Scary creatures may be lurking ahead of Halloween for the first-ever "Cana-Scare-A-Park" event.
The City of Sarnia and Seaway Kiwanis Club have partnered to host a free Halloween event at Canatara Park on October 29, from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.
City Community Services Coordinator Rachel Veilleux said the idea to host a free Halloween event was made in 2020, after successful Easter and Christmas events were held at the park in 2019. But the pandemic hindered plans.
"The idea of a holiday event for Halloween came about for a couple of different reasons. First and foremost, it seemed to be a logical expansion to our holiday events and second of course, there have not been any -- or at least very few consistent Halloween events for the community that we've seen," said Veilleux. "Third, there was a mutual great love for Halloween among the organizing team."
Attendees can take a self-guided tour through the park to haunted areas with different levels of scariness for different age groups.
"We really wanted the experience to feel like an outdoor haunted walk and so what we've done is we've ranked the scare level of each haunted house and area on a scale of pumpkins," Veilleux said. "One pumpkin being the least frightening and four pumpkins being the most."
The scariest area, intended for older age groups, will be at the Kiwanis Pavilion at the "maze of horrors."
Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes and bring trick-or-treat bags. Candy will be handed out at each haunted house while supplies last.
In total, the event will include three haunted houses and four haunted areas, as well as the Painted Cat Pop-Up Creature Laboratory, and rides on the children's train.
A pumpkin carving display will also be set up at "Pumpkin Alley" where residents can participate in a carving contest. Community members can sign up for the contest online until 4 p.m. Thursday, October 27.
"Once you've carved your own pumpkin at home, the pumpkin can be dropped off at the Ted Leaver building in Canatara Park by the Animal Farm between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 28, or between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, October 29. Candy prizes will be awarded for people's choice, silliest carving, and most creative carving in three different age categories."
The age categories for the contest are five to 12, 13 to 18, and 19 and up.
On October 29, Cathcart Boulevard will be closed west of Lake Chipican Drive from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.