If you’re already dreading the annual bout of sugar-induced insanity, never fear: There’s more to Halloween than just candy.
Burnaby families can find plenty of fun Halloween-themed offerings around the city to keep the kids busy for the next couple of weeks. We’ve rounded up some of them for this week’s column. Check it out:
1. ARRRRRR HOUSE … IS A VERY VERY VERY FINE HOUSE
Yes, it’s back. The annual Pirate House extravaganza is returning to 5970 Portland St. this year.
Captained by Julie Desroches, the elaborate Halloween display – dubbed Boozabuzza Island and featuring all the piratical trappings, including a sea, marina, shipyard, inn, cemetery and even a pirates’ protest board – is a fundraiser for St. Stephen’s Children’s Centre in Uganda.
This is the fifth year for the display, and Desroches says she was never expecting it to take off the way it has.
“We would never have thought five years ago that what was just a little Halloween project that we hoped could raise some money for St. Stephen’s Children’s Centre would become the catalyst for change that it has since become. Here we are now, a registered non-profit society with over 75 members, and we have raised about $50,000 for St. Stephen’s in the last five years,” she wrote in an email.
The Pirate House fundraiser itself has raised about $10,000 of that total.
The fundraiser has paid for a roof for the nursery school, solar electricity, rainwater harvesting tanks and desks, among others. Desroches is hoping this year’s display will raise enough to complete the licensing and registration process so St. Stephen Children’s Centre can become an official public school, and to complete the foundations for the rainwater harvesting tanks.
The display is open on Halloween night, Oct. 31, from 5 to 8 p.m. It’s family-friendly, and small ones are welcome. Anyone wanting to make a donation to the children’s centre is welcome to do so online at www.ststephenchildrenscentre.org. You can find out more about Pirate House at www.piratehouse.ca.
2. HAUNTED VILLAGE
It wouldn’t be Halloween in Burnaby without a visit to the Haunted Village.
Burnaby Village Museum is once again hosting its popular Halloween event, running nightly from Friday, Oct. 27 to Monday, Oct. 30.
You’re invited to explore the village in the dark and join in the Hill Street Bash. Costumes and dancing shoes are encouraged.
Your tour of the village can include Dead and Breakfast at the Love Farmhouse (expect such concoctions as Mice Krispies and Frosted Snakes), or a stop for broom repair at the Broom Closet, a seasonal business that has taken over the Royal Oak Garage.
Special entrance fees apply: $14 for adults, youth and seniors, $9 for kids aged two to 12, and free for museum members. Entrance rate includes trick-or-treating for kids, plus entertainment and carousel rides for all. The Ice Cream Parlour will be open for snacks and light meals.
See www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca or call 604-297-4565 for information.
3. BIG BOO FOR SMALL FOLKS
It’s back. Yes, the perennially popular Bonsor’s Big Boo! Event returns on Friday, Oct. 27 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
The night is full of activities aimed at kids aged 10 and under, including the Imagination Playground, crafts and games, cookies for kids, a haunted house, face painting, colouring and more. Kids must be accompanied by an adult, and it costs $1 per person.
It’s happening at Bonsor Recreation Complex, 6550 Bonsor Ave.
If you can’t make the Friday night fun, there’s also the Cameron Howler on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Cameron Recreation Complex. It’s aimed at kids aged nine and under (adults must accompany children).
Kids can enjoy crafts, face painting, the Imagination Playground, games, a movement circuit and more.
It’s free, but you’re welcome to bring along canned goods for the food bank.
See www.tinyurl.com/HalloweenBBY2017
4. GREAT PUMPKIN FUN
Linus and Charlie Brown would surely approve.
The C.G. Brown Memorial Pool is hosting a Great Pumpkin event on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Families can join in for games, candy and prizes (regular family swim admission rates apply).
Children seven years old and under must be accompanied by an adult in the water.
For those more inclined towards ice-related fun, you can also take part in a Ghouls and Goblins Toonie Skate at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Skating, face painting, creepy crafts and ghostly games are all promised. Skaters are encouraged to wear costumes. It’s free for kids three and under.
Check out www.tinyurl.com/HalloweenBBY2017 for full listings and details.
5. SCIENCE SPOOKTACULAR
Weird science is at the forefront of a fun Halloween event at SFU.
Simon Fraser University is bringing back its popular Science Spooktacular on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Costumes are welcome, and the event is open to all ages.
Science in Action and SFU’s faculty of science will present a host of Halloweeny science activities and demonstrations. Kids can get their hands on some fun activities, enjoy creepy creatures and watch and Phantom Physics and Cryptic Chemistry show at 2 and 4 p.m. in the Schrum Science Centre Lecture Theatre (B9200).
The fun takes place in the south concourse of the Academic Quadrangle.
Check out www.tinyurl.com/SFUSpooktacular2017 for the details and to sign up for free tickets. (Note that some shows may be sold out, but plenty of drop-in fun is still available).
Complimentary parking is available in the east lot.
6. GET CRAFTY
The Tommy Douglas library branch (7311 Kingsway) is offering a MakerSpace event called Adopt a Ghost on Monday, Oct. 30.
Kids aged four to 12 are welcome to stop in to create their very own pet ghosts and more. It’s free, and it’s a drop-in session so you don’t have to sign up ahead. Caregivers must accompany kids 10 and under.
See www.bpl.bc.ca/events for details.
7. HOMEMADE SUPERHEROES
Looking for a great costume?
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts is hosting a special Art on the Spot event called Homemade Superheroes, on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kids and families can drop in and join in as Tina Ozols from Oona Clothing guides you through the creation of an original costume for your superhero alter ego, using recycled fabrics and simple craft items.
It’s free – just drop by the atrium at the Shadbolt, 6450 Deer Lake Ave., to take part. Call 604-291-6864 for information.
8. HALLOWEEN TRAIN
The Burnaby Central Railway is inviting everyone to jump aboard for some Halloween fun.
There’s a special Halloween evening event on Tuesday, Oct. 31, with train rides from 6 to 9 p.m. It costs $3.50 per person, and there will be a free hot chocolate and cookie for every rider.
Riders will enjoy some spooky fun around the tracks at Confederation Park. It’s at 120 Willingdon Ave. N. (enter off Penzance).
Check out www.burnabyrailway.org for the details.
9. HALLOWEEN ON THE HEIGHTS
Once again, Burnaby’s Heights merchants are welcoming the community to come join in the annual Halloween on the Heights fun on Oct. 31.
From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., you can take kids to visit participating merchants along Hastings Street to receive some yummy treats – participating stores will display a pumpkin window decal, so you’ll know where to stop.
Check out www.burnabyheights.com.
10. HAUNTED WALKING TOURS
Pre-registration is needed, and tours cost $21. The tours are on Friday, Oct. 27, Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29 at 9 p.m. Register by phone at 604-297-4565 or see www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca.
Do you have an item for Family Ties? Send your Halloween fun ideas to Julie, [email protected].
