UNION - Halloween in the Pacific Northwest has a very unique history. It goes back to harvest customs and celebrations brought along by pioneer communities during the 1800s as they immigrated to America from all the corners of the world.
There are very few accounts of Halloween in colonial American history, possibly because of the strict Protestant religious beliefs found in the original colonies. However, as one moves south and west across the historic United States, there are various accounts of Halloween celebrations mixing with Native American harvest celebrations.
During the mid-1800s, millions of Irish immigrants fleeing the potato famine brought with them Celtic beliefs. That helped shape Halloween into a uniquely American celebration, as it blended with other immigrant community beliefs such as the Haitians' lore around black cats.
Scottish immigrants brought with them fireworks as part of the festivities of the "new year," which for them was the end of summer marked by the harvest. The Celtic tradition of Halloween (The Gaelic Samhain pronounced "sow-in" literally means "summer's end") was celebrated as New Year's Eve.
The English observation of Guy Fawkes Day on Nov. 5, also called Mischief Night there, had become intertwined with Halloween as the tricks done to neighbors the night before Halloween, Oct. 30. Most of these pranks and mischief — such as the smashing of a glass bottle to scare neighbors into believing someone had broken their window — were said to be the work of ghosts and goblins.
The most famous American mischievous night prank was the broadcasting of the 1938 "The War of the Worlds" by Orson Welles on Oct. 30, leading people to believe it was a real news cast of a Martian invasion.
At the close of the 1800s, the United States had developed a variety of regional Halloween customs, from barn dances and fireworks in the New England states to the tradition of having a "dumb supper." In Louisiana, Oct. 31 is the time to cook a midnight dumb supper (a meal eaten without speaking) and watch for a ghost to join the table.
Historians at the University of Washington point out that during the 1910s, Halloween cards of the Northwest frequently carried a romantic message along with (or in place of) one tied to black cats and witches. Halloween pranks had become a huge problem across the country during the 1920s and 1930s, but especially so in Oregon and Washington. It's the naming and popularizing of these pranks that is the Northwest's contribution to the American tradition of Halloween: Northwesterners gave the world the idea of "trick-or-treat."
The earliest known print of the words "Trick or Treat" did not occur until 1934. A Portland, Ore., newspaper ran an article about how anarchist Halloween pranks keep local police officers on their toes. Afterward, there were sporadic instances of the phrase "Trick or Treat" used in the media during the 1930s, which eventually made its way onto Halloween cards — and the rest is history. (Old cards from the 1930s Northwest with "trick-or-treat" on them are very valuable collector's items.)
As with many uniquely American celebrations, the exact date of Oct. 31 is not a coincidence and corresponds to the time of year when the sun is positioned in the astrological sign of Scorpio, known as a cross-quarter day. This is one of the astrologically significant four points of the year that come between the equinoxes and the solstices (the exact day shifts as do the moon cycles, which all have Pagan Halloween lore around omens for the coming "year").
Halloween in north Mason County has its own customs. Families from across northern Washington have a tradition of traveling to Union to Hunter Farms to pick out the perfect pumpkin for carving Jack-o-Lanterns.
Washington being famous for apples has also led to many of the Halloween games associated with the fruit, like bobbing for apples, to be part of Halloween parties. Apples are a central part of Pagan ritual celebration because when an apple is cut through its equator, both halves will reveal a near-perfect pentagram shape at the core, with each point on the star containing a seed.
Because of the rural nature of the area, a number of Mason County communities offer a convenient single location to bring kids to go trick-or-treating, such as the Theler Center in Belfair, the Robin Hood Haunted Village and Trunk-or-Treat at the Alderbrook Country Store in Union.
The tradition of community Halloween celebrations was actually started as a way to curb the "trick" aspect of Halloween in the Northwest.
Union Pumpkin Fest
If you can't wait for Halloween to be over so you can get going on your Christmas decorating, then be sure to check out Cameo Boutique and Wine Shop's 28th annual Holiday Open House Saturday and Sunday on Halloween weekend.
Cameo Boutique will be doing free wine tasting every weekend. Its "Bin 106" wine shop specializes in wines from the Pacific Northwest and from around the world. There is a special guest appearance from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, when local author Hal Burton will be on hand to sign his latest book, "The Cronus Cypher."
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, photographer George Stenberg will be showing his award-winning work. The boutique is located on State Route 106 just down the road from Alderbrook Resort and across from the Robin Hood Restaurant and Pub. Visit www.cameoboutique.com for more information.
More than two dozen local dancers have been practicing for months to perform Michael Jackson's "Thriller" dance routine as part of the "Thrill the World" dance on Halloween weekend (www.ThrilltheWorld.com). This is part of a global effort to try and break the world record for the most zombies simultaneously dancing to the song.
"Zombies" will be showing up at multiple locations throughout Union during Halloween weekend, such as the Robin Haunted Village. For more information, tune to ROXY 94.5 FM on Halloween or call the Shelton Dance Center at (360) 426-7681 to get involved and join the fun. If you can't dance, you can help with makeup, costumes and logistics.
