Alcona’s Spooktacular trick-or-treating event is just too much fun to be permanently derailed by COVID-19.
The daytime Halloween event invites kids to dress up in costume, and trick-or-treat with their families at participating businesses, most located along Innisfil Beach Road. The Lakeshore ideaLAB & Library is usually also a scheduled stop.
Spooktacular was originally run by the Town of Innisfil, designed to boost support for local merchants. But when the town stepped back in 2019, Monique Siozou of Johnny Burger, a local restaurant, stepped up.
In 2019, it was Siozou who contacted local businesses, encouraging them to place Spooktacular participation posters in their windows, and hand out candy and other treats to visitors during the event.
Last year, a surge in COVID cases led to the cancellation of Spooktacular - but this year the event will be back, bigger and better than ever, on Oct. 30.
Siozou has partnered with neighbouring dance school, Miss Jennie’s Performing Arts Studio. The two locations will be the heart of Spooktacular - the place where families can drop by to pick up a list of participating merchants, and businesses without a bricks-and-mortar presence can set up a table, and hand out promotional information and treats.
There is no charge, “except the businesses have to buy the candy,” says Siozou – not necessarily a small item, since in past years up to 500 children have participated.
The numbers are "weather-related,” she notes, although Spooktacular will be going ahead, rain or shine.
Johnny Burger and Miss Jennie’s Performing Arts Studio will also be the hub where kids can register for something new this year: a Halloween costume contest, with prizes sponsored by businesses that include The Fork and Plate Family Restaurant, Johnny Burger, Alcona Sobeys, Miss Jennie’s Performing Arts, and Generation Power.
Spooktacular takes place Satruday, Oct. 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local businesses have until Oct. 25 to sign up for the Halloween event and receive a poster to display.
Spooktacular has become a favourite with local families because it takes place during the daytime, and offers trick-or-treating and "safe candy" under safe, controlled conditions. As Siozou says, “If we can get 100 percent attendance at concerts, we can do trick-or-treating!”
For more information, please email [email protected]
A reminder: face masks and proof of vaccination may be required to enter some premises, although much of Spooktacular will be outdoors.
The Cookstown Chamber of Commerce is hosting a similar event in Cookstown. BOOnanza will take place on Oct. 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, click here.
