Sensational Elora fundraising for permanent sculpture storage with new campaign
ELORA – Sensational Elora is fundraising for a permanent place to store over 140 sculptures used during Monster Month, a popular community event drawing thousands to town.
The sculptures, created by Tim Murton, are rented by businesses and displayed as the “Twilight Zoo” throughout October.
“Sensational Elora is responsible for caring for and storing the creatures. Over the years, the monsters have been housed in improvised locations that exposed them to damp conditions and wildlife, leading to damage and ongoing repairs,” officials state in a news release.
“Current rental costs have made storage even scarier,” the release adds.
Wellington County is willing to provide space for a 40-foot shipping container at its public works garage in Elora for a fee, according to the release.
But Sensational Elora, which raises money from events to address food insecurity in Centre Wellington, doesn’t have enough cash from sculpture rentals to pay for their storage.
‘Contain the Monsters’
The organization’s “Contain the Monsters” campaign is aimed at raising $20,000.
“As part of Contain the Monsters, we are hosting a trivia night fundraiser,” officials said in the release.
Trivia night is scheduled for April 10 from 7 to 10pm at the Elora Legion.
Prizes, a silent auction, and monster mingling are all planned, organizers said, but donations for prizes and the silent auction are being sought.
“Merchandise, gift cards, discounts, and/or service-based donations, regardless of size and/or value, are all welcome. No amount of support is too small, and we value every bit of it.”
Businesses can create teams for the trivia night.
Sensational Elora said it will reach out to local businesses and community supporters for sponsorship opportunities.
“To our community, these creatures are more than props — they’re what makes Monster Month special,” organizers said.
“With the community’s help, we can give them a safe, permanent Twilight Zoo.”
Tickets are available at zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/help-contain-the-monsters-trivia-night.
Keep an eye for a “monsters on the loose” scavenger hunt this spring in support of the campaign.
