1. Hot off the press
Take a drive through the woods on Oct. 26 and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery at Cedar Creek Grist Mill’s Apple Cider Pressing, when about 10,000 pounds of apples will be pressed into that golden ambrosia known as apple cider. The pressing starts at about 9 a.m., and goes until apples run out, any time from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The best part? Kids can help crank the cider presses, assisted by volunteers — who will also be happy to answer questions about the water-powered mill, located east of Woodland at 43907 N.E. Grist Mill Road. (Guests are welcome to take home free bags of freshly ground flour and cornmeal, along with recipes.) While you’re there, enjoy (or join!) the live bluegrass jam on the back porch. Half-gallon jugs of cider are $4, limit two per adult. www.cedarcreekgristmill.org
2. If you’ve got it, haunt it
Enjoy a creepy yet educational Haunted Walking Tour of downtown Vancouver, with two tours every day at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. from Oct. 25 through 30. The mile-long guided tours are a mix of stories, historical research and personal experiences, as well as tantalizing tidbits of terror from Pat Jollota’s book, “Darkness Next Door.” Tours depart rain or shine from the Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. Here’s another frightfully fun fact: Group walking tours are available year-round by appointment. They make a memorable family outing, company party or birthday celebration (best for ages 10 and up). To buy tickets or book your private tours, call 360-993-5679 or visit cchmuseum.ejoinme.org/haunted-walking-tours. Tickets are $18.
3. Get in the spirit
Looking for a safe, warm and dry place to take your little ghouls and goblins trick-or-treating? Then trick-or-treat yourself to the annual Halloween Fright Night, 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31 at Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground. The free event features family games, prizes and plenty of treats. In addition to popular Halloween-themed carnival games (geared toward kids ages 3 to 10), Fright Night is adding two new activities: the Haunted Hollow, a goosebump-inducing experience for kids 10 and older produced by the Battle Ground High School Drama Club Boosters; and Halloween Story Time, a friendly, barely scary story reading for younger children. 360-342-5380 or www.cityofbg.org/785/Fright-Night
4. Dance the fright away
If trick-or-treating isn’t your bag of tricks, you might opt for a little grown-up fun at the VanPort Jazz Pre-Halloween Costume Dance, 7:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Drive, Vancouver. This 18-and-older event features big band jazz that’s just right for devil-may-care dancing. Wear your most spooktacular costume and come at 6:30 p.m. for a dance lesson with Joseph and Julieann Platt, then keep your spirits up through the evening with light refreshments, raffle drawings and prizes. Tickets are $21 at squareup.com/store/vanport-jazz, or email vanportjazz@gmail.com. For those who’d like to stay the night, the Heathman Lodge is offering a discounted rate; call 360-254-3100 for reservations.
