Halloween on Bowen Island is a favourite community celebration for many and it is the community all working together that makes it so magical.
The residents of the Deep Bay, the Loop and the Cove are all gearing up for Halloween 2019. This year, there’s going to be a resurrection of some of the old spirit of the haunted house days but in new ways. A new “Halloween light zone” will be open at the Collins Hall Pumpkin Open House, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with faeries, a talking pumpkin and a place to rest out of the rain, socialize, have a warm cup of spiced apple juice, and to see the wonderful pumpkin contest entries and vote on the best pumpkin. This area is open to all ages, but is specifically designed for parents and their young (birth to six age range) children to attend together and to have a happy Halloween as a rest stop and a destination on Halloween. Trick o’treating in the Loop and the Cove will take place as usual based on who is able to have their homes open. To balance out the light of Collins Hall, there will also be a dark and spooky haunted yard at 1130 Lenora Road from 5 to 7 p.m., during the regular trick-o’treating. Enter if you dare. Parents, please feel free to check it out in advance if you are concerned that it might be too scary for your children.
The community can help us to all get ready for Halloween! From Oct 15 to 30, community donations of cash, treats and non-food treats are generously collected and stored by the General Store. Cash donations go towards providing support to new and old Halloween initiatives.
Here's the rundown:
Wednesday, Oct. 30, the community donations of candy in the Loop/Cove will be available for pick up 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 1130 Lenora Road by residents of Lenora, Melmore, and Senator road, as well as anyone else who has a home that gets overwhelmed by the 300+ trick o’treaters. The community candy donations supplements what people have to hand out, there isn’t enough for it to be everything that gets handed out. Home-delivery or other options are available to those unable to pick-up. Please contact [email protected] and put CANDY in the email subject if you can’t come to the pick-up time, or call 9952.
Oct 30: The brand new Halloween on Bowen and Kind Neighbours of Bowen (H.O.B.K.N.O.B.) group created by Sarah Haxby and Phoenix presents the annual Great Pumpkin House and carved-pumpkin contest at a new location: Collins Hall. Drop off carved pumpkins anytime between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at 1130 Lenora Road on Oct. 30 or on Oct. 31 at Collins Hall 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Remember to tag the back of the pumpkin with your name and phone number. Best pumpkin wins a $50 gift certificate to Phoenix.
Oct. 31, Halloween night: The evening usually proceeds as follows: 5 to 6 p.m., the first hour is generally for the youngest kids, (not all homes will be ready at 5 p.m.) 6 to 7 p.m. is the main trick o’treating. Reminders for all to keep unessential traffic out of the Loop (Lenora and Melmore and Senator) during the trick o’treating, and reminders to kids about trick o’ treating include: carrying a light, being visible, having a parent-communication plan and back-up meeting spot, saying trick’otreat, being polite to people handing out the candy, staying on paths, letting the smaller/younger kids go ahead of the older kids and helping one another out to keep it a safe and fun Halloween for all.
Editor's note: fireworks are scheduled to go ahead at 7:30 p.m. at the Causeway.
In order to make all these Halloween activities happen, we need a few more volunteers from the community to help make and serve the hot cider and host the Collins Hall Pumpkin Open House and help with decorations. If you’re available to help out, please call 9952, or [email protected]. Donations of candy, decorations, money or, best of all: your time, are much appreciated.
