November 2, 2016
More than 200 witches, warlocks, zombies and ghouls descended on The Shed at Little Drayton Street in Nanango on Monday night.
The occasion was The Shed’s third annual Halloween family fun night, and organiser Jane Erkens said she was “almost overwhelmed” with the turnout.
“The first year we ran this we had about 25 to 30 kids, and last year that grew to about 65. So when 200 kids and their parents turned up this year, we were just blown away.”
As is now becoming traditional, Jane and a team of helpers turned the building’s front yard into an eerie graveyard, complete with spooky spiderwebs and lurid fluorescent lighting, dancing skeletons and a custom-made coffin.
Strange characters wandered about to keep the children from getting too close, and a soundtrack of shrieks, moans and clanging chains provided just the right atmosphere for a frighteningly good time.
Fortunately – thanks to sponsorships from the Nanango Tourism and Development Association, Mayor Keith Campbell, Cr Roz Frohloff, Aussie Soft Serve and Nanango Real Estate – any children spooked by the graveyard could quickly turn their minds to other, more positive things.
There were free ice-creams to be had, along with free bags of sweets for eager “trick-or-treaters” who happened to drop by with their parents after sunset.
And their nervous parents could calm themselves down with a creamy latte from a mobile coffee van.
Jane said the idea for a Halloween party had come to her several years ago when she visited Canada to see her grandchildren.
“I first got interested in Halloween after going out trick or treating with my grandkids,” Jane said.
“They live in a small rural town and the streets were full of children all chatting and laughing, parents keeping a close watch but meeting and greeting friends and neighbours.”
Jane said she saw the effort the Canadian town’s residents put in to decorate their houses and how they enjoyed the children’s visits, especially older residents who loved chatting to the kids and parents.
“It was a really good way to get people to meet and mix, and also a lot of fun for children too.
“Kids are kids for such a short time, so why not let them get into fancy dress?
“And if their parents are still young at heart, they can get dressed up as well, get out with their kids and meet the neighbours.”
Jane paid special tribute to Fred and Cheryl Schoenwald, Simon Illing, Marie Madigan, Paddy O’Donnell, Ina Patterson and her sister Pam for helping run the evening.
“They all put in a tremendous volunteer effort and I really couldn’t have done this without them,” she said.
Jane intends to run a Halloween Party next year, too, but it will have a new feature.
“The costumes everyone wore this year were just fabulous, so next year we’re going to have a costume parade.
“I think people should be acknowledged for the effort they put into this community event.
“Halloween is fun!”
[Photos: Clive Lowe Photography and Jane Erkens]
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