ARLINGTON — A fun day in this town that likes to celebrate takes on a serious tone this year as people gather donations to help others.
Arlington’s Hometown Halloween happens throughout Saturday in the downtown area.
Among the events is a visit by the Everett-based Pirates of Treasure Island. Arlington Kiwanis Club volunteers hope people will fill the pirates’ “ship” with donations to the community food bank and hundreds of pairs of new shoes to be distributed by Arlington Kids Kloset.
“So many families are struggling in this economy. They need healthy meals and they need good shoes for their kids so that the children stay active,” volunteer Katie Ellis said. “Arlington is such a caring community. I hope we not only load up the pirate ship, I hope we overfill it.”
Capt. Scurvy Dog and his pirates plan to be in Legion Park, 114 N. Olympic Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The annual pumpkin carving contest is hosted by Arlington Hardware at 215 N Olympic Ave. Contestants are encouraged to drop off their decorated pumpkins and register until 5 p.m. today or from 7 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Judging begins at 11 a.m., with a drawing for a bicycle from all entries set for 11:30 a.m.
The Downtown Arlington Business Association is sponsoring the annual pumpkin pie contest. Bakers are encouraged to drop off their homemade specialty pumpkin pies from 10 to 11 a.m. at the gazebo in Legion Park. Winners, receiving cash prizes, are to be announced at 12:30 p.m. Slices of pie sold will benefit local charities.
Arlington’s new downtown clock, donated by the business association, is scheduled to be dedicated at 11:30 a.m. near City Hall. The October Hunt sale in the downtown parking lot is a place to hunt for new and used treasures.
Arlington United Church, 338 N. MacLeod Ave., plans to host a harvest party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Free events include a fun house, rummage sale and games.
Trick-or-treat time is noon to 1 p.m. at businesses along Olympic Avenue. At the same time, Lifeway Church plans to host treats-in-the-trunk in the City Hall parking lot. A Halloween costume contest, judged by the pirates, is set for 1 p.m. in Legion Park, with prizes provided by the Arlington Arts Council.
Registration for the all-ages Great Pumpkin Roll is at 1:30 p.m. at the top of First Street hill. The roll begins at 2 p.m.
The Arlington Zombie Walk organizes in the parking lot near Julie’s Styling, 413 N. Olympic Ave. Artscape Photography plans to set up temporary photo studio in the Petite Sweet Bakery and, for a $5 donation to the school art fund, will take digital photos of any zombies and trick-or-treaters who want to be documented. At 3 p.m., the zombies will walk south on Olympic Avenue and congregate at Legion Park for costume judging. The winner gets a brain bauble crown from Fogdog Gallery.
A haunted house, open tonight and Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., is offered by the Arlington High School FFA in the greenhouses at the school, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd.
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