Groups and businesses in and around Coupeville are dusting off their ghouls and goblins in preparation for the annual Haunting of Coupeville celebration.

In its third year, the month-long celebration of all things harvest and Halloween will feature some new and returning events.

“It seems to grow a little bit every year,” said Lynda Eccles, executive director of the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce.

New this year will be a Murder Mystery Dinner, slated for Thursday, Oct. 6 at Front Street Grill. The event is $50 per person and features a three-course dinner.

Many Haunting favorites return this year, including the spooky corn maze and pumpkin patch complete with trolley rides.

Eccles said the corn maze was planted a bit differently this year by Matt Iverson, and it will be held behind the former bowling alley, located off Terry Road.

The Coupeville High School Wolf PAC Theatre Troupe will be haunting the corn maze some evenings throughout the month.

This year’s theme is “Horror through History,” said Peg Tennant, Wolf PAC advisor.

Sherman Pioneer Farm will once again be hosting a haunted barn with varying degrees of scariness for adults and children.

Entries for the Scarecrow Corridor will start going up this weekend. This year’s theme is superheroes.

Scarecrows will be placed outside businesses throughout Coupeville. Pick up a map at the chamber of commerce or Coupeville Library starting Oct. 3 and vote for your favorite scarecrow.

As the event continues to establish itself as an island staple, Eccles said it’s a great way to attract visitors to the island.

“It brings people into town,” she said. “We have a lot of people coming to the island specifically for the Haunting.”

“Everything is attractive and family friendly,” she said. “This time of year, it’s a great family outing.”

Other events include the annual Harvestfest Relay Races on Saturday, Oct. 8, which celebrate the last farmers market of the season.

The ever-popular Great Pumpkin Race will be held Sunday, Oct. 23 and the Torchlight Parade will be Saturday, Oct. 29.

Fort Casey will bring back its haunted fort after record numbers turned out for the first-time event last year.

“They’re haunting a different part of the fort this year,” Eccles said. “It will be really creepy.”

That event takes place Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29.

The month will also be filled with other ongoing events such as pumpkin painting and several child and adult-friendly dances.

“They’ve all got their unique pieces that all go together,” Eccles said. “It’s fun.”

For a complete guide of all the Haunting events, go to www.hauntingofcoupeville.com