South Oregon Coast Spooky: Port 'Goreford' Turns Itself Into Immersive Game / Treasure Hunt

Published 10/20/2026 at 6:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Port Orford, Oregon) – The little Oregon coast fishing village of Port Orford will once again transform into “Port Goreford” this Halloween season as the community-wide Battle Rock Kraken Treasure Hunt returns October 24 - 31. Again the historic place brings a week of themed festivities, a town-wide treasure hunt and more than $3,000 in prizes donated by local businesses.

The annual event follows a successful debut last year that drew approximately 500 visitors to the Port Orford Visitor Center during Halloween week and put an estimated 3,000 Kraken coins into circulation throughout the community.

Oregon's south coast got so fun it was spooky.

Organizers say the event was originally created to encourage visitors and residents to explore local businesses during the fall shoulder season but has since grown into a highly anticipated community tradition.

“What started as an opportunity to give folks a reason to walk into local shops during our quiet shoulder season has turned into something bigger that the entire community looks forward to,” said Kim Foster, a Port Orford Main Street board member and organizer of the event.

The 2026 incarnation is an immersive game – so much so it's just shy of cosplay or LARPing. This one has you running around town in order to save it.

According to the event's fictional lore, a Kraken sank a greedy schooner in the 1800s, scattering its treasure along the coast. Participants help return the missing coins before Halloween night to prevent the sea monster from awakening and terrorizing the town.

This year, about 30 businesses will participate in the treasure hunt, each marked on an official treasure map.

“Port Orford already has the storms, the rugged coastline and the maritime history. All we needed was a monster,” said Helen Stonhill, Port Orford Main Street board member and author of the Kraken legend.

Participants can pick up treasure maps at the Visitor Center at Battle Rock Wayside Park or at participating businesses identified by a Kraken tentacle displayed in the window. Visitors collect Kraken coins from businesses throughout town, with one coin available per person per day and no purchase required. Additional bonus coins can be earned by solving daily riddles posted on the Discover Port Orford Facebook page.

Coins must be signed and returned to the Kraken's Chest at the Visitor Center, open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants who return three coins will receive a drawstring sport pack, while all returned coins will be entered into prize drawings scheduled for Halloween night.

Near Port Orford

More than $3,000 in prizes have been donated by local businesses. Prize packages include overnight stays at Port Orford vacation rentals, a whale-watching and wildlife excursion with South Coast Tours, a Jerry's Rogue Jets river tour, spa and wellness experiences, gift certificates to area restaurants and shops, handcrafted artwork and dozens of additional prizes.

The week-long celebration also includes a variety of Halloween-themed events. Highlights include FisherPoets performances at Mr. Ed's Underground Pub on October 23 and Sixes Book and Tackle on October 24, an in-store scavenger hunt at Nicki's Knick-Knacks on October 27, Dragonfly Nursery's Halloween Party on October 30 and a costume party and dance at the Senior Center featuring The Love Mussels on October 30.

Halloween day festivities include the Shoreline Inn & Bistro's second annual Boo Bash from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Black Beard's Plunder hosted by the Port Orford Fishwives from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Port of Port Orford and a costume contest with live music at Mr. Ed's beginning at 7 p.m.

Several local lodging properties are also offering special Port Goreford rates during the event. A complete schedule of activities, prize information and the story behind the Kraken of Battle Rock are available at discoverportorford.org/port-goreford.

Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

 

 

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