Fantastic Fall

PUMPKIN PATCHES Waltons Farms This Camas-based pumpkin patch is open through Oct. 31, from 3 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Waltons Farms bills itself as a farm where you can "find the pumpkin that is perfect for you without the the congestion of the bigger farms." There are farm animals, a corn maze, the pumpkin patch, hayrides on weekends, a barrel train and more. Throughout October, the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association will display early power farm machinery, including engines, a washing machine, a corn sheller and a corn grinder. Admission to the Camas farm, located at 1617 N.E. 267th Ave., is free for ages 2 and younger, $10 for ages 55 and older, and $12 for ages 3 to 54. Admission includes the corn maze, a train ride, a hayride (on the weekends only) and, for ages 3 and older, one free pumpkin, any size. The farm has port-a-potties, a hand-washing area and free parking. For more information, visit waltonsfarms.com, WaltonsFarms on Facebook, call 360-834-2810 or email waltonsfarms@yahoo.com. Pumpkin patch at Skamania County Fairgrounds Skamania County Community Events and Recreation hosts an annual pumpkin patch at the Skamania County Fairgrounds, 650 S.W. Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson. With a variety of games, crafts, a hay maze and pumpkins, this event is suitable for all ages, but organizers say it is best for children ages 2 to 9. The cost is $5 per person, and includes a small pumpkin. For more information, visit skamaniacounty.org/facilities-rec/homepage/events/pumpkin-patch or call 509-427-3980. Bi-Zi Farms Open every weekend in October, from 2 to 5:30 p.m., Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, this Vancouver farm costs $12 for ages 3 to 61, is free for ages 2 and younger, and $10 for ages 62 and older. The pumpkin patch is closed to the general public on weekdays. Entrance fee includes one free pumpkin, of any size that visitors can carry from the pumpkin patch; admission to the corn maze and the farm animals area; live music on Saturdays and Sundays, one free hot drink (coffee, spiced cider or hot chocolate); a wagon ride to and from the pumpkin patch, a corn shelling and grinding station, free apple cider sampling; and a number of children's activities including a bale pyramid, pedal tractor driving, "hippity-hop races," calf-roping station, a bale maze and two shots on the pumpkin launcher. This pumpkin patch does allow dogs, on a short leash only. The farm also offers a Nighttime Corn Maze from 6 to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, for $7 admission (or use your daytime corn maze pass to try the maze at night). Flashlights are a must for the dark, nighttime corn maze. Bi-Zi Farm is located at 9504 N.E. 119th St., Vancouver. For more information, visit bizifarms.com/pumpkin-patch, email Bi-ZiFarms@juno.com or call 360-574-9119. Joe's Place Farm Located at 701 N.E. 112th Ave., Vancouver, Joe's Place Farm offers a free pumpkin patch and 3-acre corn maze every day throughout the month of October, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. Also offered at the farm is a fort maze ($2 per person), and hayrides (also $2 per person). The hayrides are available from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on the weekdays and during regular admission hours on Saturday and Sunday. The farm also offers face painting and balloons for the youngsters; a "farm kitchen" serving frito pies, chili, nachos, mini cobblers, pumpkin pie, fresh cookies, cold and hot cider, coffee and tea, and hot chocolate on October weekends; and a farm store featuring pumpkin carving tools, fresh apple cider made on the farm using Joe's Farm fresh apples, a wide variety of apples grown in the Joe's Farm orchards, fresh fall produce, local honey and honey products, a new line of Mrs. Joe's specialty jams, Amish Country popcorn, frozen fruit and fresh-made fudge, cookies and cobblers. For more information, visit joesplacefarms.com/pumpkin-patch, or call 360-892-3974. HARVEST FESTIVALS Downtown Washougal Pumpkin Harvest Festival Local families are invited to wear their Halloween costumes and receive a free pumpkin at the annual Downtown Washougal Pumpkin Harvest Festival, to be held this year -- rain or shine -- from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 27, at Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main St., Washougal. The event, presented by the city of Washougal and the Downtown Washougal Association (DWA), will have nearly 1,000 pumpkins available, thanks to a donation from Columbia River Realty and support by the city. All pumpkins will be handed out free, one per child, while supplies last. "The Pumpkin Harvest Festival has grown in popularity each year," event organizer Rose Jewell, said. "It is wonderful to see so many Washougal families come out and enjoy this fun event." Previously held Wednesday afternoons during elementary school early release, organizers moved the event to Saturday in 2017, and Jewell said the city "saw an increase in participation with entire families able to attend." The event is free, open