With plenty of spooky events to appeal to all ages, Issaquah will be the place to be this Halloween weekend. From pumpkin patches to candlelit parties to deadly dancing, there’s something to delight every witch, ghost and vampire that happen into town.
Fox Hollow Farm
Need some last-minute pumpkins to add the right amount of festive to your home? Looking for a non-scary Halloween activity for kids? Fox Hollow Farm covers all of your bases.
The family-owned farm provides not only a plethora of pumpkins to pick from, but also pony rides along Issaquah Creek, a play village for young visitors, a corn bin for kids to play in, a kid-friendly “spooky” forest, a hay maze and a petting zoo with “practically every farm animal you can think of for kids to interact with,” including horses, cows, goats, pigs, chickens and kittens, said employee Susan Gray.
“It’s a family-oriented place where parents can enjoy watching children gaze on all the wonders of the animals,” Gray said.
On Oct. 29 and 30, one carload of up to six people can get into the farm for $50 (a price that includes all activities aside from pony rides and the cost of the pumpkins). Kids are encouraged to come in costume and trick-or-treat throughout the farm (or in the barn depending on weather).
For many Issaquah locals and day-trippers alike, Fox Hollow Farm is a Halloween must. “People make it a tradition. It makes for wonderful memories,” Gray said. “That’s what life is all about.”
Fox Hollow Farm also attracts Hollywood stars. Hip-hop singer Ciara recently visited the Issaquah pumpkin patch with her son, Future, and documented the outing on Instagram. “People” Magazine later picked up the photos, bringing international fame to the local farm.
Fox Hollow Farm is located at 12123 Issaquah-Hobart Road SE, Issaquah, and is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 30.
Candelabra Spectacle
For an older crowd, the Candelabra Spectacle on the evening of Oct. 29 at Blakely Hall in the Issaquah Highlands blends spooky with swanky.
The free adults-only event, which is sponsored by ArtEast, the Issaquah Highlands Council, the Green River College Welding Program and University House, is the closing gala for Blakely Hall’s latest local artist exhibit, “Illuminate,” with paintings from Larry Calkins, Patty Haller and Jim Matthew. In the spirit of the season, the hall will be lit by candelabras that were made by 20 local artists and have been on display in Issaquah businesses.
Christy Garrard, executive director of the Issaquah Highlands Council, said that the candelabras are a great chance for Blakely Hall to bring 3-D art into one of its local artists exhibits, as well as to add an artistic twist to Halloween.
“It’s a fun way to celebrate the Halloween holiday, by incorporating candelabras into a party,” Garrard said. She said that the event organizers are working to fill the gala with an eerie, mysterious atmosphere befitting the holiday. “We’re trying to give it a steampunk vibe … The hope is to have [the hall] illuminated in a way that fits the spirit of the night.”
The evening will include catered hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a chance to meet the artists behind the exhibit, as well as live music with a “jazzy Halloween feel,” according to Garrard. She added that guests are encouraged to come attired in their “Halloween finery.”
The Candelabra Spectacle is open to the general public and begins at 6 p.m. on Oct 29, just in time for nightfall and the appearances of ghouls and goblins. A kid-friendly event from 12-4 p.m. will give families a chance to meet the artists and view the exhibit. Blakely Hall is located at 2550 NE Park Drive, Issaquah.
Halloween Trolley
For a spooky look at Issaquah’s past, the historic Issaquah trolley is offering special off-season rides with a Halloween twist on Oct. 29 and 30.
The family-friendly trolley will take riders through downtown Issaquah as usual, but the history talks will have a Halloween theme, and in the spirit of the holiday, crew members will be in historic costumes.
“We’ll try to put a historic spin on ghost stories,” Issaquah Trolley Museum volunteer Jean Ceran said. She said that one docent will dress up as a logger who was tragically killed in a train wreck around the turn of the century.
Besides seeing docents in costume, guests may have a chance at seeing an actual ghost — the Issaquah Depot Museum itself is said to be haunted.
“The depot supposedly has a ghost, but he isn’t seen very often,” Ceran said. This year marks the first time that the eerie yet educational event will be held.
“We are learning as we go,” Ceran said. “We think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
The Halloween Trolley takes off from the Issaquah Depot Museum, located at 78 First Ave. NE, Issaquah. The trolley will do 15-minute runs between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Oct. 29 and between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Oct. 30. Tickets can be purchased at the window of the depot and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are $5 for those aged 6 and up, and free for anyone under 6 or members of the museum.
Downtown Issaquah Zombie Walk
Perhaps the most well-known Issaquah Halloween tradition, the Downtown Issaquah Association’s free sixth annual Zombie Walk on the afternoon of Oct. 29 will see a congregation of local zombies promenade through Issaquah’s Olde Town before showing off their undead dance moves to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and, new this year, “The Time Warp” from iconic musical “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Downtown Issaquah Association Executive Director Karen Donovan said that the event has grown to between 50 and 70 zombies and at least as many spectators.
“Kids love it, they love learning the ‘Thriller’ dance,” she said. “People like to dress up, and the zombie ‘Thriller’ craze is growing in a lot of towns.”
From 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the historic Shell station, volunteer makeup artists will transform the living into the non-living. A 10-minute makeup session costs $10; to sign up for a session, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-oct-29th-issaquah-zombie-walk-event-makeup-sign-ups-tickets-27884265589. From 2:30 p.m. on, a dance coach from The Studio will be teaching the zombies the “Thriller” and “Time Warp” moves.
At 4:30 p.m., the undead will begin their spine-chilling stroll down Front Street and up East Sunset Way to City Hall, tapping on shop windows along the way. Then at 5 p.m., the dancing will begin on the steps of City Hall, as the zombies take a “jump to the left” and “thrill tonight.” Prizes will be awarded for scariest costume, most creative costume and best dance moves.
After all the dancing dies down, those specters with an appetite for more horror can make their way to a free showing of “Night of the Living Dead” at the Issaquah Train Depot. Those who would rather switch from eating brains to eating burgers can head to an after-party at the Issaquah Brew House, where Rogue Dead Guy drink specials will be $1 off. Dog Box and Fred Hopkins and the Ghouls will provide dead — er, live — tunes.
The zombies will meet at the historic Shell Station, 232 Front St. N. Free “Thriller” and “Time Warp” dance lessons will be given on Oct. 28 from 7:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Studio, 100 Front St. S.
