Jumping jack-o-lanterns, it’s that time of year. Whether you call it harvest season, fall or Halloween, it’s time to put on a costume and have a good time. From little tricksters in baby-carriers to excited school students to mask-wearing senior citizens, there is plenty to do to celebrate in the coming week.
Some events are fundraisers. Some are hair-raisers. Some are toned down a wee bit in consideration of varying fear factors. All of them look like fun. The hardest part is picking and choosing what to wear and where to go.
Earlier in the month, it was uncertain if the USCGC Hickory would return to port in time to organize the widely popular Haunted Hickory. The two-part — one scary, one really scary — Halloween event has been used as a food-raiser for the Homer Community Food Pantry in past years. With food supplies running low, the pantry has taken matters into their own hands and is holding a Food and Fund$raiser Dinner at the United Methodist Church from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $15 adult, $7 kids and are available at the Homer Bookstore or at the door. Instead of buying a ticket, diners can donate the equivalent number of nonperishable food items — 15 for 15, seven for seven — at the food pantry.
As it turns out, the Haunted Hickory will happen and once again be a fundraiser for the food pantry on Oct. 30, according to word from the U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday. The more easily frightened can visit the ship from 5-6 p.m., with the not-so-faint-of-heart invited from 7-10 p.m. The requested donation is two nonperishable food items that will be collected at the entry to the pier.
Other activities include:
Trick or Treat Bags
Homer Police Department
Available now
Pick the bags up anytime through Halloween. Preschool groups and classes are welcome. Don’t forget to stop by on Halloween for candy.
Pumpkin Carving and Scary Stories
Bunnell Street Arts Center
4-7 p.m., Oct. 26 and 27
For treat-and-tricksters ages 8 and older. A $20 donation pays for the pumpkin and homemade donuts and cider at the gallery, a scary walk through Old Town, stories read by Peter Norton, Jen Castellani and English John, and a wrap-up with hot chocolate at Two Sisters.
Scary Stories and Costume Exchange
Homer Public Library
1-3 p.m. Oct. 27
Scary stories will be read in the children’s room to youngsters 8 and older from 1-2 p.m. It will be followed by a “Swap Not Shop” costume exchange for all ages, with participants invited to bring a bag of costume stuff someone else might be able to use.
Fall carnival
McNeil Canyon Elementary School
4-7 p.m., Oct. 27
This is a fundraiser for the school’s parent group. Costumes are encouraged. There will be carnival activities, games of chance, food, a haunted house compliments of the school’s sixth-graders, a pie-in-the-face for Principal Pete Swanson, and a wood-splitting contest with a $5 entry fee or $10 tickets for a chance to win the cord of wood being split.
Trunk and Treat
Kelly’s Kutz and New Image Salon, Anchor Point
3-5 p.m., Oct. 27
Bring your car, decorate the trunk and fill it with treats to give away to young trick-or-treaters. Donations of treats, gift certificates and financial support are being accepted.
Halloween Carnival
Chapman School
5-7 p.m., Oct. 27
This is a fundraiser for the school’s parent group. Costumes are welcome. There will be carnival treats and activities for all ages.
Free movie:
Coraline-PG
Homer Public Library
3:45 p.m. Oct. 30
This scary movie, the first of monthly free afternoon movies for ages 10-14 to be shown on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
Halloween Parade
Paul Banks Elementary School
12:30 p.m. Oct. 31
Frightening and/or bloody costumes, masks and weapons are discouraged. Family members and friends are invited to come watch this short, sweet parade.
Preschool Story Hour
Homer Public Library
10-11 a.m. Oct. 31
Halloween-themed stories for ages 3-5. Youngsters are encouraged to come in costume.
Halloween Parade
West Homer Elementary School
1:10 p.m., Oct. 31
Students are directed not to wear costumes to school. Costumes are to be put on after lunch, must adhere to the school dress code, are not to include weapons or look-alike weapons or glitter. Masks may be work during the parade only.
Happy Halloween Trick or Treat
Pratt Museum
4-6 p.m., Oct. 31
Families with youngsters in kindergarten-sixth grade are invited to put on fabulous Halloween costumes and trick or treat at the museum’s homestead cabin.
Harvest Carnival
Christian Community Church
5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31
Hot dogs, costumes, games, candy, prizes, free fun.
Trick or Treat
Friendship Center
5:30 p.m. Oct. 31
The public is invited to come trick or treat residents of the Homer Senior Center’s assisted living facility. Treats will be available in the lobby and distributed by residents. Donations of treats for distribution are being accepted.
Great Candy Exchange
South Peninsula Hospital Training Center
2-5 p.m. Nov. 1
Ages 10 and younger are invited to turn in their trick-or-treat candy for prizes, create custom art greeting cards, and bundle up the cards and candy into care packages to send to service men and women overseas. While the youngsters are having fun, moms can visit with new health care providers specializing in women and kids health.
Events, for adults only:
Spooktacular Costume Contest
Otter Room
Stop by and get your picture taken. Prizes will be awarded.
Dark Carnival Party
Alice’s Champagne Palace
Oct. 27
A party for the adults featuring Holy Santos and DJCJ7.
Halloween party
Down East Saloon
9 p.m., Oct. 27
This one is for the adults, with live music by Kevin Worrell, a costume party with cash prizes, a carved pumpkin contest (bring your own already-carved pumpkin) and a scary finger-food competition.
Annual Halloween Bash
Salty Dawg Saloon
Oct. 31
There will be food at 6 p.m. There will be a costume contest at 10 p.m. There will be a $500 cash drawing at midnight; you must be present to win. There also will be specialty T-shirt door prizes.
