As September turned to October, the green leaves of summer turned brown, red and orange.

And the Concrete Chamber of Commerce wants you to enjoy them, especially if it means that fabulous fall color draws you to the town’s wineries, restaurants and historic main street.

As a nod to the beauty of Eastern Skagit County and to draw tourists, the chamber will host its first Fall Color Festival on Oct. 11-13 in and around Concrete.

Local wineries, eateries and the chamber will host a series of activities, including pumpkin bowling and music, and serve up plenty of wine and food.

On Saturday, folks can enjoy a tour of some of Concrete’s famously haunted hot spots during the first day of the third annual Concrete Ghost Walk (for ages 18 and older).

Concrete Chamber President Valerie Stafford said the fall festival is another opportunity to promote the town and all it has to offer.

“We think this is a really wonderful area for people to come and visit,” Stafford said. “We wish people in the western part of Skagit County would come and enjoy the beautiful scenery and the recreational opportunities of the upper Skagit River.”

For Stafford, it’s not just about the dollars and cents of tourism. It’s also about shining the spotlight on Concrete’s needs. Businesses slow down after the mountain pass closes for the winter. Events like the Fall Color Festival can help bolster business and, ultimately, the lives of people living in the area.

“We want to remind people that Concrete is a viable part of our county and we want to make sure the people here are receiving the attention and services they need,” Stafford said.

Visitors can stop by the Challenger Ridge Vineyard from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to check out the wine and participate in a ceremonial grape-crushing. Families can roll up their cuffs and stomp on some grapes, and then enjoy a tasty barbecue, live music by the Troy Fair Band, and pumpkin bowling.

Glacier Peak Winery in Rockport will offer vineyard tours and a history of wine-making. The Eagle Haven Winery and the Birdsview Brewery also will offer samples and tours.

And Stafford said she wants everyone to enjoy the “Magic 30 Miles,” the stretch along Highway 20 where tourists can enjoy the best view of Skagit County’s fall colors.

If you’re more interested in some spooky fun, check out the Ghost Walk. On Saturday, Stafford will host the first of five downtown tours explaining the haunted history of Main Street. The tours will continue Oct. 17, 18, 24 and 25. Reservations are required through the Chamber office.

Stafford said almost every building in the area’s commercial core has a ghost story.

“I don’t know if I really believe in ghosts,” Stafford said. “But if I did, I would believe Main Street is haunted.”

The tour has become so popular that Stafford has had to turn people away. She can only take about 30 at a time.

And while you’re in Concrete, Stafford said you can pay homage to the town’s logging history by watching Whidbey Island woodcarver Steve Backus and his crew carving out a new town sign all weekend.

The sign is being built ahead of the town’s 100-year anniversary celebrations next year.

The sign will be erected on four upright cedar logs, each 12 to 15 feet tall, with a 30-foot cross piece. The poles will feature totem-like carvings featuring eagles, bears, fish, hikers and logging trucks.

Backus said he’s assembled a team of four to six artists.

“I’ve got a crew of carvers and finishers to work on it,” Backus said. “It will be simultaneously worked on by several different artists of different backgrounds. That’s what’s going to make it cool.”

Backus said he’ll take input from passers-by and may even alter design elements to fit preferences or suggestions.

The structure will be completed and installed Monday.

Along with Backus, a crew of photographers will disperse throughout the town preparing for a show called “A Day in the Life of Concrete,” which will be presented later in 2008.

Some 20 members of the Skagit Valley Camera Club will take photos on and near Main Street in Concrete.

n Aaron Burkhalter can be reached at 360-416-2141 or .