Whistler – In case you haven’t heard, Halloween is kind of a big deal in Whistler.
It’s the shoulder season, so many locals have time to create costumes, decorate their homes and carve pumpkins. It’s a chance to take on an alter ego and let off a little steam while we all wait for the white gold to start falling and the season to start.
Plus, let’s be honest, most Whistlerites love any excuse for a party.
If you’ve yet to make plans for All Hallow’s Eve, don’t despair. There are all kinds of ways to get in on Whistler’s ghoulish celebration and have some frightful fun.
Whether you’ve got kids who are itching to collect as much candy as possible or you just want to check out some spooky decorated homes, the Tapley’s Farm area is Whistler’s Halloween central. The neighbourhood, located behind Nesters and along the west end of Lorimer Road, has been a local hub of trick-or-treating for more than 20 years.
Homeowners go all-out with decorations and jack-o-lanterns and the area is closed to vehicle traffic to give kids a safer Halloween experience.
One of the Tapley’s Halloween organizers, Julie Hamilton, said the area usually draws about 500 children, who usually have parents and dogs in tow. Some residents play loud music, others project Halloween-themed movies on the outside of their houses, and some get together with neighbours to create spooky mazes through connecting backyards, Hamilton said.
“It’s a great three hours of mayhem,” she said.
While some residents have giant spiders that fall down from trees and friends who jump out of the bushes to scare approaching kids, there’s not much of a “scare factor” in the Tapley’s Halloween experience, Hamilton said.
And the party is as much for the adults as the kids — neighbours and friends socialize with each other and drink hot buttered rum and wine while the kids trick-or-treat. It’s a community event where everyone is welcome, Hamilton said.
The night is capped off with a fireworks display, presented by Nesters Market, at the soccer field below Myrtle Philip School.
“It’s a great display,” Hamilton said. “It’s a fantastic addition to the night.”
Tapley’s Halloween runs Friday (Oct. 31) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with the fireworks display at 7:30 p.m. Tapley’s will be closed to traffic starting at 5 p.m., with the “Park and Spook” shuttle running from Marketplace from 5 to 9 p.m.
Hamilton said the Shaw Pumpkin Patrol, with the Shaw Bear, will be stationed at the entrance to Tapley’s and should be used as a safe meeting place if parents and kids get separated. Candy donations for Tapley’s residents are appreciated and can be dropped off at Nesters or 6448 Toad Hollow. Call Hamilton at (604) 902-1860 for more information.
Later in the evening, Whistler Village will be teeming with ghosts, goblins and guys in disturbing Borat costumes when the big kids come out to play. Most Whistler pubs and clubs are hosting special Halloween parties with prizes for the best costumes.
Two of the hottest, and likely sold out, tickets in town are the GLC and Dusty’s in Creekside. This year the GLC is hosting “Ragnarok: The Beginning of the End” with “corruption” (a.k.a. entertainment) by Foxy Goron, Technomorph, Wicked Lester, the Giant Leeches, Bad Brian and Cronos and Vamp Ho. If there are any tickets left they’re $25 and on sale at the Hub and Evolution.
At Tommy Africa’s the Halloween theme is “Vixens and Vampires,” where patrons are encouraged to dress sexy and scary for $500 in cash prizes for the best vixen and vampire costumes. Entry is $10 at the door.
Buffalo Bill’s is featuring the “hallway of horror” and house DJ Peacefrog spinning old and new hits.
Don’t put your costume away too fast: Halloween in Whistler just keeps going with the Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium’s “Day After Halloween Dance Party” on Saturday (Nov. 1) at the Telus Conference Centre. The adults-only costume party includes music by DJ Diamond Doug, carnival games, door prizes, raffle draws and a silent auction.
The event is a fundraiser for local and international Rotary projects such as Bicycles for Humanity and Playground Builders. Tickets are available at Aarm Dental, Mountain Blooms and the Scotiabank in Creekside. Call (604) 932-9598 for more info.
