Halloween in the Booro Is Back, With Candy, Costumes and a Few Bears Roaming Downtown
/By Scott Arnold
More than 70 local businesses are opening their doors to trick-or-treaters on Saturday, October 24th, with a costume contest, a hidden pumpkin hunt and a free outdoor screening of Goosebumps to keep the Halloween fun going.
from left to right: DBIA staff Cassia Piper, Connor English, Nour Mazloum and Amanda Bedford are all set for SAturday’s Halloween in the boro beginning at 4pm in downtown peterborough and east city (photo by scott arnold)
There’s something special about seeing downtown Peterborough filled with little superheroes, witches, ghosts and princesses, trick-or-treat bags in hand, making their way from one local business to the next.
On Saturday, October 24th, that familiar Halloween excitement returns as the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) brings back Halloween in the Booro, inviting families to spend the afternoon exploring downtown and East City, collecting treats and enjoying a little community spirit along the way.
And this year, there might even be a bear or two wandering around.
When PTBOCanada caught up with DBIA Executive Director Nour Mazloum ahead of the event, Mazloum was dressed as Brock the Bear, paying tribute to the real bear that made an unexpected appearance on Brock Street in downtown Peterborough earlier this fall.
“I am dressed as Brock the Bear, the bear that was found in downtown Peterborough a few weeks ago, early in the morning, and thought it would be nice to pay a tribute to Brock, who loved visiting downtown, and so do I,” Mazloum explained.
It was an unexpected costume choice with a distinctly Peterborough connection, and it comes with a little mystery of its own.
Mazloum says the DBIA team will be dressed as a “sleuth of bears” in Brock’s honour. Keep an eye out, because one of the bears might be able to help you win a prize.
But first, there are plenty of Halloween traditions to enjoy.
More than just trick-or-treating, Halloween in the Booro celebrates the local businesses and community connections that make downtown Peterborough a special place to visit. (Photo courtesy of the DBIA)
An Afternoon of Trick-or-Treating Around Downtown
From 4pm to 6pm, more than 70 participating businesses throughout downtown Peterborough and East City will welcome trick-or-treaters with candy, decorated storefronts and Halloween surprises.
Families are encouraged to come dressed in costume and explore the participating businesses at their own pace. There’s no single starting point, so you can begin wherever makes the most sense for your family.
“If you live in East City, we recommend starting in East City, making your way downtown,” says Mazloum. “I think just starting either on George, Water, Charlotte or Hunter and then making your way around. Obviously stop by Sherbrooke Street and then end up at the square.”
The idea is to spread families throughout the participating neighbourhoods rather than have everyone arriving at the same businesses at once.
It also gives families a chance to discover places they might not visit every day, while giving local businesses an opportunity to welcome new faces and show off their Halloween spirit.
For parents, it’s another chance to get those costumes out before Halloween itself, with a family-friendly afternoon of trick-or-treating in a lively downtown setting.
“Every year we’ve hosted the event, we’re always mindful to have it a week before Halloween just so kids can enjoy Halloween twice this year,” says Mazloum.
Families can check out the interactive event map at theboro.ca before heading out. It identifies participating businesses and helps you plan your route.
Halloween in the Booro offers families another chance to dress up, explore the neighbourhood and make memories together before Halloween night. (Photo courtesy of the DBIA)
Find the Hidden Pumpkin
There’s another reason to keep your eyes open while making the rounds.
A special pumpkin will be hidden inside one of the participating businesses, and the first person to find it can take it back to Quaker Square and look for Mazloum or someone dressed as a bear to claim a prize.
The prize is expected to be a YETI water bottle, making the hunt a fun extra for families exploring the route.
And if you happen to spot a group of bears around downtown, you’ll know why.
Costumes, candy and plenty of smiles are all part of Halloween in the Booro, a community tradition that brings a little extra Halloween magic to downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of the DBIA)
The Fun Continues at Quaker Square
Once the trick-or-treating wraps up at 6pm, families can make their way to Quaker Square for more Halloween activities before settling in for a movie.
The Family Fun Zone will feature a Halloween-themed photo opportunity and costume contests for kids, adults and pets. There will also be vendors, DJs and a reading hosted by the library.
Then, at 6:30pm, the evening continues with a free outdoor screening of Goosebumps, sponsored by Curate & Co., a new addition to Peterborough’s downtown business community.
Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to get comfortable for the movie. Free parking is available at the adjacent King Street Parkade, although the outdoor screening will be cancelled if it rains.
For Mazloum, adding a movie gives families another reason to stick around and make an evening of it, rather than heading home as soon as their trick-or-treat bags are full.
It’s also part of what makes Halloween in the Booro more than just a chance to collect candy.
Halloween in the Booro brings families together to enjoy trick-or-treating, costumes and Halloween fun while exploring downtown Peterborough and East City. (Photo courtesy of the DBIA)
