Enjoy a safe, fun and healthy Halloween

Strathcona County is supporting a safe and healthy Halloween for all trick or treaters this year, through free recreation passes to local youth and Halloween events with a focus on creating an accessible Halloween for everyone. If you are out on Halloween and things get a bit too scary, our buses are a safe place to board for help.

Healthy Halloween activities

• Saturday, October 28
  • Halloween treats and photo opportunity with RCMP, Enforcement Services, Victim Services and Emergency Services at Fire Station 6 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
    • Wear your costume
    • Free swag bags for the first 300 attendees
    • 915 Bison Way, Sherwood Park
• Sunday, October 29
  • Free Halloween skate (remember to wear your costume!)
    • Ardrossan Recreation Complex skate from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
    • Ardrossan Recreation Complex Halloween activities from 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (sponsored by the Ardrossan Recreation & Agricultural Society and the MacMillanTeam)
• 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. Elementary students will also receive a colouring book featuring fun Halloween activities and tips for a safe Halloween.
  • Students who are homeschooled can pick up their Halloween pass from the recreation administration building (2025 Oak Street, Sherwood Park) between October 25-27, from 8:20 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Monday, 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 4:
  • 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 for a donation to help raise money for Muscular Dystrophy.
  • Learn more
    • Please do not drop pumpkins off before the event

Inclusive Halloween and posters for your home

Make sure 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:

• Nut-free treats
• Well-lit driveways and pathways
• Secured pets
• Low-sensory decorations without strobe lights or loud noises

Halloween safety tips

Children:

• Stay home if you’re feeling unwell.
• Choose costumes that allow a non-medical mask to be worn to cover your nose and mouth.
• 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 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.
• Do not participate in Halloween if you or anyone in your household is feeling sick or has a recent COVID-19 positive result.

Be EEEEEEKo friendly this Halloween.

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