Halloween’s origins date back more than 2,000 years to the Celtic holiday Samhain (SAH-win). Halloween is inspired by the night before Samhain, when spirits were thought to walk the Earth as they traveled to the afterlife. Fairies, demons and other creatures were also said to appear during this time.

On Orcas, ghosts might not be making an appearance, but there are plenty of spooky events to fill your Halloween calendar.

Just keep your eyes peeled for any spirits still celebrating Samhain.

Friday, Oct. 26 to Weds. Oct. 31

The Scarecrow Festival is open to merchants in Eastsound Village and island-wide. The winning ribbon will be given to the scarecrow that most depicts the business it represents.

Post pictures of your scarecrows from onset to finish on the Facebook page “Life on Orcas Island” on www.facebook.com.

For more info, call Ginny Lu at 376-2900.

Saturday, Oct. 27

Great Pumpkin Day, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastsound, an event full of family fun.

11 a.m. – 2 p.m., pumpkin carving contest with prizes, cookie decorating at Wildflour Bakery. At the Episcopal Church lawn there will be scarecrow making, face painting, pumpkin bowling and hot cider and cocoa will be served.

1 – 3 p.m., old-fashioned hay rides in the downtown Eastsound loop.

3 p.m., Darvill’s Bookstore will host spooky story telling.

Wednesday, Oct. 31

The Orcas Science Club hosts a heritage and locally adapted fruit tasting, 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Funhouse.

Science club students and Kwiaht science advisers will answer questions about the study of apple and pear nutrition, genetics, propagation and chemistry (funding for this project provided by the Orcas Island Community Foundation).

Contact Kwiaht botanist Madrona Murphy (kwiaht@gmail.com) for more info.

As always there will be Trick-or-Treating in Eastsound late in the afternoon.

Trick-or-treating for books at the library is from 4 to 7 p.m. Kids can pick out a book, through a generous grant from Friends of the Orcas Island Library, and have their picture taken. For info, contact Nita Couchman, Children’s Librarian, at 376-4985.

Monster movie: “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” 7 p.m. Odd Fellows Hall, free.

Annual Halloween Dance, 8:30 p.m. – midnight, Odd Fellows Hall, $10 for adults, $5 for kids. Music will be by Tiempo de Lopez and there will be prizes for best costume.