Halloween events offer fun for all

Ghosts, ghouls and goblins descend upon Snohomish County this weekend in preparation for Halloween.

Fans of the day of the dead can choose from many fun activities and trick-or-treating alternatives. Halloween is a holiday for kids and adults and Snohomish County’s holiday activities reflect the diversity.

Try a haunted house. There are two in the area.

The Everett Jaycees hosts its eighth annual Haunted Forest at Forest Park in Everett.

The haunted walk takes visitors on trails through the park evenings through Sunday. It’s not too spooky and is recommended for ages 5 and older.

The Chamber of Horror haunted house offers a full serving of fright at Rosehill Community Center in Mukilteo.

The community center has been converted into a mausoleum featuring all sorts of creepy characters.

A benefit for the Gene Nastri Community School for the Arts scholarship program, it is open through Saturday.

This one is a bit scarier, so it’s recommended for ages 12 and older.

If a haunted house isn’t what you’re looking for, try a tale of terror with the Driftwood Players.

“Ode to Poe,” a reading of Halloween frights based on Edgar Allan Poe’s horrific tales, takes place tonight and Saturday at Cafe on the Terrace.

PlayCafe performers act out some of Poe’s well-known classics, as well as lesser-known gems. The evening comes with a twist and features a four-course meal. Reservations are required.

The Driftwood Players Alternative Stages offers “The Turn of the Screw” by Jeffrey Hatcher, from the story by Henry James, tonight through Sunday.

The tale of suspense and horror takes place at Wade James Theatre. Tickets are $10, which includes a dessert buffet. Reservations are required.

Trick-or-treating?

Many businesses have grouped together to offer a treat of their own for trick-or-treaters.

Arlington hosts its Hometown Halloween on Saturday that features a pumpkin decorating contest, pumpkin pie contest, costume contest and pumpkin roll. In addition, kids can trick-or-treat at local businesses.

In Edmonds, local business owners will provide a pedestrian-safe environment for trick-or-treaters on Sunday. Local streets will be closed to automobile traffic. Participating merchants on Main Street, in Old Mill Town and along Fifth Avenue South will hand out treats.

If Bothell is where you want to be, Country Village and Main Street merchants provide trick-or-treating on Sunday.

The city of Snohomish offers a carved pumpkin contest Saturday at Snohomish Library. Trick-or-treating will be Sunday at participating stores.

For an alternative to traditional trick-or-treating, try Trunk-or-Treating in Mill Creek.

More than 35 car trunks will be decorated by their owners in Halloween attire. Kids can trunk-or-treat from car to car in the Mill Creek City Hall parking lot Sunday evening. Additional kids’ activities include inflatables, a magic show, face painting and balloon animals.

Have some Halloween fun this year.

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

Halloween fun

Haunted Forest: 7 to 11 p.m. today through Sunday. $7, $6 with canned food donation. Forest Park, 802 Mukilteo Blvd., Everett.

425-953-4043, www.everettjaycees.org.

Chamber of Horror: 6 to 10 p.m. today and Saturday. $6. Creaky Cafe with stories, games and treats, 6 to 8 p.m. for the younger or more timid set. Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo. 425-290-9500.

“Ode to Poe”: Driftwood Players PlayCafe presents a reading of Halloween frights by Poe, 7 p.m. today and Saturday, $20. Cafe on the Terrace, 22826 56th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace. 425-712-9112.

“The Turn of the Screw”: Driftwood Players Alternative Stages presents Jeffrey Hatcher’s story by Henry James, 8 p.m. today and Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday. $10 includes dessert buffet. Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St., Edmonds. 425-774-9600.

Halloween fun

Haunted Forest: 7 to 11 p.m. today through Sunday. $7, $6 with canned food donation. Forest Park, 802 Mukilteo Blvd., Everett.

425-953-4043, www.everettjaycees.org.

“Ode to Poe”: Driftwood Players PlayCafe presents a reading of Halloween frights by Poe, 7 p.m. today and Saturday, $20. Cafe on the Terrace, 22826 56th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace. 425-712-9112.

Trick-or-treating

Arlington Hometown Halloween: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in downtown Arlington.

Edmonds Trick-or-Treat: 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Participating merchants include businesses on Main Street, in Old Mill Town and along Fifth Avenue S. 425-776-6711.

Bothell Trick-or-Treat: 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday; also from 3 to 5 p.m. at Country Village. www.ci.bothell.wa.us.