We have some creepy, haunting events happening in October, so when you visit Port Gamble this month, make sure to bring your ghostly spirit.
One of the highlights in October is the third annual Port Gamble Ghost Conference, scheduled for Oct. 19-20. This award-winning event is unlike any other paranormal conference in the United States. While most paranormal conferences are set in one particular house, building or site, the Port Gamble conference encompasses an entire town.
The reason is simple: all of the town’s historic buildings have exhibited paranormal activity.
The conference is designed to appeal to anyone with an interest in paranormal phenomena, from dedicated experts to the curious novice, the uncertain skeptic and the lover of ghost stories. For conference information and registration, visit www.portgamble.com.
Here are some other upcoming events.
— Ghost Walks: These guided tours visit houses and buildings in Port Gamble that have reported paranormal activities. There is space available for all tours in October but they are filling quickly. Tours are Fridays and Saturdays, 7-9 p.m., and begin at the Port Gamble Museum.
Infrared cameras and recorders are allowed and encouraged. Bring flashlights and dress for the weather since tours are not cancelled due to inclement weather. No children younger than 16, please.
Tours cost $15 per person; reservations and prepayment are required. For a list of dates, see below.
— Spooky 12K Trail Race: The Spooky 12K & Kids 1-Miler on Oct. 28 starts and finishes in Port Gamble, and the hills aren’t the only scary part of this race. Dress up for this one, with the best costume contest to follow the race. The Spooky 1-Miler is free and for kids only.
Participants follow the wooded trail to an old bears’ den before returning to the finish line. Activities start at 8 a.m. For information and registration, contact Poulsbo Running at poulsborunning@foxinternet.com, www.rootsrockrun.com or (360) 779-8757.
— Museum Lecture Series: This popular monthly series will have a spooky theme in October when Joe Teeples explains the images on gravestones, among other topics.
The September lecture was one of the most popular ever. It featured a panel of current and former Port Gamble residents, many of whom were born in Port Gamble and grew up in the old company mill town. In fact, one woman on the panel recalled baby-sitting for some of the other panelists.
— To cap the month on Oct. 31, join us for the annual showing of “Zombies of Mass Destruction.” This self-described political “zomedy” was shot in Port Gamble in November 2007 and has been featured at several festivals.
Kitsap Forest & Bay Project
The Kitsap Forest & Bay Project continues to work hard with Forterra and other organizations to secure funding that could be used to acquire all or part of the Pope Resources’ timber lands in north Kitsap County. Once acquired, those lands could be conserved as open space for public use.
However, the clock continues to tick on the option agreement, which expires March 31. If no agreement or option extension is in place, the company will move forward with other uses for the property.
To learn how you can get involved in this important endeavor, visit www.greatkitsapforestbay.org.
Keeping up with Port Gamble
We look forward to seeing you in 2012 and 2013. If you can’t visit Port Gamble but want to stay connected with what’s going on around town, here’s how:
— “Like” us on Facebook at Port Gamble or Port Gamble Weddings. Updates and news about Port Gamble are posted daily, and you can find specials from our local businesses, news updates and even some special giveaways.
— Follow us on Twitter at PortGamble or follow our weddings at PortGambleWed.
— Check out our new updated Wedding website, www.portgambleweddings.com and the main website, www.portgamble.com.
— Stay tuned into our events by subscribing to our monthly “Gamble Ramble” Newsletter on our website via Constant Contact.
Schedule of Port Gamble events
— Oct. 5, 6, 12, 13, 26, 27, 31: Ghost Walk.
— Oct. 8: Museum Lecture Series.
— Oct. 19-20: Port Gamble Ghost Conference.
— Oct. 28: Spooky 12K Trail Race.
— Oct. 31: Showing of the film, “Zombies of Mass Destruction.”