Creepy Castlegar
By Kyra Hoggan
Organizers are confident the spectre of vandalism will not be haunting the annual Spooks on Zooks Hallowe’en event at Zuckerberg Island this year, despite last year’s high-jinks.
Heritage Society manager Deb McIntosh says Search and Rescue has, in the past, provided security services for the event, to ensure all the things that go bump in the night are in good fun – but they were unable to participate last year.
“They’re back this year, though, so I don’t think there will be an issue,” she said. “If something scares people, it will be because we meant it to.”
She said the annual Spooks on Zooks fundraiser has been creeping out Castlegar for more than a decade now, raising much-needed money to help support both the Station Museum and Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park, through the auspices of the Castlegar Heritage Society.
A nominal entry fee ($4; $3 for kids 10 and under) covers a hot dog and hot chocolate as well as admission to the family fright-fest …if you dare.
The Stanley Humphries Secondary School grad committee, along with numerous volunteers, have set up scary surprises that start at the creaking suspension bridge…. and continue as the island’s eerie nighttime ambiance is augmented by ghosts, ghouls and maybe even (gasp!) some members of city council.
Goodie bags for the kids and burning barrels to warm frozen fingers add to the experience – and with the venue open only one night this year (as opposed to the traditional two nights of Hallowe’ens past), McIntosh said it’s worth marking on the calendar.
“We’re only doing the one night this year, Saturday, and we’re hosting it a week before Hallowe’en to extend the holiday a bit and make sure people don’t have to choose between this and other favourite Hallowe’en activities … we want Castlegar residents to be able to have their candy and eat it, too.”
The spooktacular soiree is set for Oct. 24, from 7 to 10 p.m.
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