Halloween may still be more than a month away, but Calaway Park is already embracing the spookiest time of the year. The family outdoor amusement park in Springbank is celebrating its annual Halloweekends from Sept. 8 to Oct. 8. Patrons are encouraged to come to Calaway Park dressed up in costumes and explore “Hallo-street.” Calaway Park General Manager Bob Williams said the park has been hosting the annual Halloweekends celebration for more than a decade, and it has become one of the park’s most popular times of the year. “It is family-focused and we encourage people to dress up as their favourite character,” he said. “You would not believe how many guests dress up. This thing has caught on and we have guests every weekend – children and adults – all dressed up in Halloween costumes.” To prepare for the annual celebration, staff members transform a portion of the south side of Calaway Park into Hallo-street, complete with Halloween decorations, a walk-through haunted hotel, interactive photo booths and other features. “They put their creative touch to this, and their energy and spirit,” Williams said. “It really is a game-changer and is unique to the fall.” According to Williams, more than 50 staff members worked over two days to prepare Hallo-street for guests. “The whole street has been converted,” he said. “We have the Witches’ Academy, we have face-painting. The list just goes on and on, and it’s all Halloween-focused.” Williams said two Calaway Park staff members will be on hand, in character as Billy and Roxy, to help guide guests through the various features. He said his favourite part of Halloweekends is seeing the spirit and energy that comes when guests see the park in a new light. “A lot of people are just amazed at the displays,” he said. “The whole thing comes alive – it’s like a new season for us. The permanent team, the managers all dress up. We all get into it and it’s just a ton of fun.” While the annual Halloween celebration caters mainly to kids, Williams said, one new addition will be of particular interest to parents. This year, he said, the park will hold a draw for a seven-night trip for two to Cancun, Mexico, courtesy of Air Canada Vacations and Palace Resorts. Applicants aged 18 and older can submit their ballots at Calaway Park, with the draw set to take place Oct. 9. “The families are going to bring everybody out, but eventually, mom and dad, or the parents of today, might need to take a break,” he said. “I’m sure we’re going to have a lot of entries for that.” Halloweekends run Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays until Oct. 8, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
