Halloween events coming up in Shelburne

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Leaves are turning, days are getting darker, and Halloween is a little more than two week away. 

Shelburne businesses and volunteer groups are teaming up this year to host multiple events throughout the town for community members with the Spooktacular Shelburne event series. 

Little Family Haunt in the Park:
Oct. 30 and Oct. 31

The Little Family are kicking off the Halloween spirit this year with the return of their annual Haunt in the Park. 

“The Little family has been putting on the haunt in one form or another since 1993 and it's very hard for us to say we can't do something,” said Carola Little. “We will be putting on the Haunt in the Park somewhat as usual with our walk-through haunted house.” 

Starting the Halloween weekend festivities off, the Little Family is bring back their Character Walk from last year, which was originally used as a way to continue their Halloween tradition for the community and collect food donations for the local food bank. 

“Surprisingly to us we realize that COVID-19 actually brought another aspect that we wouldn't have looked at before, by going into town,” said Little, who added that some of the haunts scariest characters will be making an appearance. 

At the Haunt in the Park, located at Fiddle Park, children and those not looking for too big of a scare will be able to walk through the haunted house in daylight on Saturday (Oct. 30) from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. with the Little's Mini-Boo. A costume contest booth is also being sponsored by Apex Realty. 

On both Saturday (Oct. 30) and Sunday (Oct. 31) night the Haunt in the Park will run from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Admission to the haunted house are free with donations to the Shepherd's Cupboard Food Bank being accepted. 

Details on safety protocols will be released in the weeks leading up to
the event. 

Treats In the Streets: Oct. 30

The Shelburne BIA is bringing back their Treats in the Streets event for 2021 with downtown business on Owen Sound Street and Main Street open for Trick-or-Treating. 

Melissa Hooper, Treasurer of the BIA, told the Free Press that after cancelling the event last year for the pandemic the BIA is attempting to get events in downtown Shelburne going again. 

“I was really nice, for two years it was a good event and we're hoping we will see some sort of turnout,” said Hooper. 

Treat in the Streets is scheduled for
Saturday (Oct. 30) from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

CDRC Trick-or-Treat Drive Thru: 

Oct. 30

A first year success for the local recreation centre with over 200 kids and families taking part, the CDRC is hosting their Trick-or-Treat Drive Thru once again. 

“We ran the Trick-or-Treat Drive Thru last year just to bring some spirit back to the community and it was a huge hit,” said Emily Francis, at the CDRC. 

“We thought that it'd be fun to bring it back to the community again, and provide some volunteer opportunities for some of the youth as well as an opportunity for the businesses to get out there.” 

The CDRC is looking for business and volunteers to get involved in the event, which can be done by contacting Emily at the rec complex at efrancis@shelburne.ca

Registration is required to attend and is available through the CDRC and Shelburne website. The Trick-or-Treat Drive Thru is scheduled for Oct. 30 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Pumpkin Carving and Spooky House Décor Contest: Oct. 30 

Go With Crowe Real Estate will be hosting a pumpkin carving and spooky house décor contest this year, which participants able to participate in one or both events. 

“We did it for the first time later year, and we were blown away by the creativity, the spirit, and the energy of the community. It was incredible so it was definitely something we wanted to do again,” said Claire Knight, organizer. 

Knight said in both contests they're looking for kids to get creative with their designs – whether it's decorating a pumpkin instead of carving and creating the spookiest and unique house. 

The grand prize for the contest will be a $150 Great Wolf Lodge gift card, with other smaller prizes from local businesses awarded to participants for runner ups. 

A committee of volunteer judges will be going around at dusk on Oct. 30 to see the homes and pumpkins. Participants must register by texting their address to 519-993-6226.

The CDRC is looking for business and volunteers to get involved in the event, which can be done by contacting Emily at the rec complex at efrancis@shelburne.ca

Registration is required to attend and is available through the CDRC and Shelburne website. The Trick-or-Treat Drive Thru is scheduled for Oct. 30 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Pumpkin Carving and Spooky House Décor Contest: Oct. 30 

Go With Crowe Real Estate will be hosting a pumpkin carving and spooky house décor contest this year, which participants able to participate in one or both events. 

“We did it for the first time later year, and we were blown away by the creativity, the spirit, and the energy of the community. It was incredible so it was definitely something we wanted to do again,” said Claire Knight, organizer. 

Knight said in both contests they're looking for kids to get creative with their designs – whether it's decorating a pumpkin instead of carving and creating the spookiest and unique house. 

The grand prize for the contest will be a $150 Great Wolf Lodge gift card, with other smaller prizes from local businesses awarded to participants for runner ups. 

A committee of volunteer judges will be going around at dusk on Oct. 30 to see the homes and pumpkins. Participants must register by texting their address to
519-993-6226.