Rachel Thompson/News-Register##A lighted skeleton and other Halloween decorations guard the house at 14th and Ford streets in a holiday display, one of several owner Michelle Edwards creates each year. Edwards has been festooning her place elaborately for Easter, Christmas and other holidays, in addition to Halloween, since she bought the home about 13 years ago.

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Lucas Partin, a senior at Yamhill Carlton High School, greets guests with a wide-eyed stare during the first weekend of the Haunted Maze in Carlton. Dressed in a psychedelic costume and yellow wig, Partin said his inspiration was “a vibe of Gladys from the movie ‘Weapons.’” “We’ve had one ‘pineapple,’” said sixth-grader Meya Thompson, referring to the safe word guests can shout if the scares get too intense. Admission is $5, with all proceeds supporting Yamhill Carlton Together Cares and its mission to empower and strengthen the community.

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Visitors begin their Haunted Maze journey aboard a Yamhill-Carlton school bus, which serves as the eerie entry point to the experience. The event, continuing Thursday and Friday at Yamhill Carlton Elementary School, features local teens and helps fund a wide range of YCTC-led activities, from athletics to after-school care.

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Shaena Johnson of Hillsboro sweetens the deal with horse cookies as Jeremiah of the Paisley Desert hesitates near a flailing inflatable “air dancer” during Spook Night. “He’s actually doing pretty good today,” Johnson said. “Some of these things are gonna be scary, regardless of where you see them. It’s just controlling the reaction. That’s why we do this.” The obstacle course is one of four hosted each year by the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse.

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Estelle Firestone of Sheridan leads her horse, Fly Me to the Moon — “Fly Me” for short — through a curtain of pool noodles during the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse’s Halloween-themed Spook Night Obstacle event Friday at the fairgrounds. Riders guided their horses through a variety of challenges, including inflatables, hanging streamers, scattered balloons, and boxes filled with crinkly plastic and noisy textures. The exercises are designed to help desensitize horses to unexpected sights, sounds, and surfaces they might encounter on trails or in everyday life.

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Kids line up for the giant slide at Heiser Farms on Saturday as pumpkin cannons fire in the background. Waiting at the top are Emersyn Fahlman and Leon Lopez, both of Salem, and Brad Wolfard of Newberg. Climbing the hill are Ryder De Car of Newberg and Grayson Strombom of Dayton.

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Kassidy Gui hands a white pumpkin to Asher Olliff of Dallas after a muddy trip through the patch at Heiser Farms on Saturday. The pair were making their way to the scales to weigh their picks. Heiser Farms, on Grand Island near Dayton, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31. There is an admission charge. The u-pick pumpkin patch also is open on weekdays with free admission to buyers.

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Vanessa Holfort carries her daughter Jillian, 8, through Linfield University’s haunted maze as twin sister Genevieve leads the way during Saturday’s Wildcat Harvest Haunt. Families could request a “less scary” version of the maze before entering. Hosted by ASLU, Linfield’s student government organization, the event featured carnival games, food trucks, a petting zoo, and both spooky and kid-friendly thrills. Formerly just for Linfield students, this year marked its debut as a community event.

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Zoe Cook, 7, watches as Linfield wrestling coach Frank Johnson twists a balloon whale. Johnson, who coaches both the men’s and women’s teams, delighted kids with balloon creations at the event tent.

Halloween fun planned around county

[Updated 10/31/25]

Halloween is finally here. Children and adults will find plenty of fun this afternoon and evening.

Costumed children will fill Third Street from 4 to 6 p.m. this afternoon to collect treats from businesses during the McMinnville Downtown Association’s annual trick-or-treat event. Also on Halloween, Country Vintage will play from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the McMinnville Grange No. 31 at 1700 S.W. Old Sheridan Road, McMinnville. A potluck will be held at 9 p.m. Cost is $10 per person, or $7 per person for grange members. Other McMinnville events on Halloween include:

-- Cherrywood Memory Care staff and residents will hand out candy at a “Ghoul Drive-up” event from 3 to 5 p.m. at the center, 2750 N.E. Doran Drive, McMinnville. Free.

-- Life Care Center, 1309 N.E. 27th St., McMinnville, will host trick-or-treating with its residents from 3 to 5 p.m. Free.

-- Fircrest Senior Living, 213 N.E. Fircrest Drive, will host a trunk-or-treat event at 3 p.m.

-- Hillside Retirement Center will host trick-or-treaters in the lobbies of its buildings from 5 to 7 p.m. at 400 Hillside Parkway, 440 Hillside Parkway and 900 Hill Road, McMinnville.

-- Lum’s GMC, 830 N.E. Highway 99W, will host its fifth-annual trunk-or-treating event from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Free. A variety of businesses and nonprofit organizations will hand out candy and other treats.

-- Armstrong Subaru, 1315 N.E. Third St., will host a trunk-or-treat event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1315 N.E. Third St.

-- Calvary Mac church will host a Kids’ Harvest Carnival, open to all elementary age children, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 1825 N.W. Second St., McMinnville. Free.

-- The Reel Hollywood Video, 105 N.W. Ninth St., McMinnville, will host a Halloween party with a haunted house and live music by three punk bands. The all-ages event runs 6 to 9 p.m., with music starting at 8 p.m. Cost is $10 for the concert, $5 for the haunt or $13 for both. For more information, go to rhvmac.com.

-- A 21 and over Halloween costume party will begin at 6 p.m. at HiFi Wine Bar, 711 N.E. Third St., McMinnville. DJ Phreaker Fighter will lead the entertainment.

-- Also for adults only is a costume and “scaryoke” with KJ Kai at 1109 Lafayette Bar, ll09 N.E. Lafayette Ave. in McMinnville.

In addition, the McMinnville Community Center will host a Day of the Dead celebration on the day after Halloween, on Saturday, Nov. 1. The Día de los Muertos event will start at 1 p.m. with music, snacks, crafts and other activities, including a costume contest. Admission is free. For more information, call 503-435-5568 or 503-435-5553.

In other cities:

-- The Amity Christian Church will be hosting their annual Amity Trunk-R-Treat from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 1305 Goucher Ave. For more information, call Kim Gates at 503-835-2551.

-- A haunted house will be open at the Yamhill Carlton Elementary School, 414 Polk St., Carlton. Yamhill Carlton Together Cares is hosting the haunted outdoor maze with scariness. Admission is $5. Hours are 7 to 10 p.m. tonight.

-- Carlton also will have downtown trick-or-treating from 4 to 6 p.m.

-- Heiser Farms’ u-pick pumpkin patch is open today with free admission to buyers. It is located on Grand Island, south of Dayton.

-- Winner of Lafayette’s Scarecrow Contest will be announced at 7 p.m. tonight. The Lafayette Community Action Team and Lafayette Downtown Association will provide trophies and cash rewards for the residential winners.

-- Willamina Trunk or Treat will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. today outside Willamina City Hall at 411 N.E. C Street.