Things are getting spooky in Central Whidbey.

The annual Haunting of Coupeville begins Oct. 1 with a whole slew of fun and frightening activities and attractions for residents of all ages.

Coupeville business owners have kicked off the celebration with their Scarecrow Trail displays. This year’s theme is the 1993 film “Hocus Pocus,” the sequel of which came out this fall. Trail organizer Rebecca Robinson said there are more than 20 scarecrows this year, including some from businesses that have not participated in the trail before.

“We have a very enthusiastic group this year,” she said.

Crow’s Roost owner Mel Rodman has enjoyed going all out for the scarecrow display every year. She and her friend Claire Vorauer, who helps her set up the display, said this year’s is their best yet.

“We tend to go a little overboard,” Vorauer said.

The annual Scarecrow Trail display is an exciting and much anticipated opportunity to get creative and have fun, the women said. Vorauer said the activity is just another charming feature of “our little Hallmark movie town.”

“It’s really fun because you go around town, you see all the different ones,” Rodman said. “And of course for businesses, it brings so much traffic.”

The Coupeville Chamber of Commerce and Coupeville Library will provide maps of where to find various displays along the Scarecrow Trail.

The Weary Bones Rest Stop Graveyard also opens Oct. 1. The spooky and comical cemetery display is accessible through the Rec Hall Parking Lot or from Alexander Street, next to the Chamber of Commerce.

Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month, Scenic Isle Farms, formerly known as Sherman Farm, will be giving Trolley Rides from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the pumpkin patch. The farm is located at 46 South Ebey Road.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 8, celebrate Octoberfest at Meerkerk Gardens. The Shifty Sailors will be joined by accordion player Lori Hansen to provide the music, and bratwursts will be available for purchase at the fire engine food truck. This year’s Octoberfest also coincides with the gardens’ fall plant sale.

The last two weekends in October, prepare to be scared at Haunted Fort Casey. The spookiness takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 22, 23, 29 and 30 to fundraise for lighthouse restoration projects.

From 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 23, the beloved annual pumpkin race will take place on Alexander Street between Coveland Street and Front Street. This free event will show off innovative pumpkin racecar designs and culminate in fun awards for a number of participants. A scavenger hunt will take place the same day.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, Meet Market will host a community pumpkin party. Enjoy cider, snacks and a Halloween soundtrack while carving or painting pumpkins from 5 to 8 p.m. The following day, the town will host its annual parade and costume contest at 5 p.m. beginning at Cooke’s Corner Park.

A detailed schedule of events can be found at hauntingofcoupeville.com.

Photos by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times Mel Rodman makes some adjustments to the human-sized crow that represents her business, Crow’s Roost, in her Scarecrow Trail display.

Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times The Scarecrow Trail display outside of Crow’s Roost portrays a scene from the 1993 Halloween classic “Hocus Pocus.”