Halloween haunts and happenings in Bothell and Kenmore

Ghosts, ghouls and gremlins will be galavanting through the streets of Kenmore and Bothell in two weeks. But both cities have hauntingly good events for all ages.

By Matt Phelps • October 17, 2012 2:11 pm
Bastyr University student Breanna Vick has a friend help her with makeup as she prepares to take part in Haunted Trails on the school’s campus in Kenmore. Haunted Trails is in its 14th year and just one of the many Halloween events taking place around the city.
Bastyr University student Breanna Vick has a friend help her with makeup as she prepares to take part in Haunted Trails on the school’s campus in Kenmore. Haunted Trails is in its 14th year and just one of the many Halloween events taking place around the city.

Ghosts, ghouls and gremlins will be galavanting through the streets of Kenmore and Bothell in two weeks. But both cities have hauntingly good events for all ages. Here are some of the fun haunts for this year’s Halloween festivities in the Northshore area:

Trick or treat

Kids can enjoy more treats than tricks at the annual Safe Halloween events in Bothell on Oct. 31. The festivities kick off at Country Village from 4-6 p.m. and continue in downtown Bothell from 5-7 p.m. For more information, contact Bothell Parks and Recreation at 425-486-7439 or visit www.countryvillagebothell.com. The downtown event is sponsored by HealthPoint and Lakeshore Clinic.

Kenmore Self Storage Fall Festival

The storage facility will be dressed up for Halloween as participants can take a guided tour through The Haunted Halls, sample the witches brew, have their fortune told, trick or treat and visit with live turtles and other creepy guests.

Donations of pet food for Paws and canned food for Hopelink are encouraged. Costumes are optional for this free event. The Kenmore Self Storage Fall Festival will take place at 8 p.m., Oct. 27 at 18716 68th Ave N.E. For more information, email Christina Parish at kenmore@urbanstorage.com.

Fall Fun Festival

The Kenmore Community Church will host a Fall Fun Festival from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31. The event is free and guests ages 2-12 are encouraged to dress up and take part in games, crafts and a bounce house. The church will also provide treats. The Kenmore Community Church is located at 7504 N.E. Bothell Way in Kenmore. For more information, visit www.kenmorechurch.org.

Haunted Trails

Bastyr University’s annual “Haunted Trails” is returning for another year of spooky fun. Hosted in the forest behind Bastyr University’s Kenmore campus, the event continues this weekend, Oct. 19-20. One of the biggest scarefests in the area includes frightfully enjoyable activities for teenagers and adults, as well as trick-or-treating for children ages 8 and younger. And it’s all for a good cause, as proceeds benefit student study abroad programs.

Festivities begin for ages 8 and younger with The Great Pumpkin’s Trick-or-Treating Adventure from 5-6:45 p.m., followed by the Children’s Carnival from 5:30-9 p.m. Cost is $5 per child.

Then things get scary when the Haunted Trails open from 7-11 p.m. each Friday and Saturday night. Cost is $20 per person.

Tickets are available in advance at HauntedTrails.org or at the door starting at 6:30 p.m. Please note that a limited number of tickets are sold each night. The second weekend of Haunted Trails, October 19-20, is very busy and tickets can sell out as early as 8:45 p.m. For tickets and more information visit www.hauntedtrails.org.

Halloween block party in Kenmore

Cedar Park Northshore Church in Kenmore will be hosting a community Halloween event at the church from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Oct. 31. The event will be free to the public and feature carnival games, candy, raffle drawings, hotdogs, popcorn and hot chocolate. In addition, the Northshore Fire Department will have a fire engine there for the kids to check out. A complimentary ticket for a raffle drawing will be given for any donation of non-perishable food to be given to the church’s food bank. The church is located at 18737 68th Ave. N.E. For more information, contact Amy Bolen at 425-205-0934.

Dog-O-Ween

The City of Kenmore is hosting its annual Dog-O-Ween costume contest. Pet owners are encouraged to dress up their pooches, take a photo and send it in by Oct. 31.

There are three ways to enter: by sending the photo to Kenmore City Hall at  PO Box 82607 Kenmore, WA 98028, via e-mail to events@kenmorewa.gov or drop off the photo at Kenmore City Hall, located at 18120 68th Ave. N.E. in Kenmore, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Limit one photo entry per dog. Winners will be announced by Nov. 5 on the city’s website at www.kenmorewa.gov/events. The number of prizes depends on the quantity of donations.

The city thanks the following sponsors of City of Kenmore community events throughout the year: Grocery Outlet, Puget Sound Energy, Bastyr University, Allied Waste, Peoples Storage, Kenmore Camera, Northshore Utility District, Banner Bank, Snapdoodle Toys, Fazzari Marketing, Kenmore Veterinary, BowWow Fun Towne, Maser’s Grooming and Pet Boutique, Dmarie’s Doggie Boutique, KBCS 91.3 FM and Kenmore Reporter.

For more information, visit www.kenmorewa.gov/events or call 425-398-8900.

Halloween candy buy back

When Halloween is over children often have too much candy. Chan Orthodontics will put its money where a child’s mouth is with a Halloween candy buy back at its Bothell office from 2-6 p.m. on Nov. 7. Receive $1 for each pound of wrapped trick-or-treating candy. A maximum of 10 pounds will be accepted per person. Participants can earn an extra $1 for wearing their Halloween costume. Those who bring two canned food items will also get an additional $1. The orthodontic office will also provide free milk and cookies. All canned goods and candy will be donated to local charitable organizations. Chan Orthodontics is located at 18323 98th Ave. N.E. No. 1. For more information, call 425-485-9332.