Murder mystery highlights first Halloween Harvest

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Just after the Quilcene School let out Oct. 24, students and families charged through the school grounds for pumpkin bowling, pumpkin painting, pony cart rides, a photo booth, a spooky candy corn ring toss, music and more for the inaugural Halloween Harvest festival. The event aimed to promote goodwill while celebrating the time of harvest and a partnership between Worthington Park and the Quilcene School.

“We are doing this because we believe this is an important idea for the school and community, working together for community events … and sharing a meal together,” Quilcene Superintendent Frank Redmon said, as he complimented the school's culinary arts class for the spaghetti dinner.

One of the highlights included a murder mystery scavenger hunt in two parts titled, “Society for Investigating Curious Kleptocracy: Encounters with the Supernatural.” Each of the 11 cast members and three supporting actors from the Quilcene Performing Arts students performed roles.

Led by Detective Ivan Chill Herd, played by Corden Frantz, the audience was tasked with finding the cause of death of a “body” discovered underneath the Quilcene cafeteria stage. With booklets in hand, families and other visitors went around the school, searching for clues from cast members at their assigned destinations.

The festival also included a scarecrow-making contest, during which community members pitted their stuffed creations against each another. Richard Chadwick of Quilcene took home a prize basket worth more than $100 for first place.

Making money wasn't the goal for Worthington Park during the event, marketing director Brian Cullin said. He added that the event acted as a way to build a relationship between the park and the community.

Cullin also provided an update about the Hamilton-Worthington House, a Victorian mansion near Worthington Park that has been under restoration for the past six years. The restoration is slated to be complete next spring. Once it's done, it will be a venue for weddings, get-togethers and retreats.

“It’s such a natural matchup between Worthington Park and Quilcene School – with the museum, restored mansion, outdoor theater and nature trail,” Cullin said. “We plan to pursue several events in 2019 with the school.”