As a second Halloween in the time of COVID-19 is upon us, local activities are continuing outdoors.
Earlier this month, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry encouraged people to keep Halloween celebrations small and outside. Here are some free festivities happening along the Coast:
Dancing witches
On Saturday, Oct. 30, a coven of 20 witches will descend upon Sechelt. After rehearsing for four weeks, the spooky sisters will perform the German witch dance at 10 different downtown venues.
The public is invited to witness the tradition starting at 1 p.m. in the Sechelt Library’s park. Next, they’ll fly to Trail Bay Centre outside of the liquor store, along Teredo Street, up the stairs to the Watermark common area, the end of Inlet Avenue, then over to Friendship Park and Acacia Park, outside the Bank of Montreal, and in front of Cowrie Medical Clinic.
They will be performing their dance at each location. Weather permitting, the witches will share a brew at Brickers Cidery.
The coven first came together in 2018, organizer Kathy Hobbs said. For much of the year, they are dormant. In the weeks leading up to Halloween, however, they dust the cobwebs off their dancing shoes to prepare for their yearly haunt. They’ll be moving to the spirit of some German tunes.
Pumpkins galore
The second annual Underwater Pumpkin Contest is diving in at Irvines Landing on Oct. 30. At 11 a.m., the Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) and Seadog Divers Den will host divers, who take their gourds to the depths and carve ’em up. Non-divers are invited to gather around the outdoor fire pit and vote for their favourite pumpkin creation between noon and 1 p.m.
The winners will be announced at one. Last year, there were four divers participating and Jenn Blancard, a PODS field biologist and the event organizer, hopes there will be more for 2021. First place wins a pure wool Pollen Sweater from Lund, while the second-place prize is to be announced. Third place gets candy.
Underwater video footage of the carvers in action can be watched from last year’s contest at https://youtu.be/SRkqPtJU1D4.
In Halfmoon Bay, more pumpkins will light up the trail between Lohn and Hart roads on Halloween night. The Halloween Pumpkin Trail is open for all to come to the Welcome Woods area and enjoy the creative carvings. Carvers are invited to place their ghoulish gourd (with candle or battery-operated light) on the trail any time after 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31 and volunteers will light them up.
Candy in the Creek
EEK the Creek returns to haunt the Roberts Creek Community Hall on Halloween, Oct. 31. From noon to 4 p.m., Creekers are invited to disguise themselves in their scariest costumes for this free, family-friendly event outside of the hall. The Roberts Creek Community Association will host spooky music, a photo booth, games and, of course, candy.
Fireworks
The fireworks display put on by shíshálh Nation has been cancelled for the second year in a row.
According to the Sunshine Coast Regional District, fireworks permits have been issued in Roberts Creek and a community display is planned for Egmont.
Safety reminders
Last year, people across B.C. came up with creative ways to stay safe while getting spooky, with candy chutes emerging as a way to give out candy from a distance. Other tips from the BC Centre for Disease Control include using tongs to hand out candy to prevent touch, and offering individual treats instead of a shared candy bowl.
Masks are also encouraged, and can be incorporated as part of a costume. Decorators are asked not to use any props, such as smoke machines, that may cause coughing. Anyone who is sick or self-isolating is reminded to turn off their porch lights and stay home.
