**St. Helens, Oregon, Becomes Real-Life “Halloweentown” Celebrating Halloween Spirit**
HOLLYWOOD (KABC) — In 1998, the late Debbie Reynolds starred in the beloved Disney Channel movie *Halloweentown*. Now, the Oregon town where the movie was filmed has embraced its cinematic legacy, transforming itself into a real-life Halloweentown every year.
The town of St. Helens, Oregon, home to about 15,000 residents, was the primary filming location for *Halloweentown*. Several years ago, the community decided to capitalize on its connection to the movie by inviting tourists to celebrate both the film and the Halloween season.
“When we saw an article that an entire town, their identity, has transformed itself because of this movie, and they—60,000 people come every year to, like, experience it and take pictures. We were, like, ‘That’s our kind of world we want to go explore,’” said co-director Brett Whitcomb.
Inspired, Whitcomb and fellow filmmaker Bradford Thomason traveled to St. Helens to capture the spirit of the town’s unique Halloween festivities. Their efforts resulted in the documentary *The Spirit of Halloweentown*, which explores what happens in the town over six weekends each year during the celebration.
“You’re in Halloweentown whether you like it or not in St. Helens, and how that manifests itself in you, I think, depends on you,” Thomason shared.
The event exudes a distinctly American atmosphere—children at play, high school cheerleaders performing lively routines, and activities that intrigue adults, from seances to ghost hunting. Visitors can also experience a haunted house, sometimes so spooky that younger children need to be escorted out.
Watching the documentary might inspire you to visit St. Helens for yourself. Thomason explained, “I know that Brett and I are really happy to hear that it inspires people to want to go, you know, because we didn’t make a film about *Halloweentown*, the movie. We made a film about the people of St. Helens and, you know, if you see that and want to go, you know, be amongst those people and celebrate Halloween there, that’s cool.”
Just like in the movie, visitors are greeted by a giant pumpkin—the perfect photo opportunity in today’s social media age.
*The Spirit of Halloweentown* begins streaming on several platforms this weekend. Whether you’re a fan of the movie or just love Halloween, St. Helens promises a magical experience that captures the holiday’s whimsical and spooky spirit.
https://abc7.com/post/new-documentary-spirit-halloweentown-looks-influence-old-disney-channel-movie-has-entire-town/18063175/