Unusual West Seattle “haunt”; more jack-o-lanterns
While looking online for the legends of “haunted West Seattle,” the most unusual one we came across was … the Rite-Aid on California between Alaska and Morgan Junctions. Scroll to the 4th entry under “Seattle area” on this page. (It’s right below a much-better-known allegedly haunted WS spot, the Rainbow House.) Any favorite lesser-known haunts to share? Meantime – more jack-o-lanterns; first, “pumpkitties” from Margelyn:
And these two are from Kevin — a witch with cauldron, followed by “a tree that wishes you happiness”:
Still time to send yours; we’ll post more during Halloween night.
“West Seattle Art Attack” caught on camera
OK, maybe “caught on camera” isn’t entirely the best phrase, since this photo (and others) came from “West Seattle Art Attack” him/herself — and proves they have accomplices — shown here at one of the five houses where they say they left pumpkins last night. (Catch up on what this is all about by reading yesterday’s first post and later update.) Ahead, see if you recognize the four other distinctively decorated homes “hit” last night — plus, beneath the photos, one caveat from WSAA:Read More
Halloween’s here: West Seattle highlights
(Jack-o-lanterns designed by Ryan & Abby, carved by Lisa & Abby) The big day/night has arrived. Many Halloween happenings are on our WSB Events page; some biggies include:
MORE BUSINESS TRICK-OR-TREATING: The merchants of the Admiral District are offering treats 3-6 pm today; Westwood Village businesses are welcoming trick-or-treaters 5-7 pm.
GROWNUP FUN: Many WS establishments are partying tonight, including Skylark, where the “Come as You Aren’t” Battle of the Bands sounds like a hoot (full lineup here); and northeast West Seattle will be alive with the sights and sounds of Skeleton Theatre, 6-9 pm.
HIGH POINT HAPS: Check out the full list on the Events page – some great stuff going on in West Seattle’s award-winning development, including a canine costume contest at 7:30.
LATER: We’ll be mentioning some legendary West Seattle haunts, including the most unlikely-sounding one we’ve come across so far. Save your faves for comments on that post!
Last pumpkins of the night
Before Halloween Eve makes way for Halloween … more pumpkin pix. First, call it the ultimate glass pumpkin — outlined in the windows of the WaMu Center, visible from West Seattle’s north- and east-facing shore – several people sent us photos (thank you SO much!!!!) – this one’s from Allie:
Now a few more jack-o-lanterns from WSB-land, starting with these from Cori and Keith:
Here we have Claire‘s pumpkin:
And from the Heck Family:
Thanks to everybody who’s shared their pumpkin creations with us and the rest of WSB-land … more to come tomorrow (and you can still e-mail us your pix!).
Halloween countdown update, plus jack-o-lanterns with an edge
HALLOWEEN COUNTDOWN: Fun stuff happening around West Seattle tonight, including Costume Karaoke at Skylark; check the WSB Events page for more.
JACK-O-LANTERN WATCH: Thanks for sending in the pumpkin photos — keep ’em coming; even after this batch we have more left, but we’ll get them all in before Halloween has come and gone. Our theme this time — jack-o-lanterns with an edge (to say the least). First, we have Luckie‘s cutely cannibalistic creation:
The other two “edgy” jack-o-lanterns are even more PG-13 so our dainty sensibilities are leading us to put them a click off the home page — YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!Read More
Halloween countdown: Skeleton Theatre site, HP jack-o-lanterns
Two nights till Halloween! As we count down … first, a photo from what promises to be one of the wildest Halloween night events in West Seattle (and it continues the night AFTER Halloween as well) — Skeleton Theatre at 36th & Hanford. This free neighborhood production drew thousands last year; this year, the Skeleton Theatre team has a website up with lots of info about the show, the people, when and where to see it. And they sent this cool photo:
And we continue showcasing the pumpkin photos you’re sending. In honor of the High Point award mentioned earlier, here are three jack-o-lanterns by a family in HP — first by Rachel; next by Galen; then, by Michael (more later!):
The 12th pumpkin
From the inbox (keep those pumpkin pix coming) — Seahawks had the week off but Michael in North Admiral keeps the spirit alive:
MIDNIGHT ADDITION: Dave in Westwood says he spent the “bye week” productively too:
Jampacked Junction trick-or-treating
(Hi! If you are finding this post because of a 2008 search for Junction Trick-or-Treat info: the event is Saturday, October 25, 1-3 pm; we have tons more Halloween – and winter holiday – event info here – thanks!)
(Original 2007 post follows) As you can see in this photo looking up the sidewalk along California, north from Easy Street — it was elbow-to-elbow, mask-to-mask for this afternoon’s Junction trick-or-treating:
Along that stretch, the treat scene outside Coffee to a Tea with Sugar:
And it seems the Hi-Yu Parade is not the only time you can spot pirates in The Junction’s walk-all-ways intersection:
More business trick-or-treating coming up on Halloween — Admiral merchants 3-6 pm, Westwood Village 5-7 pm (these and other Halloween night events here).
