6AM City In-house

You gotta boo what you gotta boo đŸ‘»

Spooky Halloween activities around Portland, OR
Fake headstones surrounded by yellow fall leaves on a sloping field with trees.
Admire the spook-tacular display (and punny headstones) at Davis Graveyard in Milwaukie. | Photo by @teaseyoursenses
Shadows are growing longer and a chill has crept into the evening air, which can only mean one thing: the spookiest days of the year are at hand.

Portland is rolling out the misty carpet for those looking for a fright this October. We found a ghost-load of themed activities to try, from whimsical neighborhood displays to scare-your-pants-off haunted houses. So say “trick or treat” and reach into the bowl — life’s no fun without a good scare.

Bonus: Check out our interactive map here.

Haunted Corn Maze | Bella Organic Farm, 16205 NW Gillihan Rd.
Get lost in acres of corn — in the dark — and try to find your way out while being stalked by... something (our money’s on aliens).

Fearlandia | 10860 SW Barnes Rd.
Unsuspecting victims have two walk-through experiences to choose from: “Night Terrors” and “CarnEvil.” A family friendly “Not as Scary Day” will be held Sun., Oct. 23, during the blessed daylight hours.

A large Jack-o-lantern like that from the movie "Halloweentown" is perched on a short pillar in front of St. Helens City Hall under a dark, stormy sky.

Take a short drive north to St. Helens, aka “Halloweentown.”

Photo by @shehikesthepnw


ScareGrounds PDX | Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way
Scream your way through three haunted houses (a cinema of horrors, a paranormal manor, and a nightmarish museum). Amusement rides, food and drinks, and fireworks will round out a truly over-stimulating night.

Underhill Haunted House | Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 N. Ramsay Way
Descend into the dark basement to subject yourself to three horrific haunted houses. Younger visitors are invited to the Kids Monster Fest.

The Fear PDX | 12219 NE Glisan St.
Nothing scares you, you say? Report back after visiting Portland’s self-proclaimed scariest haunted house.
5 MORE LOCAL HAUNTS
Celtic Axe Throwers

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Thursday, October 13
  • “The Last White Man” | Thu., Oct. 13 - Sun., Oct. 30 | Times vary | The Vault Theatre, 350 E. Main St., Hillsboro | $20.00 - $35.00 | In this play-within-a-play, three successive actors fight their way through Shakespeare’s longest and most challenging role: Hamlet.
  • Secret Roller Disco | Thu., Oct. 13 | 7-9 p.m. | Irvington Elementary School, 1320 NE Brazee St., Portland | Free | Bring a costume (and your skates) for this collaboration on CIB Portland’s annual Halloween Costume Roll Out.
Friday, October 14
  • “Midsummer Night’s Dream” | Fri., Oct. 14 - Sun., Oct. 16 | Times vary | Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., Portland | Magic and merriment abound in this joyful fall program celebrating family life.
  • Portland Retro Gaming Expo | Fri., Oct. 14 - Sun., Oct. 16 | Times vary | Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland | $15.00 - $95.00 | Fans of 8-bit side-scrollers and top-downs from the early days of console, computer, and arcade gaming will level up at this event where all the games are set to free play.
Saturday, October 15
Sunday, October 16
  • Everclear | Sun., Oct. 16 | 8 p.m. | Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St., Portland | $35.00 - $45.00 | Find out why everything is wonderful now.
Monday, October 17
  • Black Lagoon Pop-Up Bar | Mon., Oct. 17 - Mon., Oct. 31 | 9 p.m. | Hey Love, 920 E. Burnside St., Portland | Free | Sip on otherworldly concoctions at this “creepy-as-hell” Halloween pop-up bar.
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
MORE TREATS, NO TRICKS
6AM City In-house

