There’s all kinds of Halloween fun available on the coast this weekend and lasting through Tuesday

By LINDA TURNER GRIEPENTROG/Oregon Coast TODAY

Ghosts, goblins and witches, oh my! ‘Tis the season for spooky adventures of all kinds to celebrate Halloween. But, how did this spellbinding event really start?

The holiday began in the 17th Century as a Celtic festival celebrating the end of summer and the beginning of harvest season. During this time, the gods became visible to mortals and would play tricks on them. Costumes, most often animal skins, were used to help keep the evil spirits at bay.

In the early 1900s, Halloween came to North America. Working class families would visit the homes of the rich asking for “soul cakes” in trade for prayers for lost loved ones, and the promise of no trickery.

Today, according to the National Retail Federation, Halloween spending will top $12.2 billion, with 73 percent of Americans planning to celebrate. Average per-person spending on this ghostly endeavor is predicted to be $108.24, with the largest percentage spent on costumes.

This year’s favorite costume trends are, no surprise, Barbie and Ken. But the classics are still popular — ghosts and goblins, witches, pirates and cartoon characters.

Recent years have seen the rise of Trunk-or-Treat events — a grouping of cars in a particular spot like a school parking lot all with trunks bedecked for the holiday and owners handing out treats to costumed kiddos. This creates a safe trick-or-treating alternative than going door to door in the neighborhood.

So, not only does Halloween have a long history, but it can be a huge amount of fun. Check out some coastal events you might want to attend.

Yachats, Saturday, Oct. 28

• Yachats downtown Trick-or-Treat: 3-5 p.m. This spooky trail starts at the Yachats Ladies Club on Pontiac Street and continues on to the library at 560 W. Seventh St. and then to the Yachats Commons. Stop along the way at businesses with a pumpkin in their window.

Waldport, Saturday, Oct. 28

• Trunk or Treat: Foursquare Church, 4-6 pm, 480 North Bay St.
• Trunk or Treat: Waldport Community Center, 6-7:30 p.m., 265 E. Hemlock St.

Lincoln City

Friday, Oct. 27

• Halloween Costume Party, Nokturnal, for ages 21 and over. 9:30 p.m., 1330 N.E. Hwy. 101.

Saturday, Oct. 28

• Halloween Costume Party, Beach Club & Event Center, 8 p.m., 2020 N.E. 22nd St.
• Halloween Costume Party Extravaganza, Vin & Bräu at The Pines; 7 p.m. to midnight, 5040 S.E. Hwy. 101. $15.
• Haunted Taft, Sapphire Center: Discover some of the coast’s spookiest tales in this bay front ghost tour. $25. 7 p.m., 4840 S.E. Hwy. 101. For the complete schedule and to purchase tickets, go to www.HauntedTaft.com.
• Scream Halloween Party, Chinook Winds Casino Resort: A grown-ups’ night of club music, adult beverages and a costume contest, offering a share of $2,000 for the best male, best female, best duo, funniest and casino’s choice. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 31

• Trick or Treat, Driftwood Public Library, 3-5 pm, 801 S.W. Highway 101.
• Trick or Treat, Lincoln City Community Center, 3-5 p.m., 2150 N.E. Oar Place.
• Lincoln City Outlets: Find candy, games and lots of fun on this walk-through experience, located in the lower parking garage. 5-7:30 p.m., 1500 S.E. East Devils Lake Road.

Gleneden Beach

Saturday, Oct. 28

• Halloween Costume Party, Fishing Rock Eatery: Eat, drink and be scary at this Halloween bash, featuring live music from Old Peculier and Sitka. 6-10 p.m., 3245 Hwy. 101.

Sunday, Oct. 29

• Trick or Treat at Salishan Marketplace: A target-rich environment for candy acquisition, with an art gallery, toy store, candy shop, bakery, clothing and home wares boutique, outdoor adventure shop, fitness club and café all taking part from noon to 4 p.m., 7755 Hwy. 101.

Tuesday, Oct. 31

• Trunk or Treat, Gleneden Beach Community Hall: Visit the decorated cars and snap up some candy for the road. 5-6 p.m., 110 Azalea St.
• Halloween at Gleneden Beach Community Hall: An adult party complete with costume contest, sweet and savory treat bar, photo booth, fortune telling and a host of spooky activities. Beer and wine for sale. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 110 Azalea St.

Newport

Saturday, Oct. 28

• Halloween Bash, Primaltones Community Venue: All ages 7-10 p.m; over 21 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., 2925 S.E. Ferry Slip Road. Donations appreciated.

Sunday, Oct. 29

• Trunk or Treat, Newport Foursquare Church: 5-6:30 pm, 225 N.W. 15th St.
• Trunk ‘R Treat, Northwest Nazarene Church: 5-7 p.m., 227 N.W. 12th St.

South Beach

Oct. 27-28 and Oct. 31

• Forest of Freaks: Get chilled to the bone at this open-air haunted house. Venture into the dark forest and hear screams and creatures from the night howl as the dead leaves fall from above. $8. 8-10 p.m., 116th Street and Dogwood.

Toledo

Tuesday, Oct 31

• Trick-or-Treat Main Street: A chance for kids to go from store to store to get candy and also explore vehicles like fire trucks police cruisers, dump trucks and more. 3:30-6 p.m.