October's second week belongs to the forest and the rails. The Gifford Pinchot Fungi Fest turns Packwood into the mushroom capital of the Pacific Northwest for three days of guided forays, expert talks, and forest crafts, while the Pumpkin Trains start their Halloween-season runs out of Chehalis. Around them, the Chehalis Farmers Market keeps its Tuesday rhythm, the county board holds its weekly business meeting, and a Nashville folk duo lands at The Juice Box. Here is what is happening around Lewis County from Monday, October 5 through Sunday, October 11.
Chehalis Farmers Market
Tuesday, October 6 · 10 AM – 3 PM
NE Boistfort St & N Market Blvd, Downtown Chehalis · Free admission
The Chehalis Farmers Market is into its final month of the season, and the stalls are dressed in full fall color. Expect the October lineup on Tuesday: apples by the bag, winter squash, pumpkins, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, garlic, and greens, alongside cheeses, farm-fresh eggs, honey, artisan breads, jams, cut flowers, and handmade crafts. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and WIC/FMNP benefits, runs rain or shine, and is a gentle, neighborly way to spend a Tuesday morning in downtown Chehalis while the maples turn gold overhead. It keeps its weekly rhythm every Tuesday through the end of October, so there are still a few chances left to fill the bag.
Lewis County Board of Commissioners
Tuesday, October 6 · 10 AM
Hearing Room, Historic Courthouse, 351 NW North St, Chehalis · Open to the public
Want to see how the county spends its October? The weekly business meeting of the Lewis County Board of Commissioners happens Tuesday morning at 10 AM in the board's Hearing Room on the second floor of the Historic Courthouse. Agendas are posted in advance on the county's website so you can see what is on the docket and weigh in during public comment. It is one of the simplest, most direct ways to take part in local government and stay in the loop on the issues shaping Lewis County, from land use to roads to the fall budget. The county also holds its Monday wrap-up and Wednesday directors' update sessions each week if you want to follow along more closely.
Paper Wings at The Juice Box
Thursday, October 8 · 7:30 PM
The Juice Box Public House, 216 S Tower Ave, Centralia
For a midweek night out with music, the Nashville folk duo Paper Wings brings its warm harmonies and storytelling songs to The Juice Box Public House in downtown Centralia on Thursday evening. It is the kind of intimate show that suits the room perfectly: two voices, a couple of instruments, and songs that feel like conversations with old friends. Grab a seat, order something local off the menu, and let the week wind down the neighborly way. It is a short, easy stop in the heart of Centralia, and a great introduction to the little music room that keeps the South Sound's live scene humming.
Gifford Pinchot Fungi Fest
Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11 · All weekend
Packwood, at the gateway to Gifford Pinchot National Forest · Hosted by Pinchot Partners
This is the weekend the forest takes center stage. The Gifford Pinchot Fungi Fest, hosted by Pinchot Partners, fills Packwood with three days of mushrooms, foraging, and forest fun for all ages. Guided foraging forays head into Gifford Pinchot National Forest with experienced leaders, expert speakers and workshops dig into identification, ecology, and the culinary side of the mushroom world, and an artisan market plus live music keep the festival atmosphere going between forays. Kids' activities make it a true family weekend, and whether you are a seasoned mycophile or just curious about what grows under the firs, the Fungi Fest is a friendly, fascinating way to spend a fall weekend in the mountains. Details and tickets are handled by Pinchot Partners, so check their festival page before you head up.
Chamber Oktoberfest Cornhole Tournament at Dick's Brewing
Saturday, October 10 · Noon – 5 PM
Dick's Brewing Company, Centralia · Tournament entry via the Chamber
Saturday afternoon brings a little friendly competition to the beer garden. The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce hosts its Oktoberfest Cornhole Tournament at Dick's Brewing Company, with teams squaring off in brackets, prizes for the top tossers, and a proper Oktoberfest atmosphere with local brews flowing. Whether you play or just cheer from a picnic table, it is a relaxed, social way to spend a Saturday in Centralia, and a chance to catch up with neighbors over a bag toss and a pint. Registration details are handled through the Chamber, so sign your team up early if you want a spot in the bracket.
Pumpkin Train
Saturday, October 10 & Sunday, October 11 · Trains at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM
Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum, 1101 SW Sylvenus St, Chehalis · Tickets via steamtrainride.com
All aboard for the most family-friendly ride of the season. The Pumpkin Trains roll out of the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum depot this weekend, with departures at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Each excursion is a roughly 75-minute round trip behind a historic steam locomotive, and riders of every age are encouraged to come in costume to set the Halloween mood. Every kid under 12 goes home with a goody bag of treats and a pumpkin, making it the perfect kickoff to the spooky season. Tickets sell fast for these runs, so grab yours through the railroad's website and arrive early to watch the engine get fired up.
Free Entrance Day at Washington State Parks
Saturday, October 10 · All day
State parks across Washington, including Rainbow Falls and Ike Kinswa in Lewis County · No Discover Pass required
Saturday is a free entrance day at Washington State Parks, which means no Discover Pass is needed to park at any state park in the state. It is a perfect excuse to catch the fall color close to home: Rainbow Falls State Park near Chehalis for a riverside walk under the big trees, Ike Kinswa State Park on Mayfield Lake for shoreline views and fishing, or Lewis and Clark State Park between Chehalis and Winlock for a quiet forest stroll. The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and the trails are calling. Pack a thermos, bring the family, and enjoy one of the free days the state parks offer through the season.
Also happening this week
The Timberland Regional Library branches in Centralia and Chehalis keep their free storytimes and teen hangouts running all week, a no-cost way to get the kids out into the community, and the library system's online events calendar includes a bilingual storytime and virtual author talks. For evening entertainment, McFiler's Chehalis Theater & Bar (543 NW Pacific Ave) runs karaoke Monday, Friday, and Saturday nights and live trivia on Tuesday at 6 PM, while The Hub Bar & Grill in Centralia (110 S Tower Ave) hosts karaoke Tuesday and Friday nights and trivia on Wednesday at 6 PM. Friendly spots to unwind with neighbors as the evenings turn cooler.
And a look ahead: the Lewis County Model Railroad Club's Train Show & Swap Meet fills the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on October 17 and 18, and the Centralia Fall Festival and Halloween Parade closes out the month downtown on October 31. The season is just getting started.
This is the week the forest and the rails take center stage: hunt chanterelles in Packwood, ride the Pumpkin Train in Chehalis, and soak up the last of the Tuesday market season.
