Halloween fun begins

LIND - A local man is donating pumpkins to Ralston and other areas as a tribute to his son.

Rod Melcher, 56, of Lind, delivered a load of pumpkins to Boxwood Garden on First Avenue in Ritzville on Saturday, Oct. 19.

Melcher said his son Cole Melcher started growing the gourds, but passed away in 2016. So, the elder Melcher carried on with the tradition as a tribute to his son.

Melcher said the rest of this load will go to Ralston Grange Hall on State Highway 261 for the community's Fall Festival, which runs from 1-2 p.m. on Oct. 27

There, the pumpkins will be painted, he said. In addition, there will be crafts, games and snacks - all free for children toddler age to 10 years old.

The Fall Festival isn't the only event planned for this Halloween.

The Ritzville Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Business Trick-or-Treat with more participants and activities in downtown Ritzville from 1-5 p.m. Oct. 31.

The City Council has approved a request to close Main Avenue from Division Street to Adams Street for the festivities.

The chamber reported great success with the event a year ago, including increased safety of participants.

Washtucna is also planning to celebrate Halloween.

Lora Hille is asking residents planning to entertain trick-or-treaters to contact her by Oct. 25 to get on the city's inaugural Trick-or-Treat map.

She expects trick-or-treating to run from about 4-6 p.m. in town on Halloween, Oct. 31. After that, the Halloween celebration will shift to the firehall for a "trunk-or-treat" event, where residents and businesses may dress up, decorate vehicles and provide All Hallows Eve treats from their vehicles' trunks.