Goldendale had it’s share of the glitterati Halloween Night.   The crowds flowed in a constant stream pausing just long enough for all the ghosts and goblins to pick up a treat.  I can only hazard a guess at the numbers but there were at least seven hundred counting all the shepherding parents.  Princesses, ghosts, batman, a cardboard horse and real cowgirl proudly trotted up to  receive a sugar lump or two.

Jim Walter and Ron King hand out the goodies

There were so many people in their pretend costumes that it was actually crowded on the sidewalk.  There were plenty of places along Main street with candy stations.  The General Store featured free hot dogs in exchange for a donation of two cans of food for the local food bank.  Ya gotta love that!  Dr Ogden gave free rides in a hay wagon pulled by his old time John Deer tractor.  That may be a hay seed idea but the kids revel in it so there was no shortage of riders.  The town pulls together on this so that we can all have a very safe and fun time at Halloween.  No more unlit streets with pot holes to trip on and all the action is on Main street so it can be blocked off from traffic making it safe for those little pranksters who like to dash around.

We also held the annual Pumpkin Carving contest and the entries were little short of spectacular. Three gallery members did the judging  and came up with the following winners adult. First place went to the most spectacular Cinderella Pumpkin  coach ever. Tiny brass  mice dashed homeward in harness and a tiny window in the rear of the coach was a replica stained glass window.  Completing the scene was a clock pumpkin showing 5 minutes after the magic hour of midnight.  This entry was a favorite and the creator was Mindy Blomquist, the Chamber manager.  What a creative person she is!  JoAnn  Flint was second and Quentin Wallace took third.  In the Youth category Shania Henderson won first place, Zachery Oliver won second and third place went to the Meichtry family.  The prizes were very special too as the local restaurants donated coupons for food:  Barred Rock Pub and Grill, Ayutlas Mexican restaurant, the Glass Onion,  Sodbusters, and Coyote Coffee.  Many thanks to these people for their generous contributions.  The whole event was just about the best ever. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this event the success that it was.

Adult entries in Pumpkin Carving contest

 Look what the kids created!

Youth entries for Pumpkin Carving contest