A little fright, a little fun and a little local history is what Halloween thrill-seekers will find at the eighth annual Haunted Forest at Forest Park.

The Everett Jaycees event opens Wednesday with more thrills and chills than ever, said Doug Odenborg, acting president of the Everett Jaycees and the co-chairman of this year’s haunted forest.

Odenborg said the Halloween tradition features a local historical story as its main theme.

“We are researching some of the city’s history and exploring the Everett Massacre,” Odenborg said. “We’re probably going to use that for our top story.”

Walking through Forest Park, guests may encounter a few “lost souls” wandering the trails.

“We’re going with the rumor that the spirits of these men have been known to help with the haunt,” Odenborg said. “This is the first year we discovered (the Everett Massacre) and are mixing fact with legend, and adding another dimension to the fright.”

For those who favor traditional Halloween-oriented frights, Odenborg said the Mad Scientist returns to the forest, along with other favorites.

“We have a little bit of everything,” Odenborg said. “There are people jumping out from behind trees and people along the trail in costume.”

This year’s haunted forest, staffed entirely by volunteers, features eight to 10 scenes, some including live characters.

Fear not, little ones: Odenborg said this haunt has a little bit of gore, but it is kept to a minimum.

But beware: Touching is not allowed by monsters or children.

“It’s good for ages 5 years and older,” Odenborg said. “We have been known to tone it down a little bit for the younger children.”

Volunteers are on hard to guide frightened ones through the 20- to 25-minute trail walk, he said.

Odenborg warns that strobe lights are used and that the trail features hills and stairs.

Patrons are asked to dress appropriately. Umbrellas are acceptable, however flashlights are discouraged.

“Once you get into the trails, it’s pretty covered with the trees, but it is still outdoors,” Odenborg said.

The Everett Jaycees use the event to raise money. One-third of last year’s proceeds, $4,000, went to the Greater Everett Community Foundation, and 900 pounds of food was donated to the Volunteers of America.

This year’s event is expected to draw more than 2,500 people during its 10-day run. Odenborg said the Jaycees hope to raise $15,000 and 1,500 pounds of food.

“I think our haunt is unique because it is outdoors in the woods,” Odenborg said. “That alone gives it a special ambience.”

Reporter Tanya Sampson: 425-339-3479 or tsampson@heraldnet.com.

Herald file photo by Justin Best

Eight-year-old Kelby Strohm (in orange) of Snohomish didn’t get too scared by the assorted vampires, werewolves and witches while walking through the Haunted Forest at Forest Park in 2002.

Halloween events/ harvest festival

Snohomish and Island counties

Haunted Forest: The eighth annual haunted forest, 7 to 10 p.m. weeknights, until 11 p.m. weekends, Oct. 20 through 31, $7, $6 with canned food donation. Everett Forest Park, 802 Mukilteo Blvd., Everett; 425-953-4043, www.everettjaycees.org.

Chamber of Horror: Haunted house, 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 21 through 24, 28 through 30, $6. Creaky Cafe with stories, games and treats, 6 to 8 p.m. each night for the younger or more timid set. Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo; 425-290-9500.

Giant pumpkin sculpting: Watch as pumpkin sculptors Russ and Pam Leno sculpt a giant pumpkin, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 24. Biringer Farm, 4625 40th Place NE, Everett; 425-259-0255, www.biringerfarm.com.

Harvest festival: 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 24. Forest Park Seventh Day Adventist Church, 4132 Federal Ave., Everett; 425-252-3438.

Halloween poker ride: The Backcountry Horseman of Washington’s annual fundraiser, similar to high/low games, 10:30 a.m., prizes awarded at 4 p.m., Oct. 30 at Pilchuck Tree Farm. Call for directions, 425-359-9050.

Halloween Big Party Bash: Third annual event with games, mazes, food and live entertainment, 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31. Sultan Elementary School, 501 Date Ave., Sultan; 360-799-1263.

Trick-or-Treat: Local business owners in downtown Edmonds provide a pedestrian safe environment for trick-or-treaters from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31. Local streets will be closed to automobile traffic. Participating merchants handing out treats include businesses on Main Street, in Old Mill Town and along Fifth Avenue South; 425-776-6711.

