Arts & Entertainment Community

Candy, costumes, fun runs/bikes on tap for Halloween

Posted on October 28th, 2021 By: Gig Harbor Now Staff

The clouds are expected to part and winds subside for a starry, crescent-moon-lit Halloween weekend. If only they would take COVID-19 with them.

Several Halloween events are on tap, though some have been modified or even canceled by the pandemic. The Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance’s Trick or Treat in the Harbor on Sunday that typically draws more than 2,000 people is canceled this year.

The event attracts mostly families with young children unable to be vaccinated. Bringing together a group of this size poses a risk, and is not reflective of the waterfront alliance’s commitment to caring for the health and safety of the community, staff and volunteers, it said.

The fourth-annual MacKid Trunk-or-Treat event scheduled for Saturday at Gig Harbor High School’s lower parking lot is also a no-go. Six hundred families registered for tickets. Typically 50 local businesses participate, filling their trunks with goodies. At least 20 were needed to cover costs. Only eight signed up.

But there are options.

Rattle Dem Bones bike ride, costume contest returns

On Sunday, the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation will present Rattle Dem Bones Halloween Group Bike Ride and Costume Contest at the Kimball park-and-ride for cyclists of all ages, abilities and skill levels. There will be a staggered-start bike ride, followed by an outdoor party at the finish line with music and prizes for best costumes.

Tigger participated in the Rattle Dem Bones Bike Ride and Costume Contest in 2019. The event was canceled last year. Photos courtesy of Paige Wells/Hushed Revelry Photography

Casual riders can enjoy a cruise along Gig Harbor’s family-friendly Cushman Trail. Those up for a challenge will not be disappointed by Monster Hills (36 miles) and Son of Monster (22 miles) loops, which will take them through downtown Gig Harbor and into rural Pierce and Kitsap counties.

Challenge rides start at 8 a.m., the casual ride at 9 a.m. and the party back at the park-and-ride at noon. Registration online at gghf.info/RDB2021 by noon Friday.

Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes in several categories, including best use of the bike as part of the costume. The finish-line celebration will feature live music by local favorite Sweet Mary.

All proceeds benefit the Community Recreation Fund, which helps make participation in sport and recreation programs possible for all kids. Day-of-event volunteers are also needed – and there will be a prize again this year for best volunteer costume.

For more details, visit https://gigharborfoundation.org/rattle-dem-bones/about.

Uptown hosting drive-through trick-or-treating

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, an 800-pound pumpkin will be carved by professional carver Russ Leno at the pavilion. Then on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the IMAX parking lot, Kiwanis and Uptown will hold a Spooktacular Halloween drive-thru trick-or-treating event.

Dress the kids up and pile in the car for a safe trick-or-treating experience. For extra spooky fun, enter them in the virtual costume contest after they pick up their treats. For more information, visit UptownGigHarbor.com.

Chapel Hill offering candy door dash

Chapel Hill Church will host its second annual Candy Door Dash Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Kids can go door-to-door around the perimeter of the church building for treats and to enjoy fun, interactive games. Wear fun (not scary) costumes. Bring a can of food and Chapel Hill will deliver it to the FISH Food Bank.

Costumed kids participate in last year’s Chapel Hill Candy Door Dash. Photo courtesy of Chapel Hill Church

Everyone is asked to wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing to ensure a safe experience. The church is at 7700 Skansie Avenue. Enter from Skansie, not Rosedale Street, and follow signs for parking. Visit https://www.chapelhillpc.org/candy for more information.

Dog rescue group sponsoring Howl-oween 5K Run

Wet Noses Foster Paws is sponsoring its first Howl-oween 5K Walk/Run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday on Cushman Trail. The event benefits the Gig Harbor nonprofit’s dog rescue. The run will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the walk at 9:30 a.m. The out-and-back route starts on 14th Avenue NW (Reid Road).

A contest will be held for best pup costume. Humans are also encouraged to dress up. The registration cost is $45 for adults through Thursday and $50 on race day. Kids 12 and under are $20 and $25, respectively, and pups cost $10. After the race, the organization will open its dog park to registered pups to play inside the daycare facility at 3028 14th Avenue NW.

Wet Noses Foster Paws is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, assisting with rehoming and finding forever homes for abandoned and mistreated pups. For more information, visit www.wetnosesfosterpaws.org.

Harbor Life Church serving up trunk-or-treat event

Harbor Life Church will host a trunk-or-treat event Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to lots of candy, there will be a game truck, carnival games, an inflatable slide, photo booth, music, cake walk and carmel apples. The church is at 4417 56th St.

Regarding neighborhood trick-or-treating, the nation’s top health officials say go for it.

“I would say, ‘Put on those costumes, stay outside and enjoy your trick-or-treating,’ ” said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. “… If you are spread out doing your trick-or-treating, that should be very safe for your children.”

Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious-disease expert, also encouraged Halloween activities. “Particularly if you’re vaccinated, you can get out there. You’re outdoors for the most part,” he said. “I mean, this is a time that children love.”