Halloween.
It’s a celebration that seems to have become increasingly popular, spawning a lot of speculation (or is that spook-ulation?) about why the holiday seems to have captured the spirit of people everywhere.
Perhaps it’s the chance to safely enter into a world of supernatural fantasy, or perhaps it’s just the idea of getting free treats from neighbours that drives the holiday.
But whether it’s a love of elaborate yard displays, a secret desire to wear a fantastic costume or just the love of free candy, there’s no denying that the holiday has never been more popular.
In Sooke, the following list of Halloween themed activities leading up to Oct. 31 is a demonstration of the communities embrace of the holiday.
• Starting on Oct. 22, the Sooke library invites children of all ages to create an originally designed mask to take part in the Help Haunt the Library Contest. Winning selections for children, teens and adults will be selected on Oct. 31. Also on Halloween, the library will be hosting a spooky story time with tales and rhymes, crafts and treats. No registration required.
• The Eerie Acres Haunted Graveyard will once again be in operation at 1468 Woodcock Rd in East Sooke. Admission is by donation and the display and guided tours are certain to send thrills up the spine of the hardiest spook hunter. Info at eerieacres@yahoo.com.
• SEAPARC pool will host a Halloween Swim on Oct. 27 between 1 and 2:30 p.m. Staff are reasonably certain that all the swimmers will be normal, mortal and alive.
• A bus ride to the supernatural will take those who are brave enough on a tour of Sooke’s history with a special emphasis on stories of ghosts, massacres, myths and disasters. A head count may be taken at the completion of the tour to ensure that no undead guests have joined with the passengers. The bus ride is on Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and available at the Sooke Region Museum.
• There’s something about Shirley … On Oct. 27, another by-donation event when the second annual Shirley Halloween Sideshow showcases the weird, wonderful and often creepy residents of Shirley and surrounding area.
• Horror on ice. On Oct. 30, SEAPARC will host a Halloween Costume Skate (7 to 8:15p.m). Regular admission rates apply for the ghoulishly fun event.
Finally, two events are slated for the adults.
• On Oct. 27, the Royal Canadian Legion will feature Voyager for a rocking Halloween Ball. Tickets are limited so contact the Legion for more information, and get ready to shake your bones at this spooky event. Remember, Ghouls just want to have fun.
• On Oct. 29, Cold Rush Productions will present the Halloween Howler at the Sooke Community Hall. The night will feature the (mostly) live band, SuperSauce. Go to supersauce.ca/halloween for more information.