Butternut squash, not just for soup
The most unusual something-o-lantern we saw while out on a long walk today:
If you’ve got a great something-o-lantern (traditional pumpkins are great, too), send us a photo, or if you see something awesomely Halloweenish but don’t have a camera, send us the location, since we’ll be out and about taking pix, too.
West Seattle Halloween highlights today
Halloween itself may not be till Wednesday but you’d never know that with all the activities this weekend. (Some calendar synergy finally comes into play next year when it’s on Friday, and 2009 on Saturday.) You can see the full list in the latest edition of the WSB West Seattle Weekend Lineup, but here are more of today’s highlights (graced by good weather, too!):
SPIDER-POWERED CARS: Happening 10 am-1 pm @ Hotwire Coffee on the north edge of The Junction, cool Halloween craftmaking to benefit animal rescuers.
TRICK OR TREAT IN THE JUNCTION: Big fun expected throughout the business district in the heart of West Seattle, 1-3 pm.
HALLOWEEN IN THE FOREST: Two sessions tonight @ Camp Long.
FAMILY REUNION IN HELL: At Skylark, starting at 9 pm.
WHO’S MORE HALLOWEENISH THAN ‘BAT BOY’? ArtsWest presents a special late performance tonight at 11 (in addition to the regular show at 7:30).
Hallo-weekend begins
Every city-run community center in West Seattle had a Halloween/Fall carnival tonight; we stopped briefly at Southwest Community Center to check out the decor:
The signature event at the adjacent Southwest Pool happens this Sunday — a Halloween family swim at 2 pm, with pool games including the chance to swim among floating pumpkins. (Family swim means kids under 12 must have parents in the water with them, regardless of how well the kids can swim.) Tomorrow afternoon, it’s West Seattle’s best-known Halloween event — trick-or-treating in The Junction, 1-3 pm. See the WSB West Seattle Weekend Lineup for dozens more fun options. Side note, one thing that’s got us a shade unsettled this weekend — the Saturday night before Halloween is traditionally the night the clocks get set back, but not this year (good news for partiers); that’ll happen on Saturday night 11/3 (technically Sunday morning 11/4).
Halloween countdown
**FINDING THIS FROM GOOGLE IN 2009? CLICK THE HALLOWEEN TAB ABOVE FOR NEW INFO**
For everyone making Halloween plans: We’re adding West Seattle Halloween-related happenings to our Events page 
as fast as we can find ’em. Less than three weeks now till the big night, but all the major organized fun happens the weekend of the 26-27-28, including Trick or Treat in The Junction on Saturday 10/27 and pumpkin decorating @ the WS Farmers’ Market on Sunday 10/28. Got a Halloween event that’s not on our page? Let us know!
Happy Independence Day!
The big day is here! Your options include:
-Admiral Kids’ Parade, starts 10:30 am, 1100 block of 44th (more details at the end of this post).
-Burien Fourth of July parade, starts 3 pm @ 152nd SW/SW 6th.
–Fourth of Jul-Ivar’s fireworks over Elliott Bay, 10 pm-“ish,” visible from much of WS (remember, Ivar was a West Seattleite!).
-Remember the Water Taxi if you’re going downtown.
-WSB readers shared some of their Fourth of July faves here.
Have a wondrous holiday; happy 231st birthday to “us” all.
Early fireworks
If you can’t wait till tomorrow night to see fireworks — catch a ferry, cross the Sound, and go to Fireworks on the Fjord in Poulsbo tonight. The fireworks follow an all-day festival, with food and music and all the classic summer stuff. (If you’re worried about parking, try the shuttle buses.)
Just say no to fireworks
Time for a reminder about fireworks: Inside the Seattle city limits, they’re off-limits — yes, even though you can buy them a stone’s throw away in White Center (they’re legal in unincorporated King County and fireworks stands were allowed to start selling them as of yesterday). If you plan to buy some and fire them off where it’s legal, note that you’re only allowed to do that on the 4th of July.
What’s your favorite WS 4th of July tradition?
One week till the 4th of July! Even if you don’t want to tell the world about your “secret spot” for fireworks watching — we would love to hear about any WS 4th of July traditions you don’t mind sharing — fireworks related, or not. (We’ll start: We love to watch the fireworks from the seawall by the Alki Bathhouse — not only can you see the Jul-Ivar’s show on Elliott Bay, you can see some of the Lake Union fireworks peeking up behind the east flank of Queen Anne Hill, and often some fireworks from the other side of the Sound.)
Happy Flag Day
From the north end of Delridge, West Seattle’s mega-flag:
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