It’s that time of year when the village prepares for its most spirited celebration: Halloween.
Elora will come alive with activities in October as Monster Month launches 31 days and nights of shopping, dining, entertainment, and Halloween events.
Spooky activities will occur all over the village. Carve a pumpkin, dance the night away at a costume party, take a lantern walking tour, make a creepy craft, attend a horror flick, and dine on “fangtastic” meals by moonlight.
The focal point of Monster Month is the Elora Halloween Scare Fair, which takes place at The Elora Centre for the Arts Oct. 21 to 23. It is a weekend similar to any fair with an opportunity to shop at the Bizarre Bazaar, witness ghoulish shows on a shipwreck stage, play ghostly games, get a face painted, join the Elora Monster March parade, enjoy a tarot card reading and sample some devilishly delicious food
Tim Murton’s Twilight Zoo will be on display. After 8pm things get scarier as the night creeps in.
General admission for the Scare Fair is $7 or $25 for a “family” of five, and free for ages 5 and under. With this arts fundraiser, 40 per cent of the proceeds go to the centre and the remainder helps pay for expenses.
The Twilight Zoo has been a family favourite for 15 years and is back by popular demand. Recently returned from a guest appearance on the Martha Stewart Halloween Special (to be aired Oct. 24 on the Hallmark Channel), Murton features 70 of his wire and paper sculptures that are illuminated at night.
Special features at the Scare Fair include: The Main Street Players Show of Which Map is Which, a dangerous yet hilarious tale on the high seas and after dark, The Main Street Players will perform Escape from Elora, a snapshot of the historic horrors of Elora.
Fight Like a Pirate is a chance to win against the Dread Pirate Roger (with a foam sword). Catch a performance by the Fergus Elora Dance Academy or join a creepy cool craft.
Or enjoy a less scary lantern lit excursion by storytellers Al Koop and Gary Bryant of Elora Tours and Older Voices (tickets separate from the fair admission).
Then on Oct. 22 the third annual non-motorized Elora Monster March Parade will begin at 6:30pm departing MacDonald Square. The Monster March is the perfect chance to show off a costume, meet friends and celebrate Halloween.
Everyone is invited to everyone to have his face painted for the parade at the Scare Fair then join when the parade finishes at the Elora Centre for the Arts.
All month long find a fun Halloween photo station in downtown Elora and take a ghastly shot by camera or phone and then submit it to halloweenelora@cogeco.ca and see it posted on the www.elora.info and www.twilight zoo.ca websites.
Carve a pumpkin on Oct. 8 at Bissell Park at 10am, join a craft class at the Junior Arts Collective on Metcalfe Street.
Fergus joins in with two Halloween favourite films at the Fergus Grand Theatre. There is also visit to the Grand River Raceway on Oct. 24 from 6 to 8pm for the annual Hallo’whinny.
Finally, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is annual favourite, presented at the Gorge Cinema on Oct. 29 at 9:30pm.
For more information, please visit www.twilightzoo.com or email halloweenelora@cogeco.ca.
Organizers are looking for volunteers for the fair and zoo, from ticket takers to zombies.
