Ahh, my favorite holiday approaches, and with it the time to scare the bejeezus out of the kinder crowd - Halloween! Yeah, so I've been planning for Halloween since, uh, last Halloween, but it's official once the volunteer forms for Fort Edmonton Park's Spooktacular arrive. And they have!
If you are not familiar with the event, or Fort Edmonton Park itself, it is a fun-for-the-whole-family event. Younger kids, or those who scare easily, can head to the Blatchford Hangar which is transformed into a lovely medieval fair with crafts, games, treats, fortune tellers and more.
A little further into the park the grand 1905 street offers Tricks and Treats. Many of the period buildings are transformed inside to treat stops, slightly scary (and sometimes goofy!) scenes complete with actors who carry them out. Some of the scenes might be a little scarier, though nothing too much for the average child or pre-teen. In addition, you can even hear ghost stories and have a little rest while you eat your candy.
Then comes my favourite part - the rustic 1885 Street is transformed into your worst nightmare. Usually the whole street has a theme and as you go further down it the macabre story emerges. This is a place that is not recommended to pre-teens or younger (unless they are already used to playing violent video games) or for those with weak hearts - though I am surprised to see how many parents bring their little children down to this area of the park.
There are frights a-plenty down here. Some are more of the eerie kind with various lost souls, or even ZOMBIES, wandering the streets and following you down the boardwalk. Others are of the shock variety and get your adrenalin pumping.
It's a great time and I encourage everyone to attend. Or better yet, if you are into this sort of thing, volunteer!
Yes, there's my shameless plug. I love volunteering at this event. Many years ago we went to it - when my son was little - and I got such enjoyment out of it that I decided to become a volunteer myself. And this year is my 10th or 11th? So it has to be fun for me to keep coming back year after year. And last year was my son's first time at being on the scar-er side of the velvet rope (well, considering the park's history, more like a sisal rope...)
I honestly enjoy being one of the actors who get to pull people into a story, to build them up or calm them down, dragging them along on the emotional rollercoaster ride. The interacting with the variety of people, young and old, mature, and not, playing of their various fears, humors, feelings and emotional states is a rush for me. And I hope that I entertain them, whether it with a corny joke or good scare, or sometimes both at the same time.
The actors aren't the only volunteers needed though. If you prefer to take tickets, hand out candy, provide information/directions onsite, have special F/X knowledge, want to provide site support or logistics, or just dress in a black robe and freak people out without saying a word (Jeff buddy! Are you coming back for this?) your services would benefit EVERYONE. So if you know anyone who might fit into any of these categories, have them keep stay tuned to this site and I'll keep feeding you details - both of the upcoming event and some past experiences that I have had there.
If you've volunteered before, and haven't received your Volunteer Application in the mail yet (I got mine on Thursday), it's on the way. If you haven't volunteered before, keep your eyes and ears peeled and I'll let you know when the orientation session is. There you will be able to hear details about what it's all about and sign a volunteer form. Alternately, you can email me at peanutgnome@shaw.ca and I'll send you a copy via email.
Please note: I'm not part of the volunteer committee, nor a City of Edmonton employee - I'm just a Halloweenie that wants to see people have fun, whether as a volunteer or as a visitor to the event.
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