Whitefish's Halloween costume contest revived
There are lots of spook-tacular festivities happening over the next week.
For the kids, the annual free Trick-or-Treat Street starts at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, in downtown Whitefish. Merchants along Central Avenue and across town will transform their shops and hand out candy, including Stumptown’s ‘Haunted’ Art Studio. The Whitefish Pilot office will be handing out treats at 3 p.m. as well.
At night, the legendary, hauntingly old tradition of the Whitefish Halloween costume party and pub crawl returns for the first time since before COVID.
The adult festivities begin at 7 p.m. with check-in at the Firebrand Hotel and Tupelo Grill, where costume contestants, including individuals and groups, must register to be judged. The cost is $5 for individuals or $20 for a group.
From 7 – 9:30 p.m., contestants will make rounds to seven participating bars to be judged. Stops include the Firebrand, Tupelo, Blackstar, Craggy Range, Herb & Omni and the Whitefish VFW, with awards presented at Thirty-Eight at 10 p.m. Spectators do not have to register to join the fun and can stop by at any location.
Clydesdale Outpost has their last haunted hayrides of the season on Oct. 25 and 26. For more information, visit www.clydesdaleoutpost.com/haunted-hayride.
The Whitefish Theatre Company is not hosting a haunted house at the O’Shaughnessey Center this year due to limited resources but have said they hope to return for spooks next year.
However, for the first time this ever, Glacier Zipline is offering the terrifying ‘Glacier Gallows’ fright trail deep in the forest in Columbia Falls.
Many of the actors hired to terrify customers came from Flathead Valley Community College and local high schools who already had a background in drama and theater, said Leah McCormick, one of the organizers of Glacier Gallows.
Portions of the proceeds from the Glacier Gallows go to the Flathead Food Bank and the Montana Veterans Home. For information and to purchase tickets visit www.glaciergallows.com.
A few other close-by festivities around the Valley include:
The Glacier Range Riders hold a Trunk or Treat event at Glacier Bank Park on Oct. 26 from 1-3 p.m. The Glacier Hot Rod Association will provide the trunks. The first 350 kids receive free trick-or-treat bags.
The Glacier Queer Alliance holds a Monster Mash Halloween Party at the Eagles Bar, 37 First St. W. in Kalispell, on Oct. 26 for those 21 years and older. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
The Kalispell Elks Lodge, 139 First Ave. W., is holding a Pumpkin Carving Party on Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Depot Park Pumpkin Stroll runs Oct. 26-31 at Depot Park in downtown Kalispell. Pumpkins will be on display at the Kalispell Parks and Recreation building and visitors can vote for their favorite. Carved pumpkins are being accepted for the stroll on Oct. 24-25 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The United Way is holding a Trunk or Treat and Haunted House fundraising event for Halloween at the Gateway Community Center, 1203 U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. The free Trunk or Treat and kid-friendly haunted yard is Oct. 31 from 5-6 p.m. The grown-up Haunted House is Oct. 31 and Nov. 2 from 7-10 p.m. A $5 donation per person is required for entry into the adult haunted house. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
In Kalispell, the Kalispell Fire and Police hold a Trunk or Treat at Fire Station 61 on the corner of First Avenue East and Fourth Street East from 5-8 p.m. The event includes fire station tours and a chance to meet Sparky the Fire Dog.
The Conrad Mansion, 330 Woodland Ave., in Kalispell welcomes trick-or-treaters from 5-8 p.m.
Three Kalispell spots hold Trunk or Treat events on Oct. 31. Faith Church, 405 Liberty St., from 4:45-6 p.m.; St. Matthew’s, 602 S. Main St., from 5-8 p.m.; Trinity Lutheran School, 495 5th Ave. WN, 6-7 p.m.
Halloween at The Hub at 533 First Ave. E. in Columbia Falls on Oct. 31 includes a haunted stroll through an abandoned asylum, along with crafts, games and food. The event runs from 3-8 p.m.
A Halloween coffin costume in 1979. 
A Halloween field trip in 1996.
Halloween in downtown Whitefish in 1982.
Halloween cats in downtown Whitefish in 1986.