There is going to be some spooky things going on in Penticton on the scariest night of the year.
The Second Annual Zombie Walk and Costume Parade will start off the trick or treating early on Oct. 31.
Returning for a second year, the event hopes to reproduce the turnout from the first outing last year.
“It was a huge success,” Kerri Milton, executive director with the Downtown Penticton Association, said. “Lot’s of people came out last year. All kinds of costumes and all kinds of ages from little guys to older people and lots of people brought their dogs dressed up.”
Despite the name, the parade is not restricted to zombies. Any kind of costume is encouraged, however, there is a prize for the best zombie.
The event hopes to fill the gap between when young trick or treaters are getting out of school and before they head out for a night of trick or treating.
More businesses have been getting involved since last year’s walk, including the Brain Injury Society, which will be raffling off prizes, including helmets. The event will also feature a Halloween backdrop where people can take spooky photos.
Some downtown businesses will be participating in trick or treating, giving out goodies to young ghouls and ghosts. Businesses that are taking part will be marked with a pumpkin out front, indicating you can come on in for some treats.
There will be four categories of costume awards including best zombie, best original costume, best group costume and best dressed pet.
Brian Wyatt, with Sherwood Trophies and Sportswear Penticton, will be hosting the panel of judges to determine who will walk away with the prize baskets filled with assorted goodies from downtown businesses.
The Zombie Walk takes place from 4-6 p.m., with the parade starting at 4:30 p.m. in Nanaimo Square.
As the sun goes down and things get a little spookier, the Creekside Insanitorium will be waiting to frighten visitors.
Halloween is a special time of year for Lisa and Erik Laflamme. Having been married on Oct. 31 with a full-costume Halloween themed wedding, the two celebrate their anniversary yearly by inviting those brave enough to enter their Insanitorium.
Located at the bottom of Creekside Road, the Laflamme’s Insanitorium is entering its third year in Penticton. This year, there will be four differentlythemed and very dark, rooms providing scares, mad scientists, witches and a skeleton who hands out candy.
The event will feature strobe lights and is not recommended for young toddlers, the faint of heart or anyone who suffers from epilepsy or severe asthma.
“It’s a ton of fun and a great way to celebrate our anniversary. We’re both really in to Halloween because it’s the number one holiday of the year for your friends to come on over to your house,” Erik Laflamme said.
Laflamme went on to add that unlike Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving, Halloween is one of the few holidays where you are encouraged to celebrate with your friends.
“This is a friends holiday,” Laflamme said.
Entry to the Insanitorioum is by donation with barrels set up for non-perishable food donations. Donations are suggested and entry is free of charge. Proceeds will go to the Upper Deck Vees, who have announced that they will be passing any funds raised for them along to the Stand on Guard Fund, a trust fund for the son and family of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, the honour guard killed in the shooting in Ottawa on Oct. 22.
