Despite COVID-19, Halloween events still a go in Grande Prairie

The Grande Prairie Downtown Association is not letting COVID-19 stifle their desire to put on their annual Halloween Walking Parade.

The event, in previous years, would take place mostly indoors and would feature a costume contest, as well a trick-or-treat walk through downtown where kids would go to various members of the Downtown Association to collect some candy.

This year’s event will take place at the Helen A. Rice Plaza on the east side of Revolution Place.

The event began on October 29, to ensure that as many people as possible can attend. Halloween Saturday is the events final day.

Wendy Bosch with the Downtown Association told EverythingGP that there is lots for people to check out.

“We have the Cavalcade Theatre group painting four different Halloween scenes, so we’ll have four different vignettes set up. We’ll have music, some rovers, entertainment, there will be a couple food trucks there this year, (and) we’ll do the best that we can so these kids don’t feel they’ve been forgotten by us. We want these kids to know that we are thinking about them.”

Unfortunately, the Downtown Association says it will not be allowed to handout candy this year because of COVID-19 restrictions. More details on how the photo contest will work will be released closer to the event.

The event takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and those in attendance are encouraged to space out and practice physical distancing.

City of Grande Prairie’s Halloween Spooktacular

The City of Grande Prairie is keeping with their Halloween Spooktacular plans for this year.

The event takes place from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Grande Prairie Museum’s Heritage Village in Muskoseepi Park.

Guests interested in attending must book their time slots in advance. The cost is $2 per child, but there is no cost for adults that accompany children.

Organizers say that physical distancing will be maintained, by only allowing 30 children in per time slot. Proper sanitization practices and masking will also be in effect.

The event will happen regardless if there is rain or snow, attendees are asked to dress for the weather.

Prairie Mall costume & pumpkin carving contest

The Prairie Mall will be adjusting their Halloween plans to online this year.

The mall regularly see’s over 4,000 trick or treaters walk through the doors and collect candy within a two-hour time frame, however with COVID-19 regulations that will not be possible this year.

On the Prairie Mall Facebook page, residents are encouraged to enter both a costume contest and pumpkin carving contest. Both contests run until November 1.

Entering is simple, all you have to do is upload a picture of your costume or pumpkin carving to their Facebook page and you are entered into the contest.

The winners of the contests are eligible to win various different prizes that are still being determined.

Grande Sunset Theatre Halloween “Scare-athon”

The Grande Sunset Theatre will be hosting a Friday The 13^th “Scare-athon” on Halloween night.

The event is recommended for people over the age of 18 and the theatre will play every Friday The 13^th film.

Gates for the movie open at 6:30, with the movies starting at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advanced.

All of the funds from the purchased tickets go directly to charity. Volunteers in the area will also be dressed up in scary costumes.

So far, Linoel Robins, the President of the Grande Sunset Theatre, tells EverythingGP that the theatre has raised between $20,000- $25,000 for local charities. Robins hopes that they can have one more big night to send the charities into the holiday season on a positive note.

Those attending are encouraged to bring your own food and snacks as there will be no food concessions. There will also be boosters available incase your car dies during the movies.

Those in attendance are also free to leave at any time and you do not have to stay for all three movies.

by Shane Clausing

Despite COVID-19, Halloween events still a go in Grande Prairie

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