Healthy Halloween activities

• Leading up to Halloween
  • RCMP and Enforcement Services officers are handing out positive tickets that grant a free one-time admission to County recreation facilities. Emergency Services crews will also join the spooktacular fun on Halloween by visiting communities to hand out treats (as resources allow).
  • Students in Strathcona County will receive a complimentary Healthy Halloween pass for a one-time free admission to County recreation facilities. Grade 2 students will also receive an activity book featuring fun Halloween games and safety tips.

• October 18, 24, 25 and 30
  • Check out Haunted at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre
  • Spaces are limited, so please ensure you book your spot in advance. $24 per person.
  • Recommended age: 12Y+

• Sunday, October 26 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Free Haunted Halloween skate at Ardrossan Recreation Complex (remember to wear your costume!)
    • Free skate from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Halloween activities from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (sponsored by the Ardrossan Recreation & Agricultural Society and the MacMillanTeam)
  • Family Fun: Pumpkin Carve-off at Ardrossan Recreation Complex 
    • This fun afternoon pumpkin carving event will be hosted in the hall from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for families with children of all ages. Note: sign-up is required for the pumpkin carve-off
    • Drop by for music, fun, and connection - plus a chance to show off your creative Halloween costume.
• Monday, October 27 to Friday, November 7
  • Homeschooled students can pick up their Halloween pass from the Recreation administration building (2025 Oak Street, Sherwood Park)
  • Please stop by during office hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31
  • Tiny trick or treaters (under 5 years of age) are welcome to visit our recreation facilities* for their very own "treat admission". Staff will hand out one complimentary Healthy Halloween pass for a one-time admission to County recreation facilities. Please note, children under the age of two always get free access to our facilities.
    • *Participating facilities include Millennium Place, Emerald Hills Leisure Centre, Kinsmen Leisure Centre, Ardrossan Recreation Complex and Glen Allan Recreation Complex
       
• Saturday, November 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Join Emergency Services between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and give your old jack-o-lanterns and pumpkins a good second use! 
  • Drop your pumpkins from the hose tower at Fire Station 6 (915 Bison Way, Sherwood Park) for a donation to help raise money for Muscular Dystrophy.
  • Learn more
    • Please do not drop pumpkins off before the event
    • Pumpkins must be natural and safe for dropping - carving is welcome, but no paint, wax, toothpicks, metal or other added materials.
    • Can't make it but want to donate? Visit the Muscular Dystrophy website.

Inclusive Halloween ideas and posters

Make all the trick-or-treaters in our community feel welcome by displaying an  inclusive halloween poster (88.9 KB) . This shows other ghosts, goblins and spooky skeletons that your home is inclusive, and that you've considered inclusive approaches such as:

• Reduced barriers such as steps, inclines or tight corners
• Nut-free treats or non-food alternatives such as stickers or pencils
• Well-lit driveways and pathways
• Secured pets
• Low-sensory decorations without strobe lights or loud noises

Find more inclusive Halloween tips at https://www.treataccessibly.com/.

Inclusive Halloween lawn signs

• Stop by the RE/MAX Elite office located at #116, 150 Chippewa Road, Sherwood Park to pick up your free accessible Halloween lawn sign. *while supplies last
• For office hours, please contact the RE/MAX Elite team: https://eliterealestate.ca/contact-us/

Halloween safety tips

Transit Safe Bus program is a safe place for the community all year round, but we especially look out for the little ones on Halloween.

County buses are a safe place for anyone to get help on Halloween or any day of the year. Our Transit Operators are an extra set of eyes on the road helping keep the streets safe. If trick-or-treaters run into trouble while out having fun, they can flag down a bus for help. Find out more about Safe Bus at strathcona.ca/ridingtransit.

Children:

• Stay home if you’re feeling unwell.
• Never trick-or-treat alone. Stay with your group.
• Make sure you can be seen. Wear reflective, bright colour costumes, or fasten reflective tape to your costume or bag. Avoid masks that restrict your vision.
• Only visit well-lit houses.
• Don't go into the house for your treats; always wait outside.
• Don't eat any treats until an adult has inspected them.
• Carry a flashlight or glowstick so you can see where you are going.
• Don't criss-cross the street or run out from between parked cars. Always go down one side of the street, cross at the corner, and then go down the other side.
• Watch for cars pulling out of driveways and backing up.
• Don't trample through gardens or bushes. Always use pathways and sidewalks.

Motorists:

• Halloween means there will be children on the streets. Drivers need to use extra caution. With the excitement of Halloween, children may forget simple pedestrian safety rules.
• Drive slowly in residential areas where children are more likely to be trick-or-treating. Reduce your speed and stay alert.
• Slow down and proceed with caution when entering and exiting driveways or backing up.

Homeowners:

• Keep your home and doorway well lit. Clear sidewalks and pathways for safety.
• Make sure your pets are safe and secure indoors for the evening.
• Avoid open flames or decorations that could cause a fire.
• Hand out only wrapped and sealed treats.

Be EEEEEEKo friendly this Halloween

Read about the top 5 eco-friendly tips to add some green to your Halloween!