The autumn leaves are falling in droves, blanketing Sandpoint in festive red and gold, which can only mean one thing: It’s time for Halloween. As always, Bonner County is ready to celebrate with live music, trunk-or-treating and plenty of other spooky activities to satisfy all the costumed creatures that go bump in the night.
Oct. 30
R.I.P. RV Park
Kicking off the festivities, the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce will host a Halloween-themed ribbon-cutting for its new member, R.I.P. RV Park (464399 U.S. 95, in Sagle). The celebration begins at 1 p.m. with the grand opening and open house, followed by a trunk-or-treat around the park from 3-5 p.m. The evening will include free appetizers and plenty of candy.
Fright Night
Courtesy photo.
Afterward, head over to the Sandpoint Community Center (204 S. First Ave.) for the third annual Fright Night — a free community metal and hard rock concert and costume contest. Sandpoint’s own metalcore band Every Dying Breath will headline, with additional performances by BakLip, Congeal, Gravity Rock Band and A Void Dead. Don your best Halloween costume for a chance to win a $100 grand prize, and give back to the community by bringing a donation for the Sandpoint Lion’s Club Toys for Tots fundraiser. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and admission costs $15. Learn more at everydyingbreath.com.
Hogwild Halloween
If metal isn’t your style, the Hive (207 N. First Ave.) is having a “Hogwild Halloween” with local rockin’ country band Hogwire. The 21+ party will begin at 7 p.m. with line dancing lessons, after which you can show off your new moves during the live music (in costume, of course). The best dress will win a prize, so don’t show up in your regular cowboy boots. Tickets are $5 for the concert or $15 with the dance lessons at livefromthehive.com.
Oct. 31
Pumpkin painting
There’s no end to events on Halloween day (and night). Barrel 33 (100 N. First Ave.) leads the charge from 2-4 p.m. with a pumpkin painting party. Bring a pumpkin and the wine bar will supply the art supplies, free of charge. Afterward, stick around for a bite to eat until 6 p.m. when the Halloween party and costume contest begins. Learn more at barrel33sandpoint.com.
Downtown Candy Walk
At the same time, members of the Historic Sandpoint Shopping District will be awaiting trick-or-treaters of all ages for the annual Candy Walk from 3-5:30 p.m. Find a list of participating businesses at sandpointdowntownshopping.com/candy-walk.
Lions Trunk-or-Treat
As evening descends and costumed kiddos flood the streets, families can stop by the Sandpoint Lions Club’s Trunk-or-Treat (609 S. Ella Ave.) to pick up some extra candy. Festivities will begin at 4 p.m. Just an hour later, the Veterans of Foreign Wars will host their own trunk-or-treat at the Sandpoint VFW Hall (1325 Pine St.) for all ages. Across the city, Christ Our Redeemer Church is mixing things up with a Halloween “warming station” at 1900 Pine St. From 4-8 p.m., the church will be offering trick-or-treaters warm drinks, mac ’n’ cheese and seats around the fire pits to stave off the chilly night air.
Treat or Treasure
Gather free goodies from a variety of booths at both locations of The Rusty Trunk Vintage and Antique store, 875 Kootenai Cutoff Road in Ponderay or 6127 Main St. in Bonners Ferry. Kids of all ages are welcome from 2-5 p.m., with the first 30 people receiving a free trick-or-treat bag.
Halloween parties
Partiers will have their pick of live music throughout Sandpoint as well. Connie’s Cafe and Lounge will start the evening off at 6:30 with a party and children’s costume contest, but the real fun begins at 8 p.m. with the adults-only celebration. The dance party will run nonstop until 11 p.m., but drop by at 10 p.m. to participate in the costume contest. Meanwhile, beginning at 8 p.m., Eichardt’s Pub (212 Cedar St.) is opening its doors for A Haunted Holler — a free night of spooky bluegrass with “foot-stomping ghouls and goblins.” Over at the Hive (207 N. First Ave.), doors open at 7 p.m. for a night of indie-rock and psychedelia with local favorite Snacks at Midnight and Lioneer, an indie-pop-punk project by Toronto native Mike Liorti. Tickets to see both powerhouse bands are only $10 online at livefromthehive.com or $15 at the door.
Halloween in Hope
Finally, our neighbors to the east will enjoy a special night at the Hope Memorial Community Center (415 Wellington Place) with the first annual Halloween Extravaganza. Everyone can attend this free dance party from 5-7:30 p.m., which will include both adult and kids’ costume contests with individual prizes. Bring the whole family — dogs in costumes are encouraged — and enjoy food, drink and spooky music. Learn more at mccinhope.com.
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