A hauntingly good harvest time

We’ve had a few rainy days this fall but, so far, October is shaping up to be one of those wonderfully crisp, sunny months that are perfect for harvest festivals and pumpkin patches. Haven’t been to either, yet? Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time and we’ve come up with a guide to help you find the best patches, festivals and Halloween-themed events this region has to offer. Waltons Farms This Camas-based pumpkin patch just opened last weekend and is open now through Oct. 31, from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 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, a barrel train and more. 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 on Facebook, call 360-834-2810 or email waltonsfarms@yahoo.com. Bi-Zi Farms Open every weekend, from 2 to 5:30 p.m., on Fridays, and from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, this Vancouver farm costs $10 for ages 3 to 61, is free for ages 2 and younger, and $8 for ages 62 and older. Entrance includes one free pumpkin, any size, 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 ton of children’s activities including a bale pyramid, pedal tractor driving, 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. on Friday and Saturday nights, for $5 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 www.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. on Sundays. 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 Saturdays and Sundays. 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 www.joesplacefarms.com/pumpkin-patch, or call 360-892-3974. Boo Bash in downtown Camas 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. 25, 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 the roads between Third and Fifth avenues and between Franklin and Adams streets to vehicle traffic starting at 1 p.m., Oct. 25, to ensure a safe time for everyone. For more information, visit www.downtowncamas.com/event/boo-bash-trick-treat. 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 from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28, at Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main St., Washougal. The event has moved from its previous Wednesday afternoon to Saturday in hopes this will be a more convenient time for families, and will take place rain or shine. The city will provide more than 300 pumpkins — harvested from the city garden plot behind Washougal City Hall — for the event, and will purchase an additional 800 to 900 pumpkins, thanks to a generous donation from Columbia River Realty. All pumpkins will be handed out free, one per child, while supplies last. “The Pumpkin Harvest Festival is a culmination of the work of many in the community,” said Rose Jewell, event organizer and assistant to the Washougal city administrator and mayor. “Second grade students from Gause Elementary planted the pumpkin seeds last spring during a field trip to City Hall and the seeds were donated by Washougal True Value. Representatives from the Washougal Library, City of Washougal, Unite Washougal, Downtown Washougal Association, Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance and Washougal Round Table each cared for a portion of the patch to ensure a bountiful harvest of pumpkins for the event. DWA volunteers and city staff have worked together on planning.” The event is free, open to the public, and will also feature carnival games run by student volunteers, balloon-animal makers sponsored by IQ Credit Union, apples donated by Washougal Family Dental, popcorn from the Washougal Fire Department, a selfie station and more. Volunteers are still needed for this event. If you would like to help, email dwavolunteers@gmail.com. Haunted Happenings at Camas Public Library The month of October at the Camas Public Library is filled with free, spooky fun for all ages. Throughout the month, the library is hosting its “Great Jack O’Lantern Hunt,” and then there’s a paper sugar-skull craft event for teens from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 24; the library will be part of the Boo Bash trick-or-treating event from 3 to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 25; there is a “BYOP” (Bring Your Own Pumpkin) decorating event from 3 to 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26; and spooky stories at 6:30 p.m. and a haunted library at 7:30 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 28. The Camas Public Library is located at 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., in downtown Camas. For more information, visit www.camaslibrary.org, or call 360-834-4692. Haunted Walking Tours Interested in learning all about Camas’ ghastly ghosts and spooky spirits? Come along for a one-hour “Ghosts and Spirits” Haunted Walking Tour in historic, downtown Camas at 6 p.m. or 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21. Space on both tours is limited. The cost is $15 per person, and registration is required. The tours, presented by White Light Paranormal Insight, will blend paranormal stories and downtown Camas history. The tour begins at Camas Gallery, finishes at Salud Wine Bar, where guests will get treats, two “spirited” beverages and more stories. The tour will include stops at the Georgia Pacific Mill, Camas Antiques, Arktana and more. To register, or for more information, visit www.downtowncamas.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., Tuesday, 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. From 6 to 7:30 p.m., there will be games and crafts, a photo booth, food and refreshments, a cake walk and visitors can sign up for giveaways, including a Fire HD 10-inch tablet with Alexa and a Fire HD 7-inch tablet with Alexa. From 7:30 to 8 p.m., there will be a costume parade for the children, indoor trick-or-treating and giveaway winners will be announced. For more information, call 360-833-3321. Bootacular Halloween at Vancouver Mall The Vancouver Mall, at 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive, continues its annual Halloween tradition with a trick-or-treat event from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31. Guests ages 12 and younger are invited to trick-or-treat at their favorite participating Vancouver Mall stores. After bags are filled, there will be Halloween themed games and crafts on the lower level of the mall’s H&M Court. Not all stores participate in the trick-or-treating event. Participating retailers will have a sign at their door/kiosk. Candy is available while supplies last. For more information, visit www.shopvancouvermall.com.

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