Sensational Elora holding fundraisers to build new monster ‘zoo’

ELORA – The monsters have outgrown their “zoo” and if something doesn’t happen soon, they could take over Elora.

And so Sensational Elora, the volunteer organization that mostly focuses on food insecurity issues, is holding a fundraiser so it can build a workshop dedicated to storing and maintaining the monsters.

Everyone knows and loves the monsters, created by artist Tim Murton, that come out for Monster Month around Halloween and draw visitors from near and far.

Sensational Elora has been storing them at Ralson CanSafe for several years, and last year was able to use space above the Gorge Cinema as well.

“They’ve been going strong for decades and every year we add a few more,” said Kirk McElwain, chair of Sensational Elora.

“With the Gorge Cinema starting renovations, we’ve run out of space. So we’re raising money to build a workshop and storage shed.”

So on June 10th they are holding “Monster Mash: the midsummer version.”

“It’s a dance, it’s a costume party, it’s an evening of excellent live music provided by The Elora House Band featuring D’Eve Archer, and it’s an evening of great food provided by local restaurants and caterers,” McElwain said.

Doors open at 7:30pm and showtime is 8:30.

Tickets are $25 and are available at https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/40840.

McElwain said the township is letting Sensational Elora build the workshop/storage space on land behind the Elora Curling Club and the group is applying for a Trillium grant.

Once the funding is in place, they hope to build the facility next year, McElwain said.

The organization is also holding a Pub Night on June 23, with the Goofy Newfie, the Breadalbane Inn and the Brewhouse on the Grand participating.

Guests will be divided into three groups. Each group will rotate through the restaurants and get an appetizer at one, a main meal at the second and a dessert at the third.

There will be some street music to entertain as they are ushered from one pub to the next.

“This is a great evening and an awful lot of people return year after year for this,” he added.

More details plus links to purchase tickets for both events, can be found at www.sensationalelora.com.