If you’re searching for a good early trick-or-treating locale for this Halloween, look no farther than downtown Qualicum Beach.
The Qualicum Beach Downtown Business Association is once again hosting its Downtown Trick-or-Treat event on Friday, Oct. 31 from 3-5:30 p.m. This free, community event provides a safe environment for kids to trick-or-treat during daylight hours.
“It was so much fun last year,” said Samantha Hull, co-owner of Café Brie. “We made 100 cookies and they were gone in an hour.”
According to a news release, children 12 years of age and younger, in costume, are welcome to join the festivities. Participating businesses will feature an “Official Monster Merchant” poster in their window and orange and black balloons outside their front door. Last year, an estimated 200-300 children and their parents trick-or-treated around downtown.
Other free activities during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat include mystery boxes at Lefty’s Restaurant, a colouring contest at Re/Max Anchor Realty, Halloween crafts at the Qualicum Toy Shop and spooky stories at the library from 3:30-5 p.m.
Café Brie will also again participate in the event this year with Halloween cookie decorating.
“It helps people find out exactly what is in their town,” said Hull, who explained how some of the parents who treated themselves to a coffee while their kids decorated last Halloween are still coming back for lunch.
The Qualicum Beach Downtown Business Association reminds parents that children must be accompanied by an adult at all times during this event. They also ask that the public be mindful of traffic and pedestrian patterns because “children will be running around a little excited.”
For more information, e-mail the Qualicum Beach Downtown Business Association at events@qualicumbeachdowntown.ca
Other Halloween events happening this weekend (that weren’t in our wrap-up in Tuesday’s edition of
The NEWS) include:
• Halloween Celebration and Fireworks
Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
6:30 p.m.
Free
Hot dogs, hot cocoa. Follow the pumpkins to the Community Park for fireworks at 7:45 p.m.
• Coombs Candy Walk
Coombs Fairgrounds
6 p.m.
Admission by donation
Fairy tale themed trick-or-treat walk, cake walk, haunted house and concession. Fireworks at 7:45 p.m.
• Meadowood Corcarnival Halloween Celebration
Meadowood Community Park
6:30 p.m.
Free
Haunted walk, dragon bouncy castle, bonfire, live entertainment, concession and fireworks
• CHRCO Halloween Monster Ball
Coombs Rodeo Grounds
8 p.m. - 12 a.m., doors at 7 p.m.
Advance tickets $15 (Cranky Dog, Coombs General Store and Cruisers Grill); $20 at the door
Dance the night away to the CODI Band. Prizes for best individual and couples costumes. Cash bar, free coffee/tea/soda for designated drivers. Free overnight RV camping available.
Nov. 1
• Halloween Dance
Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
9 p.m., doors at 8 p.m.
Advance tickets $20 (Wilde & Sparrow and MOD Apparel)
No minors. Hosted by Bash Events Planning. Live band Baby Jane, prizes for best costume and a shuttle by donation to get you and your car home safe. Portion of proceeds to go to the Vancouver Islanders hockey team.