to the public, and features carnival games run by student and community volunteers, balloon-animal makers sponsored by IQ Credit Union, face-painting, apples donated by Washougal Family Dental, popcorn from the Washougal Fire Department and a selfie station. "We love to host events such as this in downtown," DWA President Heena Dwivedy said. "After families enjoy the activities at Reflection Plaza, many stay to explore shops and restaurants in downtown Washougal." Volunteers are still needed for this event. If you would like to help, email dwavolunteers@gmail.com. Harvest Party at Camas Church of the Nazarene The Camas Church of the Nazarene is hosting a Harvest Party with dinner, giveaways, games, a costume parade, trick-or-treating and more, from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31, at the church, 2204 N.E. Birch St., Camas. The free party offers families a fun, safe, warm place to gather on Halloween, with a costume parade for the children, indoor trick-or-treating, games and crafts, a photo booth, food and refreshments, a cake walk and several giveaways, including Amazon Fire tablets and movie ticket bundles. For more information, visit Camas Church of the Nazarene on Facebook. HALLOWEEN EVENTS Boo Bash This annual Halloween event in downtown Camas lets families bring their costumed little ones to Camas businesses from 3 to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 24, for an early evening of trick-or-treating. Organized by the Downtown Camas Association, the event often draws 2,000 or more children to the streets of downtown Camas, where businesses provide candy, stickers, small toys and other treats. The city closes Northeast Fourth Avenue from Northeast Adams to Northeast Franklin streets, and side streets from Northeast Third to Fifth avenues during the event to ensure children's safety. The city requests that families do not bring bicycles, skateboards or scooters, and supervise children when crossing the road. For more information, visit downtowncamas.com/event/boo-bash-trick-treat. Haunted happenings at Camas Public Library The Camas Public Library is filled with free, spooky fun for all ages during a Halloween extravaganza, Oct. 20-25. The library will host a "Saturday Spooktacular" Saturday, Oct. 20, with a scary story writing contest read-aloud at 6:30 p.m. and Boo Bingo, a haunted library, crafts for children and snacks at 7 p.m. From 4 to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23, the library will host a paper sugar skull craft event for teens. The library also takes part in this year's downtown Camas Book Bash trick-or-treat event, from 3 to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 24. Finally, from 4 to 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 25, there will be a mini-pumpkin decorating event for all ages. The Camas Public Library is located at 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., in downtown Camas. For more information, visit camaslibrary.org, or call 360-834-4692. Family Halloween Night in Camas The 30th annual Camas Family Halloween Night will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 27, at Liberty Middle School, 1612 N.E. Garfield St., Camas. The event features carnival games, prizes, candy, fall crafts, a photo booth (bring a camera), and a costume contest. The first 30 children to enter will receive a special goody bag. The activities are designed for ages 12 and younger, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The event is free, but two cans of food or non-perishable items will enter participants in the drawing of the annual Halloween-themed basket of goodies. The donations will benefit the Inter-faith Treasure House's food bank. For more information, call Camas Parks & Recreation at 360-834-5307, or visit cityofcamas.us/parks. Haunted house at Washougal High School Hollywood's greatest horror films come to life at "Screen Screams," a haunted house produced by the Washougal High School Drama Department. Check into the Bates Motel from the movie, "Psycho," watch a man transform to a werewolf before your eyes and run for your life through the subterranean sewers of Stephen King's horror classic, "It." The haunted house will run from 8:30 to 11 p.m., Friday, Oct. 26, 7 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 27 and 7 to 10 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Washougal High School, 1201 39th St. Admission costs $5 per person. Halloween Eve party at Kent Place Senior Living Kent Place Senior Living, at 2647 N.W. Kent St., Camas, will host a Halloween party from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30. The public is invited to enjoy "Halloween on the Hill" with trick-or-treating, witches' brew, pizza, Halloween activities and other seasonal treats at the Camas senior living center. RSVP by Oct. 26 by calling 360-834-3988. Trick-or-treat at Grove Field The Camas-Washougal Aviation Association will host a trick-or-treat event from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31, in the airport parking at Grove Field, 632 N.E. 267th Ave., Camas.

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