On Oct. 31 in Olympia, a pet costume contest and kids’ activities will anchor downtown festivities that include a play about Edgar Allan Poe, an evening film screening, a samba performance and a dog show featuring 24 rescue dogs. Events like the pet costume contest foster community engagement and strengthen bonds between pet owners and local organizations, creating joyful, lasting memories.

The day ties together multiple venues across the city with family-friendly programming and hands-on activities. The Olympia Downtown Alliance is hosting the pet costume contest and kids’ activities at the Fifth Avenue and Washington Street intersection, while the Hands On Children’s Museum stages a Boo Bash of games and crafts, further emphasizing community spirit.

Morning into afternoon events begin at the Hands On Children’s Museum at 414 Jefferson St. NE, where Boo Bash runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Downtown trick-or-treating and related activities open in the mid-afternoon; LoveOly Downtown’s pet-focused events run from 3 to 6 p.m., with the pet costume contest itself scheduled from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Fifth Avenue and Washington Street intersection. This intersection becomes a vibrant hub for pet owners and their beloved companions, encouraging many to explore creative costume ideas with the help of guidelines from organizations like the ASPCA and American Kennel Club.

Evening programming moves to seated venues. The State Theater at 202 Fourth Ave. E. will present a play about Edgar Allan Poe at 7:30 p.m., written by playwright Bryan Willis. At the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, the Olympia Film Society will screen Donnie Darko at 7 p.m., and a samba performance is set to begin at 7 p.m. elsewhere in the evening lineup.

Rescue dogs are a visible part of the weekend’s entertainment. A dog show featuring rescue dogs — described as jumping through hoops, balancing on their front paws and navigating obstacle courses — is on the schedule, with 24 dogs participating. Animal shelters and rescue nonprofits typically host such events, which are essential for promoting pet adoption and highlighting the need for responsible pet ownership. The Washington Center for the Performing Arts at 512 Washington St. SE is hosting Chris Perondi’s “Stunt Dog Experience” with performances at 2 and 6 p.m. on Nov. 1, extending canine attractions beyond Halloween day.

Local broadcasters and cultural figures are also on the schedule. Michael Stein, a DJ with KGY-FM, appears among the listed participants, and author Jim Lynch, performer Bradford Farwell, and actor James Duval are named in the event listings. This high-profile attention adds an additional layer of excitement to the activities planned.

Activities listed for younger attendees include a straw-bale maze, pumpkin decorating and making paper marigolds, while downtown merchants and organizers have decorated extensively to attract trick-or-treaters. The mix of street-level events and theater and film offerings aims to keep families moving through multiple parts of the city over the course of the afternoon and evening, encouraging community interaction among attendees.

Organizers named in event materials include the Olympia Downtown Alliance, Hands On Children’s Museum, the Olympia Film Society, and KGY-FM, each responsible for separate pieces of the day’s schedule. The Olympia Downtown Alliance specifically oversees the downtown pet contest and kids’ activities, while the Hands On Children’s Museum runs its Boo Bash full-day program, enhancing the presence of family-friendly content across the city.

For anyone planning to attend, downtown activities are concentrated around the Fifth Avenue and Washington Street intersection for the pet contest and near the State and Capitol theaters for the scripted and film events. The dog show and stunt-dog performances add a theatrical, family-oriented element that stretches into the evening and continues with scheduled shows the following day at the Washington Center. Overall, these events create a platform for pet owners to celebrate their pets while fostering connections that benefit local animal organizations.

Source materials for the event listings include local event coverage and community calendars; additional details on downtown festivities were summarized by local reporting, including coverage from The JOLT News.

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Original reporting: view the original article.