The leaves are changing, and the “Boo!” is back.
With October just around the corner, the South Thurston County town of Bucoda is again getting into the Halloween spirit by ceremonially renaming the town Boo-Coda.
The name change, a tradition for more than a decade, comes as the town prepares for a month-long celebration of all things spooky.
“I, Robert Gordon, mayor of the town of Bucoda, and the town council state this message to all those who dare visit our town during the month of October,” the mayor proclaimed Tuesday night. “From ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties; from zombies and witches and IRS Attorneys. And other things that go bump in the night.”
During the meeting, council members said the town has become known around the South Sound for the name change and the Halloween celebration.
Gordon, who drove to the council meeting in a hearse decorated with Boo-Coda signs, said he enjoys the town’s hearse procession and haunted house.
Though Halloween is more than a month away, the hearse proved a popular attraction, with several children stopping to look at the vehicle during the council's meeting.
Events for the town’s “Spook-tacular” celebration include:
• A haunted house that will be open Sept. 29 and 30, and Oct. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. It will also be open Oct. 29, 30 and 31 from 7 to 10 p.m.
• A hearse procession on Oct. 14
• A family fun day on Oct. 7
• Casket races on Oct. 21
• A Thrill the World dance on Oct. 28
For more information on the events, go to https://boo-coda.com/.