A family urges their youngest member to grab a treat from a basket while out trick-or-treating last year in Centralia.
With Halloween night forecast to be colder and wetter than most years, children, if not their parents, might not be willing to walk in search of the best tricks and treats.
Due to that, the Trick or Transit service provided by Twin Transit from 3-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday may become more popular than ever before.
Twin Transit will be offering free rides between the Lewis County Historical Museum, the Twin City Town Center in Chehalis and the Fairway Shopping Center in Centralia. Kids will be able to trick-or-treat at each stop before catching a bus to their next destination.
The event began in 2012 with a single trolley to shuttle children and their guardians between stops. Now it takes two Twin Transit buses to keep the lines moving. In keeping with the theme of the evening, many bus drivers and business owners wear costumes. Children are encouraged but not required to dress up before embarking on the public transit candy circuit.
Trick or Transit is but one of many all-ages events planned in Lewis County to commemorate the spookiest night of the year. Others that caught the eye of Chronicle staff include the following:
• Fall Fest at Bethel Church is scheduled to take place from 6-8 p.m. at the church, which is located 132 Kirkland Road in Chehalis. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged, which a number of prizes to be awarded for standout attire. Games ranging from carnival-style contests to inflatable obstacle courses will be available at the free event, as will plenty of candy. This event is for children ages 1-12. Call 360-748-0119 for more information.
• Mandi McDougall Photography located at 401 N. Tower Ave. in Centralia will take portraits of children in Halloween costumes for $10 from 3-6 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Preston Roth, a child who is battling brain cancer. Digital photo files will be shared with families within the next week. Cash or checks only, no credit or debit cards. Call 360-827-1609 for more information.
• The Scary-Nights Haunted house in Bucoda will end its 2018 run by trying to put a fright into as many people as possible from 7-10 p.m. The house, which is actually a gym located at 403 N. Tenant St. in Bucoda, is not meant for the faint of heart. Organizers recommend children under 10 stay home and that patrons consider their terror threshold before buying a nonrefundable ticket. General admission tickets run $12, $11 if you bring two cans of food to donate. An extra $8 will allow a person to skip what’s sure to be a long line. Call 425-327-9400 for more information.
• Acclaimed illusionist Ben Robinson will be performing an hourlong magic show beginning at 5 p.m. at Red Barn Studios located at 207 Goff Road in Chehalis. Tickets cost $5 per child and $10 for an adult, but children get in for free if they wear a costume. The entire event runs from 4-7 p.m. and will feature free face painting, activities, games and prizes. Pizza by the slice and drinks will be available for $1 apiece. All proceeds will benefit the Discover! Children’s Museum. Call 360-219-6525 for more information.
• The Centralia Downtown Association is running its annual Downtown Trick or Treat event from 3-6 p.m. Patrons are encouraged to look for businesses with pumpkins on their doors that signify they’re part of the festivities. Other Twin Cities locations opening their doors to trick or treaters include, but are not limited to the Centralia Outlets (4-7 p.m.), The Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library (3-5:30 p.m.), Cooks Hill Community Church (special needs children from 5-6 p.m.; everyone from 6-8 p.m.).
