SUNDRE – The local museum and library once again teamed up to deliver some family-friendly fun in the lead-up to Halloween.
Hundreds of people including plenty of children dropped by the Sundre and District Museum on Saturday, Oct. 26 for the return of the annual Halloween Extravaganza.
The activities got started at about 5 p.m. with some carnival games put on by the Sundre Municipal Library at the museum’s Mayton building.
“We saw 189 people, approximately 75 of whom were children,” Joy Willihnganz, library manager, told the Albertan in response to follow-up questions.
“We handed out about 2,500 pieces of candy,” said Willihnganz.
Among some of the numerous noteworthy costumes were Willy Wonka, a variety of first responders such as firefighters, as well as an entire family that dressed up in the theme of the Disney Pixar family comedy movie Inside Out, she said.
Organizers were also glad that the fair fall weather of late held steady.
“The weather was beautiful and we are grateful for all the community and business support for this event over the last four years,” she said, also expressing appreciation to the museum for coordinating in the spirit of partnership to help continue delivering Halloween fun for the community.
Tours of the haunted village – which were facilitated courtesy of 25 volunteers who contributed to the setup, clean-up and execution of the event – got started at 6:30 p.m. and went on until about 8:30 p.m., said Carrie Couch, the museum’s executive director, adding that 203 people came through with more than 500 pieces of candy dolled out along the way.
Couch was also relieved the conditions held out long enough for the outdoor event.
“The weather was gorgeous,” she said, adding the volunteers were also pleased that the weather cooperated.
“It made the outdoor event so much nicer to participate in.”
Taking down and cleaning as well as packing everything up on Tuesday, Oct. 29 following the hail-producing thunderstorm that swept over Sundre the evening prior made the work “a little wet and wintery,” she said.
“But we pulled together and got the village and building decorations safely put away for the next season.”
Extending gratitude not only to everybody who supported the event but also everyone who provided non-perishable items for the McDougal Chapel’s Plus One emergency food hamper program, Couch said the volunteers and museum staff looked forward to delivering the donations.
“The event was a success because of everyone who contributed,” she said, also expressing her appreciation to the library.
“We feel very honoured to host this annual event for the community and to work with the Beck family in continuing Ryan Beck’s community legacy and leadership with the Halloween traditions he began so many years ago.”
