Pumpkins wait to be dropped from planes for the entertainment of people during Kenai Aviation’s Fifth Annual Pumpkin Drop at the Kenai Municipal Airport Operations Building in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Pumpkins wait to be dropped from planes for the entertainment of people during Kenai Aviation’s Fifth Annual Pumpkin Drop at the Kenai Municipal Airport Operations Building in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Costumes, pumpkins and seasonal scares

Peninsula packs October with Halloween events

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.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

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.

More in Life

A clay tea set on display at the Kenai Potters Guild exhibit, “River,” hosted by the Kenai Art Center. (Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)
Making art shaped by the river

Kenai Potters Guild Clay On Display exhibit focuses on a river’s effect on self and community.

A clipping from a Homer Death Cafe poster.
Homer group tackles death and dying through open conversations

The local group mirrors a growing worldwide trend of “Death Cafes.”

Peonies bloom on Friday, July 4, 2024, in the garden beside Cosmic Kitchen on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting
Homer chamber hosts 6th annual Peony Celebration

The weeks-long festival features art exhibits, events, flower sales, guided farm tours and more.

These fudgy brownies are a classic, decadent treat. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Dessert for a thoughtful reader

These classic fudgy brownies are dense and decadent.

Volunteers scoop up ducks at the finish line during the annual Anchor River Duck Races on Saturday, July 5, in Anchor Point.
Locals win at 4th annual Anchor River duck races

The event is part of the Anchor Point VFW’s Fourth of July celebrations.

Photo courtesy of the Melchior Family Collection
Between 1879 and 1892, Stephan Melchior (far left, middle row) performed his mandatory Prussian military service. He was a member of the Eighth Rhineland Infantry Regiment No. 70 in Trier, Germany.
Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 1

Did anyone in Alaska know the real Steve Melchior? That is difficult to say.

File
Minister’s Message: ‘Be still and I will fight for you’

Letting go of control and embracing faith and silence can encourage us in peace and divine trust.

"Octopus" is an acrylic painting by new co-op member Heather Mann on display at Ptarmigan Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ptarmigan Arts
July First Friday in Homer

Homer’s galleries and public art spaces celebrate with new and ongoing exhibits.

Frank Rowley and his youngest child, Raymond, stand in knee-deep snow in front of the protective fence around the main substation for Mountain View Light & Power in Anchorage in 1948 or ’49. This photo was taken a year or two before Rowley moved to Kenai to begin supplying electrical power to the central peninsula. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 2

In July 1946, the soft-spoken Rowley was involved in an incident that for several consecutive days made the front page of the Anchorage Daily Times.

Most Read