Early Birds Halloween Walk

For a night owl, there’s nothing more terrifying than having to be somewhere at 5 a.m. Even folks who work a standard 8- or 9-to-5 job might balk at having to wake up at 4 a.m.

So, what does it take to scare a person who not only isn’t creeped out by the notion of getting up that early, but actually embraces it on a daily basis? The answer is a MAC tradition, the Early Birds Spook Walk/Run. Every year, it takes the bold of heart on a two-mile trek across the river to Lone Fir Cemetery, one of Portland’s oldest graveyards.

“It’s always dark, and sometimes it’s raining and the leaves have fallen,” says longtime Early Bird Karen Olson, setting the scene. “It’s just a beautiful spot over there, especially during fall. It’s very ‘October-ish,’ and it is absolutely spooky.”

“We put little glow sticks out to light the way to the graves. When runners enter the gates, they know exactly where to find us,” she continues. “Sometimes people dress up in scary or funny costumes. They put out Halloween candy, pumpkin-spiced bread and coffee. You will for sure hear two or three stories, learn some history, and make some great new memories while you’re at it.”

“Lone Fir Cemetery is one of the best places to learn about local history in terms of the variety of people who are buried there, and all of the stories of how they came to Oregon and the lives that they lived through the generations,” says

MAC member, Early Bird and Lone Fir volunteer Mary Faulkner. “A cemetery is just a history park, and it really provides a meaningful experience. As you’re walking around, it gives you the opportunity to appreciate the sacrifices that people made, and the accomplishments they reached.”

Faulkner is the storyteller who illuminates the history hinted at on gravestones with yarns that stretch from the eerie to the hilarious to the tear-jerking. She says almost every aspect of the cemetery tells a story if visitors are open to hearing them. “For more than 100 years, there was a tradition that when someone was buried at Lone Fir, family members could plant a tree there in their honor. So, now it’s second only to Hoyt Arboretum in terms of the diversity of trees found in the area.”

She does the same thing for graveyards that Woody Guthrie did for America’s natural wonders and Bruce Springsteen does for the open road. She makes listeners want to never stop exploring. “I truly believe there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy a cemetery, as long as it’s not disrespectful or vandalizing,” she says. “It’s a place for art and culture and a place for inspiration across the spectrum, from Shakespeare to zombie movies. It’s a beautiful place to contemplate, and a beautiful place to celebrate. As the Early Birds’ unique tradition proves, it’s also a great place to get some exercise.”

For beloved club member Ione Clair, the event has become as much about connecting — and staying in touch — with the good friends on this side of the veil as remembering those who’ve gone before us. “It’s so great. The best part, I think for me, is there are people my age, and I’m old,” she says.

“Then there are all those wonderful young women, whom I love. I have all boys, two sons and two grandsons, but no girls. These girls in their 30s who come out for this event are my girls! The kids are just so nice to the old people, and they’re all from different backgrounds.”

Clair recalls that her journey to being an Early Bird started in a 6 a.m. group exercise class, and intensified when she went back to work after raising her boys. She decided she was going to have to get up even earlier to get her workout in before starting her job each day. “I knew I’d never come after work, no way!,” she says, chuckling. “I started meeting others who were at the club that early, and we started walking. Eventually, that lead us to the Lone Fir, and that’s how we got involved in the Spook Walk/Run.”

Soon, Early Birds were brainstorming costume concepts, which Clair says have included pirates, cowboys and ghosts, among many others over the years. “We even made a cauldron with smoke coming up out of it.”

While nothing was served out of said cauldron, good food shared with good friends has become a constant of the event. This year, Clair says she’ll make Harvest Bread that was originally popularized among the Early Birds by former member Carol Rudy. “She passed a number of years ago, and I just came across her obituary this morning when I was going through some stuff,” Clair says. “She was great fun, and always used to get into costume. She gave me the recipe, and I think about her every time I make it.”

“The very first woman who was convicted of murder is buried there, as well as Dr. [James] Hawthorne. He gave money so people who immigrated to Oregon without their families, or much in the way of funds, could have proper burials,” Olson says, rattling off a few memorable stories she’s

learned from listening to Faulkner over the years. “There’s always that history aspect to this event, on top of the funny costumes and really nice run.”

This year, she and Faulkner are organizing the event together, which means she’ll get to the cemetery before 5 a.m. to meet a representative of the city. Each year, Metro unlocks the gates especially for the Early Birds. Bringing supplies for the festivities precludes taking part in the run, but she seems more than satisfied to set up and then sit back and enjoy the atmosphere, interpersonal affinity, and awe-inspiring anecdotes.

“There certainly could be easier ways to celebrate Halloween,” Faulkner says, describing the challenges of setting up fresh-baked goods in the dark. “The fact that everybody runs or walks over there, and then pauses to hear a story — sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking — is what makes it such a unique tradition, and I just love it. All I have to do is tell stories and maybe add lighting to a grave so everyone can see it. I just try to give a little more insight around what it was like to live in Portland a long time ago.”

The event itself has racked up its own history, with attendees celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Longtime Early Birds and club movers and shakers such as Holly Lekas, Bill Zander, Roger Jensen and Leslie Vanbellinghen all have fond memories of their chapters with the Walk/ Run. Vanbellinghen also fondly remembers Rudy’s Harvest Bread, while Jensen still has the hat they made for their very first run.

As the days get shorter and the weather more conducive to indoor pursuits, this fresh-air tradition continues to be a beacon in the darkness for those looking for familiarity in an ever-changing city. “I’m just really thankful that we get to continue to go there, because it’s pretty cool,” Peterson says.

In Faulkner’s words, “There’s a little bit of something for everybody in the early morning light, or lack thereof, at Lone Fir.” WM

Cut the six-mile route in half by catching a ride back with a host or taking TriMet. Carry a light if you fear the dark. No registration is required. Costumes are encouraged!