Graveyard and Maze will be held from dusk until midnight.
The free event will occur at 816 S. Cedar St. and is hosted by Amy and Joel Frick, Jennifer Henry, Jeff Shipman and Michael and Rachel Holm.
Sponsors say it will be the “most ominous necropolis in Port Angeles.”
No flashlights or glow sticks are allowed in the maze.
* Sequim — Sequim Town Partners is sponsoring downtown trick-or-treating between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Children are encouraged to wear costumes and collect candy from participating merchants, who will place a pumpkin notification in their window.
* Forks — The Kids’ Halloween Party will feature crafts, games, goodie bags and other activities.
The event will be at Sunshine & Rainbows Child Development Center, 945 S. Forks Ave., between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Admission is free; children must be accompanied by an adult.
* Joyce — The Crescent Booster Club will sponsor a Halloween carnival featuring games, activities, a haunted house and other events.
The carnival will be at Crescent School, 50350 Highway 112, between 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Admission to the carnival is free and tickets are 10 for $1, with each booth varying in ticket price.
* Port Townsend — The Main Street Program will sponsor the eighth annual downtown trick-or-treat.
The event is open to preschool through sixth-graders; children must be accompanied by a parent.
“Trick-or-treat here” signs will be posted at participating downtown merchants.
Costumed event-goers should gather at Bank of America, located at the intersection of Water and Adams streets, at 3:45 p.m.
The parade begins at 4 p.m. followed by the downtown trick-or-treat from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Bring a flashlight.
Water Street will be closed between Adams and Polk streets for the event.
A new feature will be a haunted jail at the Jefferson County Museum.
People are encouraged to stop by the jail for treats and “spooky fun” from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission is free.
Many communities will also have other celebrations sponsored by local churches and other organizations.