The annual Pumpkin Catapult Competition between high schools from several counties will take place at the Hunter Farms Pumpkin Patch on Saturday, Oct. 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (1921 E State Route 106, Union; (360) 898-2222).
New this year is the Olympic Catapult League that is open to all comers, with cash prize pool and other prizes provided by Lucky Dog Casino. The casino and 94.5 ROXY are hosting a stage for the event, complete with music and a guest emcee. As of press time, seven catapults are competing, with more expected. Download a flyer at www.945ROXY.com or www.VisitUnion.com with the full schedule and an entry form to enter your own siege engine and join in the battle. The catapult contest is free to watch.
Robin Hood Restaurant & Pub will host a Mischief Night celebration on Oct. 30. Join the "Monster Mash" adult costume party starting at 9 p.m. to compete for cash and other prizes for best costumes. The party is a lively affair with multiple bars, patio and indoor seating, music and even a bonfire out back. The top prize for the best costume is $100. There is no cover to attend this year but partygoers must be 21 years old.
"We are moving the tables out of the pub and dancing the night away. We are using the patio for overflow, so dress warmly," said Justin Stang of Sideways Reign who is the party's guest emcee. "Look for Chef Holbein's late night snacks. Enjoy drink specials, fire pits, raffle prizes, crazy costumes and a great time. Don't miss out!"
The following local Halloween events are all free to the public unless otherwise noted.
Every year, the Mary E Theler Community Center in Belfair hosts a wonderful and safe Halloween event for children under 12 (and their families). From 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, families are invited to experience "Thelerland" on Halloween.
Thelerland will be hosted by "the King and Queen of Thelerland and their subjects including silly wizards, witches, the ‘Always Elegance' Princess photographer, the doubloon dribbling pirate and his wench, the Old Bat and her Hat, and the Boys & Girls Club Face Painting Force," according to the center's news release.
Thelerland is sponsored by Harrison Medical Center, Dr. Gary Studerus and Olympia Federal Bank; the sponsors will give away gifts and good, healthy snacks for healthy bodies and teeth. The Theler Center is located at 22871 NE State Route 3 in Belfair and can be reached at (360) 275-4898.
Similar annual trick-or-treat type events for kids are happening at Hood Canal School in the Hoodsport/Union area and at Belfair Elementary School on Friday, Oct. 29.
The Hood Canal Kiwanis Club helps organize the Hood Canal School fall celebration with games and fun for the kids. The festival, called Halloween Happening at Hood Canal School, is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and includes carnival, games, a haunted house, photos, and snacks for sale. A food bank donation or a $1 donation per child at the door is strongly encouraged. The school is located at the corner of state routes 101 and 106; the address is 111 N. State Route 106, Shelton.
The PTA of Belfair Elementary School delivers an annual Fall Festival 5 to 8 p.m. on the Friday of Halloween weekend. The festivities include "carnival style games, bouncy houses, a cake walk, face painting, book fair and much, much more," according to a news release.
There will be plenty of trick-or-treat opportunities in Union, at the Robin Hood Haunted Village and annual Trunk-or-Treat, both part of Union Pumpkin Fest.
"We're calling all the little goblins and ghosts and reminding their parents to visit Union Halloween day from noon to 5 p.m. at the Robin Hood Village for trick-or-treating. Each of our historic cottages will be decorated by a local business and ready for kids to visit," said Ned Kjeldgaard, proprietor of Robin Hood Village.
The Robin Hood "Haunted" Village is located on State Route 106 in Union, just down the road from Hunter Farms Pumpkin Patch. The Kids' Trick-or-Treat and 94.5 ROXY live remote broadcast takes place between 1 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31. The Union Tourism Association will once again host a children's costume contest there — check in between 1 and 2 p.m; the contest is at 3 p.m. and will have local celebrity judges. Go to www.VisitUnion.com for directions and more information.
The New Community Church of Union (NCCU) is organizing a "Trunk or Treat" 4 to 7 p.m. Halloween Sunday. Decorate your car's trunk, or bring the kids in costume to get candy. The event takes place in the parking lot of Alderbrook Country Store, 1031 E. McReavy Road, and the church's parking lot across the street.
"Each year the event has just gotten bigger and bigger, the pickup truck bed and trunk decorations are fun to experience," said Mike Sheetz, owner of Alderbrook Country Store and a member of NCCU.
For adults or those hardy souls looking for more than candy, the Belfair Truck & Auto Wrecking off State Route 3 will be the place to go on Halloween, or any other weekend leading up to it. For the last few years, the site has become "haunted" during October for the popular Scrap Yard Massacre. Dozens of volunteer actors are used to create the scenarios, and the wrecking yard owner, Parris Sheppard, goes all out to get realistic props.
The Scrap Yard Massacre is open from 7:30 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays as well as on Halloween. Cost is $15 and those who bring in a nonperishable food donation for local families receive $2 off admission. Go to www.scrapyardmassacre.com for more details.
Need Help? Call us at 1-877-304-7764.
Monday-Friday: 5am-6pm / Saturday: 5am-8pm / Sunday: 4am-11am