Grab your coats, your gumboots and a flashlight - there's plenty of spooky fun to be had for the kids this month. We've compiled a list of fun events happening around Burnaby and New Westminster in the coming weeks as Halloween approaches.
HAUNTED HISTORY
What better place for the ghosts of yesteryear to make their presence known than at Burnaby Village Museum?
But ghosts aren't the only otherwordly presence about to take over the city's heritage site: vampires, witches, monsters and ghoulish grave diggers are all gearing up for the annual Haunted Village event, running Oct. 28, 29 and 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. nightly.
The event includes a Vampire Ball on Main Street, coffin shopping, a Voodoo Café, a circus sideshow and ghostly moans from the cemetery, to name just a few.
There is also a chance for children to trick-ortreat in their costumes.
Tickets are $14 for adults, youth and seniors; and $9 for children aged 2 to 12. Entrance includes trick-or-treating for children and unlimited carousel rides.
On Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the musuem will also host the Haunted Carousel Carnival, a daytime program aimed at younger children and families looking for a Halloween celebration without too much "fright factor." There will be carnival games, Halloween crafts and carnival rides. Entrance at that time will be $6.50 for non-members and $5.85 for members. Participants must pre-register by calling 604-297-4546 or online at http: //www.burnaby.ca/ online/webreg.html with code 255851.
IN THE SKY
On Halloween itself, head over to Gilmore Community School in Burnaby for a professional fireworks show, running rain or shine.
The display kicks off at 8: 15 p.m. and is free, with hot chocolate and coffee available for $1, starting at 7: 45 p.m. Proceeds go to the B.C. Professional Firefighters Association Burn Fund.
The event is sponsored by Gilmore Community School council with support from the Heights Neighbourhood Association and the Heights Merchant Association. Organizers note that, for safety reasons, children must be accompanied by an adult.
HAUNTINGS
The Quarto family is continuing their annual Halloween tradition with an even bigger haunted house. They have constructed an 1,100 square foot fully enclosed attraction with fog machines, strobe lights, six themed rooms and hallways. Family members serve as live actors in the attraction to up the chills. Donations will go to B.C. Children's Hospital. The house is at 4260 Dundas St.
Meanwhile, just over the border into Vancouver, there's a haunted house at 3166 East 16th Ave., that's running from Oct. 29 to 31, from 6 to 9: 30 p.m. nightly - by donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Carpenter Scott Lee works by day in the film industry and has used his building skills every year for nearly a decade to turn his house into a spookfest; in the last three years, he's raised more than $3,000 for Make-A-Wish.
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
The Bettiols, at 3736 Forest St., have been decorating their house for Halloween since 1992, and they're gearing up for this year. Last year, son Aaron, 16, took over the design and decorating.
I also got word from that a home on Georgia Street has been extensively decorated for the Halloween season. Check out 4578 Georgia St. for some spooky chills.
FLICK FUN
Calling all mummies - or, make that mommies, and mommies to be. Movies for Mommies is offering up a special in honour of their 10th anniversary during the week of Oct. 24 and, with one of its locations in Burnaby, there's a local opportunity to take part. BYOB (or Bring Your Own Bump) invites new moms to bring along an expectant friend, with two-for-one admission. In Burnaby, this program is running at Dolphin Theatre on Hastings Street. See www. moviesformommies.com
MONSTER MARSH
Metro Vancouver parks are inviting kids of all ages down to a family-friendly (and free) event happening at Burnaby Lake. Help solve the mystery of the "Monster of the Marsh." Check out "beastly" tracks and eerie night calls during this Halloween themed mystery. The program, which takes about one hour to complete, will run from 1 to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 22. Ideal for "detectives" six years old and up. Meet at the Burnaby Lake Nature House on Piper Avenue off Winston Street. See www.metrovancouver.org.
FRIGHT NIGHT
The Wicked Witch of the West End (Suzanne Parnell) along with husband, Brian and daughter, Trudy, say they'll be scaring trick-or-treaters and their parents on Halloween with their haunted house, graveyard and "unholy dead." They are looking for extras - "dead people" to help out with the house. Anyone interested can call 6045227428. The house is at 1507 London St. in New West.
CARVING TIME
There's a handful of pumpkin carving events for different age groups in New Westminster. On Oct. 26, youth in grades 8 and up can gather at the youth centre from 3: 30 to 5: 30 p.m. for carving. Register for this free event by calling 604-515-3775.
Over at Queensborough Community Centre, all ages (with parent participation) are invited to attend the sixth annual pumpkin carving party on Oct. 28. RSVP for this free event by calling 6045257388.
And, on Oct. 24, kids are invited to take part in the family pumpkin carving event at Centennial Community Centre, from 6 to 7: 30 p.m. Registration is $5 per family, call 6047775100 for information.
IN THE RABBIT HOLE
The Canada Games Pool will take on an Alice in Wonderland theme for a swim night on Oct. 26 from 6: 30 to 8: 30 p.m. Regular admission rates apply.
And at nearby Queen's Park Arenex, on Oct. 28 from 9 to 11: 30 a.m., kids aged 1 to 6 are invited to dress up for the Motoring Munchkins Halloween Party. Drop-in fee of $3.25 for parent and one child, with $1 for each additional child, applies. Call 604-777-5121 for more info.
ON THE ICE
Get on the ice for the annual and always popular Haunted Halloween Family Skate, for all ages, at Moody Park Arena in New Westminster on Oct. 29. Prizes will be handed out for best costumes. The event runs 6: 30 to 8 p.m., with regular drop-in admission rates. Call 604-525-5301 for more info.
