Who were all those costumed characters descending on the streets of Wilno, Barry’s Bay and Combermere on Hallowe’en Day?
The Madawaska Valley Public Library organized a children’s Hallowe’en Hunt with the help of thirty local businesses in the Township of Madawaska Valley. Above: the Gow and Recoskie children plus family dog pose with the Stationkeepers’ Pumpkin Train
The participating businesses were enthusiastic about providing space for spooky stories and graphics on their windows so that our young costumed characters could find the answers to their Hallowe’en Hunt questions by just window shopping. The event was organized as a family friendly and COVID safe way to celebrate Hallowe’en and drew one hundred and forty four families on such a beautiful fall day.
Above at left: Martin and Amanda Brochu with Dragon (Caroline), Fireman (James), Batman (Willow the dog); centre: Dale and SuperHero (Grason) Rutledge with Hulk Hogan (Liam Sernoskie-Coulas) and mom Laurie Sernoskie; left: Talk O’the Town Scarecrow family
Local retailers contributed to the treat bags children received and to the many prizes that were drawn for. Because businesses in Barry’s Bay participating in the event stretched from Charlie D’s to the Barry’s Bay Dental Clinic, the Library set up an additional check-in station at the Credit Union parking lot.
With help from student volunteers Julia Sadecki, Olivia Briggs, Ava Beggs, Stephanie Ashford, Adalia De Groot, Madeleine Nicholson and all the work student employee Julia Beggs put into the Hallowe’en Hunt it was a very successful day.
Above from left: Julia Beggs, Adalia de Groot, Stephanie Ashford, Madeleine Nicholson
The Library is grateful for help from the participating businesses listed below as many of them not only displayed our creepy cutouts in their windows, but also donated towards the contents of the age-themed prize bags handed out.
- A.V. Locksmithing
- Afelskie Shoes
- Andrea’s Pet Salon
- Bank of Montreal
- Barry’s Bay Dairy
- Barry’s Bay Dental Hygiene Clinic
- Barry’s Bay Metro
- Bay Coin Laundromat
- Charlie D’s
- Church Street Flowers
- Easton Accounting
- Gift It Gray
- Grumblin Granny’s
- Lorraine’s Pharmasave
- MAD Outdoors
- Natural Health Centre
- Northern Credit Union
- Ottawa Valley Physiotherapy
- Queenswood Realty
- Richard Robyn Associates
- Talk O’the Town
- The Beer Store
- The Valley Gazette
- Tim Hortons
- Tyerman & Daughters
- V&S Stedmans
- CO Country Market
- Heartwood Restaurant
- The Old School Cafe Laundry & Greenhouses
- Wilno Craft Gallery
Laura Ostapowicz with her treat bag containing play-doh, crayons, book and more