Gig Harbor guide: Halloween activities are all over the harbor

Laureen Lund

guest columnist

Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble. — Shakespeare “Macbeth”

Howl for Halloween! I love it. Halloween is so fun in this town. Kids and adults alike use this goofy holiday to express themselves in ways no one can get away with the other 364 days of the year.

I mean, really — you can walk down the street and pass a pirate who is your dentist, or a Dalmatian who is your doctor, or a mummy who is your daddy!

It’s crazy and fun and nice to see people let their hair down in this town from time to time.

This year, Halloween falls on a Saturday, which opens up more possibilities. I would suspect more private parties will be taking place along with the tried and true Gig Harbor favorites, some with a new twist.

So here’s a list of the things I have been able to round up happening in the harbor:

Peninsula Gardens Pumpkin Patch opened Oct. 3 and has pumpkins for ghouls and goblins of every size. www.peninsulagardens.com.

Patterson’s Pumpkin Patch, “Home of the Jolly Pumpkin,” opened Oct. 1 and runs through Halloween with lots of free stuff for families, including a bounce house and games with prizes. It’s open until 8 p.m. every day. Call 253-851-8144.

Paradise Theatre opened its annual Haunted House, “Theatre of Lost Souls,” last Friday, and it’ll run every night through Halloween. Hours and ticket prices vary, so visit www.paradisetheatre.org.

Uptown merchants will welcome trick-or-treaters on Halloween for the second annual Trick or Treat at Uptown from 3 to 6 p.m. Visit www.uptown.com.

Downtown, the annual Trick or Treat in the Harbor will take place starting at 3 p.m. Saturday. Note: Pioneer Way will be closed from Harborview Drive to Tarabochia Street, and Harborview Drive will be closed from Soundview Drive to Stinson Avenue.

Because Trick or Treat in the Harbor brings thousands of kids and their families, the road closures were initiated last year as a safety measure.

This event is a great one, sponsored by the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association and supported by local merchants. Don’t forget your camera!

In addition, the GHHWA is planning a pumpkin decorating contest. Creative types of all kinds are encouraged to participate in this new (free) addition to downtown events.

Have your decorated pumpkin showcased in a downtown business during Trick or Treat in the Harbor. Have fun finding your pumpkin and win a prize.

To find out more about how to participate, call 253-514-0071 or visit www.ghhwa.org.

The Tides Tavern will have its annual Halloween Costume Contest, with the fun starting at 8 p.m. on Halloween night. Lots of prizes! Visit www.tidestavern.com.

Check out our Web site, www.gigharborguide.com, throughout October, because we will continue to add events and activities as we learn about them for Halloween weekend.

Let your hair down Gig Harbor, and have some Halloween fun!

Gig Harbor Guide columnist Laureen Lund, the marketing director for the City of Gig Harbor, can be reached by e-mail at lundl@cityofgigharbor.net.