Calling all sorcerers, it’s that special time of year again. The leaves are falling, the air is crisp and a favorite part of the Portland Region is transforming for its famous October celebration, Spirit of Halloweentown.
Anyone who has seen the iconic 1998 Disney Channel movie “Halloweentown” will recognize the town square of St. Helens, Oregon. It’s where one might leave the hair of a werewolf, the sweat of a ghost and a vampire’s fang — or at least pretend to.
The city of St. Helens was proudly the main filming site for “Halloweentown,” starring Kimberly J. Brown, Debbie Reynolds and Judith Hoag. Every year the Columbia River city honors its movie fame by hosting the Spirit of Halloweentown, a month-long festival featuring haunted tours, a mystery manor, magic shows, costume contests and more. Each day has a different agenda and daily tickets are limited to 200 (so it’s best to come prepared).
The fun starts September 29, 2018 with the first lighting of the Great Pumpkin in the city plaza. Food carts and craft vendors fill the square through October 31. Families are encouraged to come in costume or get new ensembles there.
In 2017 several of the film’s stars paid a visit to the St. Helens celebration in honor of the late Debbie Reynolds, best known to fans as grandma Aggie. For the movie’s 20th anniversary in 2018, much of the cast — Kimberly J. Brown (Marnie), Robin Thomas (Kalabar), Judith Hoag (Gwen), Joey Zimmerman (Dylan) and Emily Roeske (Sophie) — will return to Spirit of Halloween. A special VIP Meet & Greet pizza party with the cast members will take place Saturday, October 13, 2018.
For more details about this “spooky” celebration and your chance to buy tickets before they sell out, visit Discover Columbia County.
