Halloween fun is going strong this week in Snohomish County and surrounding areas. Corn mazes, pumpkin patches and haunted houses top the list of pre-Halloween activities.
The Chamber of Horror haunted house offers a full serving of fright at Rosehill Community Center, which has been converted into a mausoleum.
A benefit for the Gene Nastri Community School for the Arts scholarship program in music, drama and art for youth, the haunted house is in its 12th year and is definitely aimed at a tougher crowd.
“We’re gearing it for 12 and older, if you’re a strong 12,” said Kathy Sedy, a volunteer with the haunted house since its inception.
Sedy also is the acting president of the board of directors for the school. She said that archaeologists discovered this mausoleum complete with a gold and turquoise sarcophagus.
“Victims,” as she calls them, will travel through the Egyptian tomb encountering frightful characters along the way.
“The unspeakables have been hiding there and the criminally insane,” she said. “It’s a mortuary down there. And, as long as you have a chamber, you have to have a place to put all the bodies.”
The haunted house also features mad clowns, a deranged artist and aliens looking to take over our brains, she said.
“For the younger set, the timid and the parents is the Creaky Cafe,” she said. “There are concessions and things to do like coloring and games. Most parents are too scared to go through.”
The staff of 50 to 60 people consists entirely of volunteers who help assemble sets, decorate and haunt the “victims.”
Sedy said that the gross-out factor is at a minimum.
“If you can’t do anything other than gross, you don’t have an imagination,” she said.
“It’s just dark and noisy and very scary,” she said. “For $6, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.”
Autumn Fest: The city of Snohomish is hosting a weekend of Halloween fun for pets and their owners during Autumn Fest.
“Critter’s Capers,” a costume contest featuring categories for pets and their owners, is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Firehouse Tales.
Registration is $4 and takes place between 11 a.m. and noon at Avenue A and First Street. Receive $1 off registration with a cat food or dog food donation for the Snohomish Food Bank. Partial proceeds from “Critter’s Capers” benefit Purrfect Pals, a no-kill shelter.
A parade starts at noon for pets and their owners, and winners will be announced at 1 p.m. at the sign-in table.
From noon to 3 p.m., kids can join in at the Snohomish Kiwanis sponsored free pumpkin painting event.
Before the pumpkin painting begins, visit one of the local pumpkin patches to pick the perfect pumpkin. Bob’s Corn, Craven Farm Pumpkin Patch, The Farm and Stocker Farms are all in Snohomish.
Harvest Hoe-Down: The Equine Rescue Association is hosting a Harvest Ho-Down from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at their headquarters in Marysville.
The event includes a costume contest, games and pony rides. Masquerade contest participants will compete for various titles, including “Most Creative,” “Scariest,” and “Most Resembles Brad Pitt and Mr. Ed.” Registration for the costume contest must be done in advance by calling 360-658-5494.
Admission is free, but pony rides are $2.
Giant pumpkins: You’ll have two opportunities to watch as professional pumpkin sculptors Russ and Pam Leno hack away at giant pumpkins this weekend.
Journey to Remlinger Farms in Carnation for live demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Remlinger also offers education tours, the Harvest Festival family fun park, a corn maze, free wagon rides and a U-pick pumpkin patch.
If Carnation is too far, watch the Lenos carve up some pumpkin fun at a free demonstration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Biringer Farm.
Biringer offers a corn maze and pumpkin patch for visitors.
Haunted Trails: Encounter packs of werewolves, scary clowns, extraterrestrial spiders and the evil IRS man at Bastyr University’s annual Haunted Trails today and Saturday.
Enjoy a guided trail walk through the dark and eerie haunted forest trails of St. Edwards Park.
The event is recommended for ages 5 and older. Admission is $8 or $7 with a canned food donation. Parking is free on campus.
Halloween fun
“Chamber of Horror”
Gene Nastri Community School for the Arts 12th annual Haunted House and Creaky Cafe at Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo.
Recommended for ages 12 and older.
Hours: 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 22, 23, 29, 30, 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 28.
Cost: $6.
Information: 425-290-9500.
Autumn Fest in Snohomish: “Critter’s Capers” pets and owners costume contest, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, $4. Sign up at 11 a.m., parade at noon, winners announced at noon. Also, free pumpkin painting from noon to 3 p.m. All events at First Street and Avenue A, Snohomish.
Harvest Ho-Down: The Equine Rescue Association’s event features a costume contest, games and pony rides, 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at ERA headquarters, 2506 B 128th St., Marysville.
Cost: Free, $2 for pony rides.
Information: 360-658-5494.
Giant pumpkin sculpting: Join pumpkin sculptors Russ and Pam Leno for a free pumpkin carving demonstration, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Remlinger Farms and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Biringer Farms.
Where: Remlinger Farms, 32610 NE 32nd St., Carnation; Biringer Farms, 4625 40th Place NE, Everett.
Information: Remlinger, 425-333-4135; Biringer, 425-259-0255, www.biringerfarm.com.
Haunted Trails: Enjoy guided trail walks with Halloween characters around every turn, 7 to 10 p.m. today and Saturday at Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore.
Recommended for ages 5 years and older.
Cost: $8, $7 with canned food donation.
Information: 425-603-3107, www.bastyr.edu.
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