As fall unfolds and October begins on the Kenai Peninsula, seasonal scares and haunted happenings are abundant. There are festivities planned throughout the month, and plenty of opportunities to pick up some candy or show off Halloween costumes.
The City of Kenai will host its Ninth Annual Fall Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, Oct. 12, from noon to 3 p.m. At Millennium Square, the field behind Arby’s, there will be pumpkin painting, pumpkin displays, music, food trucks, a hayride, games and a pumpkin drop — in which a pumpkin will be lifted high into the air and then surrendered to gravity to produce a seasonal splat. For more information, search for “City of Kenai Parks & Recreation” on Facebook.
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce will open their Second Annual Haunted Chamber on Oct. 18, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Halloween night. Entry is free, but a donation of canned food or toys is encouraged. The experience will be scarier and “more extreme” on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, find “Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center” on Facebook.
Kenai Aviation will host their 6th Annual Pumpkin Drop on Saturday, Oct. 19, running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be food, entertainment, and splatting pumpkins at the Kenai Airpark at the end of Buoy Avenue off Kalifornsky Beach Road. For more information, find “Kenai Aviation” on Facebook.
Nikiski North Star Elementary will host the annual fall carnival on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
There will be a “Spooky Story Time” At the Soldotna Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature “not-so-spooky” stories, a scavenger hunt, and opportunity to “do the monster mash for a chance to win a cupcake.” Costumes “encouraged but not required.” For more information, visit soldotna.org/library.
The Kenai Community Library will open their annual Literary Haunted House, a “not-too-scary” interactive experience on Thursday, Oct. 24. The house can be visited during library hours through Halloween night. For more information, find “Kenai Community Library” on Facebook.
On Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25 and 26, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge will host “Spooky Seasons”-themed discovery rooms at the visitor center. The rooms will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, though the first few hours on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., are marked “sensory-friendly” and will be quieter, more dimly lit, and accessible. The event will feature “all things creepy and crawly.” For more information, find “Kenai National Wildlife Refuge” on Facebook.
The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank and Soldotna Sit and Stay will together host the Third Annual Howl-O-Ween Doggie Trick or Treat at the food bank from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. There will be costume contests, trick or treat booths, and giveaways. All dogs must be vaccinated and must be in control on a leash. For more information, find “Soldotna Sit and Stay” on Facebook.
The Tsalteshi Spooktacular will return to the Tsalteshi Trails on Sunday, Oct. 27, with games and treats along a length of the trail. The trail will be open from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with a costumed Zombie Run starting earlier at 12:30 p.m. For more information find “Tsalteshi Trails” on Facebook.
The Kenai Peninsula Racing Lions and Kenai Peninsula Ice Racing Association will host a ” Haunted Raceway ” drive-through “chilling experience” at Twin City Raceway on Oct. 26, 27, and 31. The track will be open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with standard admission of $20 per car.
The annual “Rocky Horror Picture Show” shadow cast performance will be hosted by Intuition Salon this year at the Kenai Cinema. There will be two showings, on Oct. 26 and on Nov. 2, both at 10 p.m. For more information find “Rocky Horror Picture Show – Shadow Cast” on Facebook Events.
A themed Halloween Fright Night Public Skate will be held at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29. For more information, visit Soldotna.org and find “Parks and Recreation” under “Departments.”
On Halloween, Oct. 31, the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank will again hold the annual “It’s Scary to Be Hungry” event. People and families can drive through the food bank’s decorated parking lot from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and get a free meal and other treats from staff in costume. For more information, find “Kenai Peninsula Food Bank” on Facebook.
Brew@602 will host “Ghost Train,” a frightening experience “recommended for ages 10+” on Halloween, Oct. 31, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, find “Brew602” on Facebook.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Soldotna will host a Halloween drop-in Oct. 31 from 5-8 p.m. at O’Neill Hall, 222 West Redoubt Ave. The event will feature a fire pit warmup outside and free hot dogs, hot drinks and sweet treats and inside. Donations accepted.
Trunk or Treats
Sterling Senior Center, Oct. 25, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula at the Old Carrs Mall, Oct. 26, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Frontier Community Services at the Copper Center Mall on Kalifornsky Beach Road, Oct. 30, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Peninsula Center Mall, Oct. 31, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Soldotna Elks Lodge at the Four D Professional Building on the Kenai Spur Highway, Oct. 31, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Kenai Elks Lodge, Oct. 31, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Gentle Dental, Oct. 31, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Soldotna Church of God, Oct. 31, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The web version of this story on peninsulaclarion.com will be updated with additional events and trick-or-treating opportunities as they are announced.
If you know a Halloween event on the central Kenai Peninsula that’s missing, reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
