Similar to the town of Washington, Connecticut which served as the inspiration for Gilmore Girls, the town of St. Helens in Oregon holds a very special place in many people's hearts. Why? Because this is the very location that played host to the setting of everyone's favorite Disney Channel Halloween film series, Halloweentown!

While it's unlikely that fans would walk into Aggie or Marnie there, they can experience the real-life magic of Halloweentown in the form of an annual festival held by St. Helens every year, called 'Spirit of Halloweentown.' Since 1998 when the movie was first filmed, the town has paid tribute to the spooky holiday with a month-long series of celebrations throughout all of October. The entire town is transformed into the closest thing to the fictional, spooky wonderland that we all watched come to life in the 90s, and this is how the magic is created.

The Town's Famous Jack 'O Lantern

In the first movie, it was up to the Cromwells to combine their magic and restore light to Halloweentown by means of the giant Jack 'o Lantern in the center of town. It's here that Aggie's famous words, "Magic is really very simple. All you have to do is want something, and let yourself have it!" ring true, and it's a motto many fans still hold dear to their hearts today.

The giant pumpkin seen in St. Helens in October isn't the same pumpkin that was used during the movie, but it is a stunning recreation. Fun fact: Scenes from the movie Twilight were also filmed in this town... it seems that Oregon has a serious passion for all things spooks and monsters.

Visitors can walk around the town and find nods to the Halloweentown series and at night, the giant pumpkin gets lit up - just like it does in the movies, during which a large crowd usually gathers to witness the festive sighting.

St. Helens Halloween Traditions

The entire town joins in on the Halloween festivities, lining the streets with all things pop-culture and horror related. It's all in good fun, though, and there's nothing truly scary; only family-friendly spooks here! Tributes to popular Halloween culture such scenery depicting The Nightmare Before Christmas can be found downtown, along with a haunted walk that takes visitors through one large section of St. Helens. This ghost walk takes Halloween-lovers past decorated storefront windows and other spooky attractions, turning the entire town into a literal tribute to Halloween.

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There are also haunted houses for both adults and kids which are open every day, playing host to a wide array of scares. Even the waterfront gets in on the fun, with what St. Helens calls the 'Walk to the Underworld.' Along this creepy walk, visitors will witness various sea creatures and past enormous rocks that help to guide guests along their 'terrifying' tour. Many of the events put on by the town are free (walking around is an experience in itself!) but there are some which require admission, all of which can be found on the town's website.

Some of the free things included a self-guided Haunted Tour, for which maps can be picked up at the plaza kiosk that's located near City Hall. The Courthouse Plaza and Vendor Village also offer free photo ops throughout the month of October, at which visitors can get pictures with some of the town's coolest scenery. When night falls, the free fun continues with haunt-themed walks, since most of the town's storefronts and shops participate in the Halloween fun.

Related: These Haunted Lighthouses Will Get You Ready For Spooky Season

While Oregon is full of creepy places for the Halloween season, St. Helens has been voted one of the best, if not the best, for seasonal spooks. For those in town on October 1st, St. Helens kicks off the season with an annual lighting of the big pumpkin, turning it into a grand ceremony that's free for all to attend.

To accompany the history of Halloweentown's filming, a special spell is even recited - and we're pretty sure that Aggie Cromwell wouldn't have it any other way. Additional festivities include pumpkin picking, costume contests, and even a museum full of strange and unusual oddities to add to the allure of Halloween.

For hardcore fans of the movies, there's one more thing to love about St. Helens: Aggie Cromwell's house is actually a real-life Bed & Breakfast. While it's not as Halloween-themed as it is in the movies, it's abundantly charming and beautiful and definitely worthy of a stay. The historic Inn features views over the Columbia River which are perfect for relaxing days remembering all the things Aggie taught us.

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