Pumpkin Pageant and Harry Potter Costume Contest

Decorated pumpkins will adorn shops and businesses as costumed Harry Potter fans fill the streets in downtown Camas for October’s First Friday, 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 7.  Festivities will include voting for the “People’s Pumpkin” award, crafts and activities, photo ops, dining, after-hours shopping, live music and a Harry Potter costume contest with prizes. This First Friday will also feature a ribbon cutting at 5 p.m. for Bookish, an independent children’s and young adult bookstore at 335 N.E. Fifth Ave. First Friday activities include:

• Pumpkin Pageant: Participating businesses will display carved or decorated pumpkins. Vote for your favorite and enter to win a prize basket. The merchant that wins the “People’s Pumpkin” award also receives a prize.
• Harry Potter Costume Contest: All ages are invited to show off their best Harry Potter costumes. Prizes will be given for Best Costume and runners up for adults and children, as well as a prize for Best Group Costume. The contest starts at 7 p.m. in Journey Church, 304 N.E. Fourth Ave. Sign up that night in Journey between 5 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
• Kids crafts include Harry Potter-inspired wand-making with the Artisans’ Guild of Camas, decorative masquerade masks with the Camas Educational Foundation, and fall crafts at LiveWell Camas with the Girl Scouts.
• Harry Potter-themed games including “Indoor Quidditch,” “Catch the Snitch” and “Free The House Elf.”
• Harry Potter photo ops for all wizards and muggles.
• Art shows at Second Story Gallery inside the Camas Library, Camas Gallery and Attic Gallery.

For details, visit downtowncamas.com/event/october-first-friday-pumpkin-pageant-costume-event and facebook.com/events/761262388267609.