What: 21st Annual Trick or Treat Extravaganza
When: Wednesday, Oct. 31
Where: Tapley’s Farm
Admission: Free
Whistler’s littlest witches and warlocks celebrate the Great Pumpkin at the 21st annual Trick or Treat Extravaganza on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at Tapley’s Farm.
“It’s dark. It’s stormy. There are masses of kids and adults all dressed up and running around,” said organizer Julie Hamilton. “A lot of the homes, people go all out with decorations. Some work together and create mazes through yards. Some set up projectors with scary movies on their houses others do full haunted houses. It’s an amazing community event.”
In a town where many visitor homes are dark, the Trick or Treat Extravaganza provides a safe, fun and haunting evening with an incredible community feel. The streets of the residential area are closed off to car traffic from dusk until 7:30 p.m. to safely accommodate the hundreds of trick or treaters.
“You pretty much know everyone,” Hamilton said. “The neighbourhood puts 110 per cent into it. They are fantastic. The excitement is already in the air. This weekend and next weekend excitement is building as tombstones are getting built.”
Whether a murder scene marked off with police tape or a pumpkin patch of Van Gogh-inspired jack-o’-lanterns, no horror is spared the more than 600 ghosts and goblins taking to the streets of Tapley’s Farm. All homes compete to the win the infamous Best Decorated House Contest. The winner will be awarded with the most visitors.
With 600 children knocking on doors, supplies of trick or treat candy can be costly. Therefore, the entire community helps out by donating candy at various locations around Whistler, including Myrtle Philip Community School, Spring Creek Community School, Whistler and Spring Creek Children’s Centres, Teddy Bear Daycare and 6448 Toad Hallow in Tapley’s Farm. Donations are accepted up until Oct. 30.
A free shuttle from Marketplace, called the Park and Spook, will provide free transportation to the event. The vans leave every 10 minutes.
Shaw TV’s Pumpkin Patrol will also be on site. The new program brings a little light and warmth to the dark and stormy evening with glow bracelets and hot chocolate to warm cold hands.
Also new this year, the UNICEF program underwent a makeover. Instead of children trick or treating with little orange boxes at the event, kids are now raising money for the charity over the entire month of October.
Rain, shine or snow, pirates and princesses will trick or treat their way down to the lower soccer field at Myrtle Philip by 7:30 p.m. to watch the seventh annual fireworks display hosted by Nesters Market.
“There is a real sense of community, so many people support it: the IGA, The Grocery Store and Nesters Market,” Hamilton said. “All of the candy for the night is donated by the community.”
Hamilton recommends parents bring a flashlight to the event.
“I lose my children every year; you start talking to adults, because you know everyone there, and your kids are off and excited to visit all the houses,” Hamilton said.
For more information about the event or UNICEF, contact Julie at 604-902-1860.
