Welcome to fall! 🍁 Peak fall foliage in the Portland area starts in the middle of October. Look for brightly colored maple trees at Portland Japanese Garden and Hoyt Arboretum, not to mention a street near you, and, a little later, golden larch trees at Kenilworth Park and further afield.
Here are some more tips and events to enjoy October to the fullest:
Tips for October
💉 Get Your COVID and Flu Shots
Winter is flu season and COVID is here to stay, so it’s time to get your shots. If you’ve had COVID in the last three months, consider waiting for that vaccine. But otherwise roll up your sleeve.
- Related: Where to get your COVID booster.
🌧️ Adopt a Storm Drain
The rain starts at the same time as the leaves start falling in droves. That’s a recipe for clogged storm drains and massive puddles. Consider “adopting” your nearest storm drain and cleaning it out for all involved. (Tips to stay safe: Use a rake, never use your hands. And put on a pair of gloves.)
Enjoy the Season
🍏 Visit Your Friendly Apple and Pear Orchards
We are also nearing peak apple and pear season. If you’re looking for a expedition, check out the Fruit Loop near Hood River.
🎃 Watch People Race Giant Gourds
The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, on Oct. 20, seems more fiction than fact. But truly, people do in fact grow 1,000-lb. pumpkins and other squash to turn them into boats and race across a lake in Tualatin.
I feel like this is one of those things where you hear about it and you’re like, ’Well, they can’t be racing in giant pumpkins.' And it’s like, ’No, they’re racing in giant pumpkins.’
Celebrate Halloween
The month ends with Halloween, though super fans have already decked out their houses.
🧙 Halloweentown
The city of St. Helens, Ore., was the setting for the Disney movie “Halloweentown” in 1998. That was a while ago, but the town still celebrates the holiday each weekend this month with a festival.
👻 Portland’s Halloween Street
Or if you want to stay in town, Montavilla’s answer to Peacock Lane is all-out trick-or-treating extravaganza, complete with haunted house, along Southeast Taylor Street between 76th and 80th Avenues.
- Related: Get to know Montavilla’s Halloween superfan.
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