Just in case you haven’t noticed, what with all the cold, wind, and rain suddenly descending on the Plateau, fall is here, which means tons of harvest season activities are being held for children, adults, and the whole family.
OCTOBER
First off are the annual Enumclaw and Buckley Trick-or-Treat events on Halloween, which are always popular, rain or shine.
Enumclaw will be shutting down Cole Street from 4 to 6 p.m. from Myrtle to Stevenson, so little ghouls and goblins can visit downtown businesses for their candy.
Buckley’s Trunk-or-Treat event is at the same time at the Buckley Youth Activity Center. In addition to costumes and candy, there will also be free PB&J sandwiches for kids to enjoy, along with a free hot cocoa bar. For more information, email byac@cityofbuckley.com.
Of course, if you’re looking for a frighteningly good time, you’ll have brave the backstreets of Buckley to visit Maris Farms and The Fright Factory.
During the day, Maris is as family-friendly as you can get — train rides, animal races, corn mazes, apple blasters, mega tube slides, monster truck rides, and much, much more.
Daytime activities are open from 1 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The farm will close for the season on Oct. 31.
But once the sun sets behind the horizon, the farm transforms into the Haunted Woods, a 35-40 minute corn maze filled with your worst fears. If the maze isn’t your style, though, there are other attractions, like the flashlight corn maze, a 2 minute single-person escape room, mechanical bull riding, and zombie paintball.
The Haunted Woods is only open for three more days; Oct. 25 and 26 from 7 to 10 p.m., and Oct. 27 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Ticket prices and more information are at marisfarms.com. Head to the farm’s Facebook page for potential ticket discounts.
You also won’t want to miss the Fright Factory, which is being billed this year as Washington’s top haunted attraction. Additionally, with rain always a possibility, most of its scares are located indoors.
The Fright Factory (2000 Collins Rd, Buckley) will be open every day from Oct. 24 through Oct. 31 with varying hours; head to frightfactory.net for more information.
Tickets are $15, cash only, or $14 if you bring canned food donations. There is also a fast pass for $25.
NOVEMBER
Among the many activities found at Maris Farms, kids can practice their roping skills to lasso some cattle. Photo by Kevin Hanson
The Plateau shifts gears once October is over and November begins.
Adults looking to enjoy what the Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce hopes to be a crisp autumn evening can cruise through downtown for the semi-annual Wine Walk, which is Nov. 16 from 5 to 9 p.m.
General admission tickets are $30, and includes a tasting glass, 10 tickets, and a wine walk passport. Tickets can be bought at the door.
There are also exclusive, limited VIP tickets that include a special tasting glass, additional taste tickets, a swag bag, and early check-in to the event. These tickets are $45 and are only available online at enumclacwwinewalk.bpt.me/. As of Oct. 21, there are 10 tickets left.
Over at the Expo Center is the annual Festival of Crafts, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 22 and 23, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 24.
Tickets are $3 for general admission, but Friday, Nov. 22 is Senior Day, where those 55 years old and older can buy tickets for $1.
In addition to local artists and crafters selling their wares, there will also be a kids craft area and a Santa Breakfast at 9 a.m. Nov. 23. Breakfast tickets are limited, and are $10 for the first ticket and $5 for additional tickets. Breakfast tickets include admission to the rest of the craft fair.
Samsarafest, Enumclaw’s annual festival of healing, is hosting a Soil to Supper fundraiser on Nov. 22 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The food at the event, billed as “farm to fork,” is prepared by local chef Amy Price with the Griffin & Wells restaurant. Vegetarian options are available.
There will also be cocktails available for purchase, live music, and a silent auction.
Funds raised at the event will go toward hosting next summer’s Samarafest.
Tickets are $55 and can be bought online at www.eventbrite.com/e/samsarafest-dinner-fundraiser-silent-auction-tickets-75809529343; for more information, head to www.samsarafest.com/upcoming-events/2019/11/22/soil-to-supper-samsarafest-fundraiser.
