This year Halloween falls on a Saturday. That comes as a welcome relief for many Portland parents, who won’t have to drag sugar-sluggish kids out of bed the next morning. It also means that our neighborhood—a favorite trick-or-treat destination—will probably get hit with even crazier crowds of costumed kiddos. If you’re on a popular street, take a deep breath, flip on those outside lights, and get a bigger bowl.
On my block, the Portland Bureau of Transportation has already replaced the old street lights with new LED as part of the city’s largest–ever energy efficiency project. The new lights are brighter, last four times longer, and use half the energy of the old bulbs. The effect is full-moon brightness, perfect for illuminating sidewalks crawling with ghosts and goblins. It also means safer streets all around. (The city seems to be ahead of schedule with replacements, but if you haven’t seen LEDs yet, your street lights should be replaced by November.)
If you’re looking to escape the ceaseless ring of the doorbell this year, leave a cauldron of candy on your porch and head to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. They’ve got a killer (pun intended!) Halloween line-up: Denver-based pop duo Tennis opens for bluesy-funky-folk artist Shakey Graves from Austin, Texas. Followers of the Oregon music scene may have seen him at Pickathon in 2014.
Of course there are myriad ways to celebrate the spooky season all over the city, from pumpkin patches and corn mazes to spooky Portland walking tours and the annual Run Like Hell half-marathon and kids’ half-miler. Portland Parks and Recreation also puts on costume carnivals and family festivals at PP&R Community Centers; Peninsula Park and Matt Dishman are good bets for NE residents. My personal favorite only-in-Portland Halloween event: The Tour of Untimely Departures at Lone Fir Cemetery. Be prepared for some mature topics (like, um, death) and reserve your tickets early.
For those who plan to trick-or-treat, Portland Police Bureau usually posts a few safety tips for trick-or-treaters on their Facebook page. Remind kids to please:
- Trick or treat with an adult
- Wear reflective tape
- Carry a glow stick or flashlight
- Don’t dart out into the street, especially from between cars.
And while we shouldn’t need these reminders, here are two more for adults:
- Don’t speed in residential areas (for real, slow up!)
- Don’t drive impaired (a seriously bad idea).
Whatever your plans, I hope you and your family have a safe, sugar-coated, screaming good time!