Trunk-or-Treat: More than 35 car trunks will be decorated for children to trick-or-treat at, inflatables, magic show, face painting and balloon animals, 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. Mill Creek City Hall parking lot, 15728 Mill Creek Blvd., Mill Creek; 425-745-1891.

Seattle and beyond

Fright Fest: Wild Waves and Enchanted Village host its annual Fright Fest, Saturday and Sunday, through Oct. 31, $29.99, $24.99 seniors and children 48 inches and shorter. Features Mausoleum Madness, Street of Screams, comedy hypnotist show, paintball pandemonium and TimberHawk in the Dark roller coaster ride. Located off Interstate 5 at exit 142B on Enchanted Parkway, Federal Way; 253-661-8001, www.sixflags.com.

Market Ghost tours: Ghost tours of Pike Place Market led bu Michael Yaeger and Mercedes Yaeger, by appointment, through Oct. 31, $10. For reservations, call 206-322-1218.

Nightmare at the Center: The 39th annual haunted house at Seattle Center is 10,000 square feet, 7 to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, through Oct. 31, $10, $15 VIP Lounge. The Pavilion, Southeast corner of Key Arena area, Seattle.

Pumpkin Harvest Festival: Pumpkin festival features a hay maze, pony rides, 4-H animal barn, miniature roller coaster, educational tours, corn maze and u-pick pumpkin fields, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October. Join pumpkin sculptors Russ and Pam Leno for a free pumpkin carving demonstration, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 23. $5 to $7 for educational tours, reservations required. Remlinger Farms, 32610 NE 32nd St., Carnation; 425-333-4135.

Haunted Trails: Enjoy guided trail walks with Halloween characters around every turn, 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 15, 16, 22, 23, $8, $7 with canned food donation. Recommended for ages 5 years and older. Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore; 425-603-3107, www.bastyr.edu.

Halloween carnival and silent auction: The 17th annual Shoreline Cooperative Preschool Halloween carnival and silent auction features games, prizes, pony rides and bouncy castle, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 16. Wear a costume and bring a non-perishable food donation to benefit local food banks. Aldercrest Learning Center gym, 2545 NE 200th St., Shoreline; 206-362-3257, www.shorelinecooperativepreschool.org.

Trick or Treat on the Waterfront: Kids are invited to trick or treat in the waterfront neighborhood, appearances by J.P. Patches and the Seafair Pirates, arts and crafts, treats, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 24, activities inside the aquarium with admission. Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle; 206-386-4320, www.seattleaquarium.org.

Pumpkin Prowl: Trick-or-treating at the zoo, 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 29 through 31, $7, $5 ages 3 through 17. Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle; 206-684-4800, www.zoo.org.

Halloween Horrorathon slumber party: Second annual event features a haunted forest, monster dance and costume contest, live music, vaudeville, all night classic monster movies, 7 p.m. Oct. 30, $10, $5 ages 6 to 16. At 7 p.m. treats for kids and Halloween cartoons, after midnight classic movies. Encouraged to bring camping chairs, sleeping bags and tents; 360-387-4579, www.chumleigh.com.

Howl-O-Ween: Wolf Haven’s annual pumpkin feed for the wolves and Halloween party, 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 30. Features feed tours, magic show, music, scary stories, costume contest and snacks, $18, $12 ages 3 to 12, reservations recommended. 3111 Offut Lake Road, Tenino; 360-264-4695, www.wolfhaven.org.

Halloween bash: Space City Mixer presents its third annual bash with an ancient Egypt theme, 8 p.m. Oct. 30, 21 and older only. Costume contest, live music, tarot card and palm readers, $25, $30 at door. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., Seattle; 800-325-7328, www.halloweenseattle.com.

“Masque: An Evening of Phantasm and Philanthropy”: An evening with gothic garments, cocktail party, sit-down dinner, dancing, masquerade, costume or creative black tie dress, 9 p.m. Oct. 30, $125, $75 for party only. The Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle; www.friendskc.org.

