Halloweentown Divides Oregon Town: Locals Clash Over Annual Spooky Celebration

As of October 31st, 2025, the annual Halloweentown celebration in St. Helens, Oregon has become a deeply divisive issue within the local community. What started 13 years ago as a small gathering of around 100 people has now grown into a massive event that attracts 60,000 visitors each October.

For many locals, the Halloweentown tradition is a beloved source of joy and community pride. The self-proclaimed "Queen of Halloweentown" explains that the event has evolved from humble beginnings, with just a pumpkin and some corn stalks, into a full-fledged celebration complete with costumes, decorations, and a thriving local economy. "There's nothing I enjoy more than wandering around Halloweentown in my gigantic dress with a crown that hurts my head, and making other people happy," she shares.

However, not everyone in St. Helens is enamored with the Halloweentown festivities. A vocal contingent of locals object to the event, citing religious concerns and a belief that it celebrates "the devil's birthday." One resident even likens the phenomenon to "celebrating the devil's birthday" and has raised the issue with the local council, arguing that the town lacks "proper leadership" to address the "physical and spiritual" consequences of hosting such a large event.

The director of the local haunted house acknowledges that there are occasional incidents of mischief and theft during the Halloweentown celebrations, which are monitored by a surveillance system set up around the town square. Despite these challenges, the majority of locals seem to embrace the Halloweentown tradition, drawn to the joy, community spirit, and economic benefits it brings to St. Helens each October.