HARRISTON – The Harriston Halloween Haunt is returning for a night of thrills and chills.
On Oct. 24, a portion Elora Street South in downtown Harriston will be closed for the event, starting at 6pm. The Harriston Rising committee has hosted the event for several years.
“There’s going to be lots of candy for the kids,” committee member Peggy Raftis told the Community News.
The night begins with trick-or-treating from 6 to 8pm at various businesses lining both sides of the road.
“In the past we’ve handed out bags but this year we’re not … everybody is supposed to bring their own bag,” Raftis said.
“New this year we’re having a pre-carved jack-o’-lantern contest,” from 6 to 7pm, she added, with three age categories and three prizes to win.
“The Grey Wellington Theatre Guild is holding a haunted theatre,” she said, which is appropriate for all ages, with treats at the end.
“Also new this year, we’re having a youth dance upstairs in the [Harriston] Legion from 7 until 10pm and it’s ages eight to 13,” she said.
The dance is free and includes soda pop and snacks available for sale.
Parents/guardians are welcome to enjoy a drink in the club room downtown at the Legion.
Registration for the dance is not required but recommended to give the committee an idea of attendance numbers.
“It’s a fun-filled family event that doesn’t cost anything to the community members,” Raftis said.
“I think it’s good recognition for the businesses that participate.”
Within 30 minutes of registration opening on Oct. 1, the event filled half of the trick-or-treating spots. Now the event is completely full, but a waitlist is available (only the children participating need to register).
“We only want to know the number of people that are getting candy,” Raftis said. “It’s not that we don’t want to have everybody, it’s that we need to give the businesses an estimated number of kids we’re expecting so they have enough candy.”
The committee is expecting approximately 300 kids.
“Some of the restaurants are doing specials for the night and we’ve booked a couple of food trucks,” she said.
There will also be tables in the middle of the road, providing a spot for guests to relax or enjoy some food.
For more information visit harristonrising.ca/halloween-haunt.