Pumpkin Push: The ninth annual family fun run with a 5K run/walk, one mile family fun walk and kids dash, features music, kids games, pumpkin patch, prizes for costumes and event winners, 10 a.m. Oct. 30. Seward Park, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd., Seattle; 206-634-1754, www.pumpkinpushrun.org.

Halloween Day: Scavenger hunt, animal pumpkin treats, games, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 31, $8.50, $7 seniors, $6 ages 2 through 12. Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St., Issaquah; www.cougarmountainzoo.org.

Halloween Extravaganza: 3 p.m. Oct. 31, up to $35, $7 students and seniors, 1/2 price admission for those in costume, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle; 206-362-2300.

Pumpkin patches &corn mazes

Snohomish and Island counties

Ballfield Farm: 24030 Highway 9 NE, Arlington; 360-435-2556. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Ride coach pulled by antique tractor or ponies.

Baylor Farm: 28511 Ben Howard Road, Monroe. 360-793-0822. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Wagon rides, u-pick pumpkins.

Biringer Farms: 4625 40th Place N.E., between Everett and Marysville off Highway 529; 425-259-0255, www.biringerfarm.com. Features a corn maze and the Pumpkin Country patch. “Earth-To-Mars” covers 16 acres and features six miles of paths through three mazes, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 31, weekdays by appointment. $7, $6.50 groups of 50 or more. U-pick pumpkin patch 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, $3 any size.

Bob’s Corn: 10917 Elliott Road, Snohomish; 360-668-3043. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Giant farm/ tractor-themed eight-acre corn maze, u-pick pumpkin patch with 20 varieties.

Carleton Farm: 830 Sunnyside Blvd. SE, Everett; 425-334-2297. 9 a.m. to dusk daily through Oct. 31. Four acre “Farm Trivia” corn maze and farm animals daily. Hayrides and pumpkin canon on weekends.

Country Pickin’s Pumpkin Patch: At Country Village, 23804 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell; 425-485-0191. U-pick pumpkins.

Craven Farm Pumpkin Patch: 13817 Short School Road, Snohomish; 360-568-2601, www.cravenfarm.com. 9:30 a.m. to dusk daily through Oct. 31. Storytime tours, 20 acres of pumpkins, baby farm animals, 10-acre corn maze, nursery rhyme scenes, horse-drawn hay rides from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, scarecrow-making, pumpkin slinger. $4.

Fairbank Farm: 15308 52nd Ave. W., Edmonds; 425-743-3694. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Oct. 29. A hands on animal and pumpkin farm, school group tours, $2, $5 school group tour includes pumpkin.

The Farm: 7301 Rivershore Road, Snohomish; 425-334-4124, www.thefarm1.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Washington State Corn Maze is 12-acres and features state landmarks with educational rest stations, scavenger hunt, $5, $20 family. Features petting farm, 18-hole putting course, barn maze, wagon rides and pig show. Night maze by appointment.

Foster’s Produce and Corn Maze: 5818 Highway 530 NE, Arlington; 360-435-5095, www.fosterscornmaze.com. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Features five-acre “Mystery Mansion” corn maze, $4, and u-pick pumpkin patch. Puppet show and storytime, noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Pumpkin slingshot, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Kurt’s Produce: 17819 Highway 203, Monroe; 360-794-5940. 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. U-pick pumpkins.

Pumpkins for Literacy: Smokey Point Plant Farm, 16622 Twin Lakes Road, Arlington; 360-659-6236. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. U-pick pumpkins. Free hay rides, petting zoo, train rides and bouncing house on weekends.

Shuh Farms: 9828 Highway 532, Stanwood; 360-629-6455. 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 7.

Stocker Farms: 8705 Marsh Road, Snohomish; 360-568-7391. 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 31. Help Sheriff Keith find the Steer with the Golden Horns in the 10-acre corn maze, $6. “Field of Screams” Fridays and Saturdays, beginning Oct. 8.

Williams Pioneer Pumpkin Patch: Located off Highway 532, west of Stanwood, before the bridge to Camano Island; 360-629-3580. noon to dusk Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to dusk Saturday and Sunday, daily through Oct. 31. U-pick pumpkins, straw bales, hayrides on weekends.