The event at Blue Quills has been cancelled, as of Oct. 27th, "Due to rising infections in our local area," according to a social media post by the post-secondary institution.
ST. PAUL - A popular annual event is taking its spooky Halloween event outdoors this year, keeping in line with measures in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills, located just west of St. Paul normally hosts a haunted house that ventures through the hallways of the post-secondary school, alongside Halloween activities for kids that takes place in the gymnasium. But this year, UnBQ is having an outdoor, drive-thru event on Oct. 29.
"Keeping in line with COVID measures, people are asked to stay within their vehicles and the vehicles will follow an arranged route to see exciting, scary scenes which have been created and manned by our staff, students and volunteers," says Peggy Shirt, one of the event organizers. "All scenes have their own designated area separate from other groups. We have devised a method to deal the entry fee without direct contact with the guests, and any change dispensed will have been cleaned prior."
The event is held as a fundraiser and food drive for the student food bank at Blue Quills. All donations will be sanitized prior to being put into the food bank, and staff will wear masks and gloves while maintaining appropriate distancing. Being outside also lends itself to being a safer environment, adds Shirt.
"Security will be on-site to ensure that everyone is following appropriate safety measures."
While a different approach has to be taken, organizers felt it was important to continue to offer the event.
"It has become a community event and they expect us to provide them an exciting, entertaining evening for the whole family, especially in this time where so many events have had to be cancelled, and it is one of the ways we can maintain a connection to the community we serve," says Shirt.
Secondly, the event is an important source of fundraising for the food bank, and food and funds collected generally go a long way to filling the shelves at the food bank.
"In this time of hardship hitting so many people, it helps us to continue this important food bank service for our students," says Shirt.
The Drive-thru Halloween will take place from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. on Thursday. The cost to enter is $10 per vehicle plus a food bank item. Treat bags for children will be handed out.