Weather
  • 83Âș | Sunny | 4% chance of rain
  • Hope you didn’t pack away your shorts just yet. The first 10 days of October were the warmest in Portland’s recorded history thanks to easterly winds and very little rain, according to the National Weather Service. The weather is expected to stay warm and dry for at least the next week. (OPB)
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 7:24 a.m.
  • Set: 6:28 p.m.
Festival
  • The Jewish Music Fest is happening today from 5-8 p.m. at Pioneer Courthouse Square, celebrating Portland’s Jewish community and the upcoming Sukkot holiday. All are welcome at the ticketed event, which will feature live music from 8th Day, food, kids’ activities, and an inflatable obstacle course for adults. (KOIN)
Community
  • Residents of the St. Johns and Kenton neighborhoods can get rid of large household items for free on Sat., Oct. 22 — aka the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability’s Dumpster Day. Drop off furniture, lumber, small appliances, microwaves, and mattresses from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Roosevelt High School. ♻
Traffic
  • “Major roads in the city and the downtown area will be impacted” during President Biden’s planned visit on Fri., Oct. 14, according to the Portland Police Bureau. Drivers should plan on short delays during the late afternoon and evening hours. 🚩
Edu
Arts
  • “It’s really for public joy.” The PDX Free Little Art Gallery near Southeast 57th Avenue and Rhone Street has transformed with the season, going “full Yayoi Kusama.” During the month of October, community members are invited to leave their very small pieces of art in the miniature sidewalk diorama. đŸ–Œïž (OPB)
Seasonal
  • Fancy yourself a rather skilled carver of gourds? Our homegrown stop-motion animation studio is hosting the LAIKA Pumpkin Carving Contest in celebration of the 10th anniversary of its film, “ParaNorman.” Enter your carving by posting on social media by Tues., Nov. 1, for a chance to win a prize. 🎃
History
  • Sixty years ago, the Columbus Day Storm slammed into Northern California and proceeded to carve a path of destruction north into Canada, leaving 50 people dead and damaging as many trees as Oregon and Washington’s combined annual tree harvest. Portland General Electric said 98% of customers lost power. (OPB)

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Going out on a limb đŸŒČ

Portland Parks & Recreation is giving away 2,000 free trees this fall
A person loads a leafy tree into the back of a small pickup at the first 2022 PP&R Yard Tree Giveaway event at Mt Tabor Park.
The Urban Forestry Department offers tree delivery and planting for those who need some help. | Photo by Portland Parks & Recreation
Imagine a town crier standing on a street corner, proclaiming to the people of Portland: “Free trees, get ‘yer free tree-ees.” The town crier part is wishful thinking, but the free trees are real — and Portland Parks and Recreation is giving away a small forest’s worth.

For six years now, the city’s Urban Forestry department has distributed young trees to residents through the Yard Tree Giveaway. To date, the annual program has bequeathed 5,000+ trees to Portlanders, free of charge.

This year’s program — spread across six community events — will distribute 2,000 trees representing 21 species. People living within city limits are eligible for up to two trees to plant on private property. The giveaway events, which are supported by the Parks Local Option Levy, are focused near neighborhoods with the highest temperatures and fewest trees (aka “heat islands”) in the hopes of increasing tree canopy.

After registering online, people can choose the best time to pick up their trees, mulch, and watering bucket at one of the three remaining Saturday events between Oct. 15-Nov. 5.

Go bananas over these foodie brands 🍌

Go bananas over these 30+ foodie brands
4AVL-foodie-brands-SHOP
Just one of these local, specialty foods on your table will impress your dinner guests. | Graphic by PDXtoday
We polled City Editors across our parent company, 6AM City, about foodie brands they love. The result? A list of mouthwatering food products ranging from SC Lowcountry’s favorite biscuits to a line of vegan dipping sauces that hail from San Diego.

Bitchin’ Sauce (San Diego, CA) | A line of creamy, almond-based dips that pair well with all of your favorite savory foods. | We love: Chipotle Bitchin’ Sauce

Dave’s Killer Bread (Portland, OR) | Breads, bagels, english muffins, and hamburger buns packed with whole grains and organic ingredients. | We love: Raisin’ the Roof cinnamon raisin bread

Pluto Bakery (Sacramento, CA) | Handmade cakes, pastries, and other sweet treats with vegan, gluten-free, egg-free, and nut-free options. | We love: Vegan Red Velvet Cake

Spicewalla (Asheville, NC) | This company uses small-batch shipping to create fresher, more potent spice blends. | We love: The Essential Spices and Seasonings 10 Pack
27 MORE FOODIE BRANDS
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Cambrie.

Editor’s pick: Full disclosure — I have never been to a haunted house (unless you count the one at Enchanted Forest). I’m a total wimp when it comes to things jumping out of the shadows at me... and scary movies in general. But if Frank Herbert taught me anything it’s that fear is the mind-killer, so I may try one of the less terrifying haunted house experiences this month. Please send cough drops and happy thoughts.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We couldn’t help ourselves — we entertained the idea of landing a WNBA team.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Cambrie Juarez, Ben McBee, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Terri Kiesenhofer | Advertise with us.

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