Some of the pumpkins submitted to the pumpkin decorating contest are seen here during the 5th annual Kenai Fall Pumpkin Festival in Kenai, Alaska on Oct. 10, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Some of the pumpkins submitted to the pumpkin decorating contest are seen here during the 5th annual Kenai Fall Pumpkin Festival in Kenai, Alaska on Oct. 10, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Spooky season is upon us

Trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating and scavenger hunts are featured this Halloween month.

Spooky season is upon the central peninsula, and local organizations are preparing accordingly.

The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce announced multiple Halloween events through the rest of the month for anyone brave enough to participate:

The Kenai Pumpkin Festival is set to kick off the Halloween season Saturday, and also includes a weeklong scavenger hunt that began Monday. Local businesses will compete for best spooky decorations and scavenger hunt participants will be entered to win raffle prizes. To learn more, visit the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center webpage.

The Boys and Girls Club will be hosting its Trunk-or-Treat evening on Oct. 30 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. To register for the event and sponsor the club, visit the club’s interland link.

There will be events hosted by the Peninsula Center Mall for Halloweekend, including pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating on Oct. 30. The celebration will last between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., with the pumpkin carving champions announced at 3 p.m.

Rules for the pumpkin carving contest state that only one will be accepted per family and it must be registered and carved before the event. According to the event flier, the prize is valued at $350.

For more information on the Peninsula Center Mall’s Halloween happenings, visit the Facebook page.

The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank is putting on the “It’s Scary to be Hungry” food drive on Halloween day. The event will be a drive-thru drop-off, and will include a treat for donors. The drive is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 31.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

A diagram presented by Seward City Manager Kat Sorenson during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Dec. 2, 2025, shows the expected timeline for the Port of Seward Vessel Shore Power Implementation Project. Screenshot
Seward shore power project moves into preliminary design phase

The project will create jobs, reduce cruise ship emissions and provide a backup power grid.

The U.S. Forest Service Porcupine Campground offers gorgeous views of the Kenai Mountains and Turnagain Arm, as seen here on July 20, 2020, near Hope, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Department of Natural Resources seeks public input on proposed Kenai Peninsula State Forest

DNR is gathering community perspectives during several meetings this week.

David Ross is sworn in as Kenai Police Chief on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at Kenai City Hall. The Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police named Ross the 2025 Police Chief of the Year, recognizing over two decades of service. Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion
Kenai police chief named 2025 Police Chief of the Year

The Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police recognized David Ross for his more than two decades of leadership.

The cast of Nikiski Middle School’s upcoming performance of “Alice in Wonderland” is pictured on Dec. 2, 2025. The upperclassmen-directed play opens on Friday, with additional showtimes Saturday and next weekend. Photo courtesy of Carla Jenness
Nikiski Middle School debuts student-led “Alice in Wonderland”

The show opens on Friday, with additional showtimes this weekend and next.

On Tuesday, the Kenaitze Indian Tribe unveiled Kahtnu Area Transit, a public transportation service open to the entire Peninsula Borough community. Photo courtesy of Kahtnu Area Transit
Kenaitze Indian Tribe unveils Kahtnu Area Transit

The fixed bus route offers 13 stops between Nikiski and Sterling.

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center hosts the annual Christmas Comes to Kenai on Nov. 28<ins>, 2025</ins>. The beloved event began over 40 years ago, and this year over 1,000 attendees enjoyed hot chocolate, fireworks, pictures with Santa and shopping. Photo courtesy of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce
 Photo courtesy of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center hosted the annual Christmas Comes to Kenai on Nov. 28. The beloved event began over 40 years ago, and this year over 1,000 attendees enjoyed hot chocolate, fireworks, pictures with Santa and shopping.
Kicking off a month of holiday festivities

Last weekend’s holiday events, including the annual Christmas Comes to Kenai and the Soldotna Turkey Trot, drew folks from all over the Kenai Peninsula.

Starting Dec. 2, Aleutian Airways will offer roundtrip flights between Anchorage and Unalakleet every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
Aleutian Airways to offer roundtrip flights between Anchorage and Unalakleet

Starting Dec. 2, Aleutian Airways will offer three roundtrip flights per week.

The Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill” act requires the Bureau of Ocean Energy management to hold at least six offshore oil and gas lease sales in Alaska between 2026-2028 and 2030-2032. The first of these sales — known as “Big Beautiful Cook Inlet 1,” or BBC1— is scheduled for March 2026. Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Cook Inletkeeper launches petition against federal government

The organization is calling for transparency in Cook Inlet offshore oil and gas sales.

Winter dining has always carried more weight than the menu might suggest. In the off-season, eating out isn’t just about comfort food or convenience; it’s a way of supporting local businesses as they hold steady through the slower months. Photo credit: Canva.
The ripple effect: How local spending builds stronger communities on the Kenai Peninsula

From cozy cafés to fine-dining bistros, purchases made close to home sustain local jobs and services

Most Read