Halloween

 Witches on the Water

Sophia Eiguren

If you happen to be on the Greenbelt this weekend and see witches with paddles soaring across the Boise River, you're not going crazy. You're witnessing Witches on the Water!

Witches on the Water started in 2020 with just a couple friends wanting to paddle board for a Halloween activity. The next year more friends wanted to join and they thought it would be fun to dress up as witches. It started as a funny joke and then they thought “why not?” People across the shores took videos and pictures and then  they thought “wow, maybe even more people would be interested in this!” In 2022 they spread the word on social media and it grew really quickly! They had more than a dozen people joining them. Over the years they learned that more people tell their friends and get a bunch more. Also people like to participate even if they don't feel comfortable floating. They love a bunch of children, me women, all different people coming together just to do a fun outdoor activity together in a beautiful place. The fun starts at Barber Park and ends at Ann Morrison, and you can watch on bridges or the green belt or be on a paddle board yourself. Just grab a costume and paddle board and join this fun tradition yourself.

October frights at the Idaho State Penitentiary 

by Lily Trevino

Do you believe in ghosts? Do you have what it takes to stay all night in the Idaho State Penitentiary?

The Idaho State Penitentiary is a historical place, where people who committed crimes went and some stayed. Fright Night is the Old Pen's annual Halloween bash and historic site party. I asked Mr. King , the introduction to theater teacher, some questions about his visit there. He has never gone to “Locktober,” also known as Fright Night, but he has gone to the paranormal investigation night. He describes the prison as a historical place, and he did not catch that much paranormal activity when he did an investigation there but he did catch a few EVPs (EVP stands for Electronic Voice Phenomenon, which refers to mysterious voices or sounds captured on audio recording devices that people could not hear with their bare ears when the recording was made.) Solitary confinement was the scariest at night, according to him. He would love to go again but his group that shared interest in researching the paranormal has split up. So it would be just as a regular citizen going to a historical place. 

• Behind the scenes tour time and date is Saturday, October 17, 2026, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm. 

Lines cut off at 9:30. It costs $15 to get in. 

• If you want to do a paranormal investigation the time and date is Saturday, October 24, 2026.
  Arrive at 9:00 pm, doors open at 9:15 pm – 2:00 am 18+ only it also costs $45 to get in.

•  Fright Night for all ages is at Friday, October 30, 2026, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm  

• Fright Night for adults only is on Saturday, October 31, 2026, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm it costs $30 to get in but you also need an ID so they can allow you in.

 The Idaho State Penitentiary is a very historical place and I'm sure you will love the history behind those cell doors.

Y M C A Halloween Events!

 There are leaves on the ground and it is the spooky season. It is time for Halloween events at the YMCA! Come and see!

The Treasure Valley Family YMCA hosts its annual Halloween Carnival at the Downtown Boise YMCA on October 23, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Activities: Carnival games, cookie and pumpkin decorating, a cake walk, face painting, a bounce house, and a photo booth.

Venue: Downtown Boise YMCA, 1050 W State St, Boise, ID 83702

Cost: Free / Open to the community (check local Y registration).

  The YMCA Halloween Run presented by Micron takes place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Ann Morrison Park in Boise.

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026

9:00 AM MDT

Freaky 5K: 10:00 AM MDT

Monster Mile: 10:15 AM MDT

Location: Ann Morrison Park, Boise, ID 83701

Cost: Registration fees generally start around $35.00 (plus sign-up fees) depending on the selected event

Featured Activities: Pre-race costume contest with prizes, the post-race Micron Trunk or Treat, and festive music

Race Day: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM at the Ann Morrison Park start area

Choose from a Half Marathon, the Monster Mile or Freaky 5k. Wear your costumes, neon, or fluorescent clothing, glowsticks, lights, and more…have fun and be creative!

Stay after for the Micron Trunk or Treat!