Halloween season is upon us and the Town of Newmarket is inviting residents to show off their best pumpkin-carving tricks and enjoy some treats.
The town is hosting a free kids trick-or-treat trail Saturday, Oct. 28 from 11 to 2 p.m., featuring a family-friendly walk along the Dave Kerwin Trail at Environmental Park.
“With spooky decorations, animatronics and actors in costume, children under the age of 10 and their families are invited to come dressed up in their Halloween costumes and get a head start on trick-or-treating,” the town said of its Halloween trail event.
Registration is not required, with the experience being first-come, first-serve. The town is also inviting guests to donate a non-perishable food item to the Newmarket Food Pantry, with collection booths at the trail.
Then on Nov. 1, a number of downtown businesses are hosting trick-or-treating on Main Street, Timothy Street and Botsford Street before the town's annual pumpkin parade, when enthusiasts can show off their creative jack-o-lanterns at Riverwalk Commons.
Participants are invited to wear their costumes and get some candy at locations with Halloween posters from 4 to 6 p.m.
The pumpkin parade is at Riverwalk Commons from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with drop-off between 3 and 6 p.m. Pumpkins may be carved or painted, with the public getting the chance to vote for their favourites in four categories: Jack-of-all-Lanterns, cutest pumpkin, scariest pumpkin and most creative. Winners will receive a $100 gift card to a local restaurant of choice, with all pumpkins going to yard waste after the event ends.
These are just some of the Halloween-related events in Newmarket over the next couple of weeks. The town will also have a murder-mystery-themed dinner at the Old Town Hall Oct. 27, ghost-themed tours every Wednesday this month and the haunted Halloween trail event Oct. 27 and 28.
