Where to go for spooky fun in East London this Halloween
Halloween is a popular festival in many countries all over the world and here in South Africa, it appears to be growing with more and more people getting involved and organising various activities for their children. We may not go all out like the Americans and decorate our houses inside and out but we have certainly been known to do the whole pumpkin thing and create some interesting Jack-o-Lanterns. Incidentally, the hollowed-out pumpkin tradition was apparently originally a hollowed-out turnip…
So where exactly did the tradition of asking strangers for candy while dressed up in scary costumes come from? Perhaps a little sinister but basically, poor people visited houses asking for food and in exchange promised to say prayers for the deceased. This tradition is of course no more but has evolved into something much more fun called ‘Trick or Treat’, whereby children dress up and go around the neighbourhood asking for sweets. Needless to say, most people are well-prepared for the knocks on the door during Halloween and happily give treats rather than being on the receiving end of something possibly rather yucky in the way of a ‘trick’.
It has now become common practice for children, with the assistance of the creative parents, to create the scariest costume possible and join in various activities going on around the country, with the hope that they might win a prize for the best, scariest and most creative outfit. And of course, the main attraction of it all is the sweet treats. And then some more sweets. And a few more. Yes, sugar rushes galore at this time of year. Time to scrape your sugar-high children off the ceiling once you get home! And major tip for parents looking for that perfect outfit for their kids: don’t leave it till the last minute, shops sell out of their Halloween goodies long before the occasion.
What we love about Halloween is the fun side of it all, the opportunity to get dressed up, go out and get up to some ghoulish mischief! It has become an innocent practice that children get incredibly excited about, and indeed, plenty of adults too!
Which leads to the question, what is happening in our lovely city this Halloween and where can you go to have some spooktacular fun?? Plenty, is the answer and let us guide you to where it’s all happening… for adults and kids alike!
First up and starting the weekend’s activities on Friday, 30th October is an event you won’t want to miss. Slater’s Toy Magic in Berea will be the venue and a whole lot of fun is going to be awaiting you there. The festivities begin at 4pm with face painting, jumping castles, food stalls and more and then at 6.30pm you get to choose from three different trail options: a 1km Trick or Treat Walk around the neighbourhood, a 3km Halloweenie Dash or a 5km Scary Trail. Flashlights and/or headlamps are a must for spotting those spooks and of course, creative costumes are encouraged, especially since there will also be a Halloween parade where the best/scariest dressed will be chosen! Please note that this event is a fundraiser for Dale Eldridge, the young man on a long road to recovery after an accident left him with a Brain Trauma Injury. So, even more reason to get involved and know that your money is going towards Dale’s rehabilitation. An extremely worthy cause if ever there was one. For further details on the event and entry fees, please click here.
On Saturday the fun continues with a Halloween Party in Gonubie! Everybody is to meet at the Mussel Cracker (at the far end of the Boardwalk) at 6pm and from there embark on a spooky trail around the neighbourhood. Fun and games are planned for along the way and you must take a large packet of sweets with you plus a treat bag for your collections! And of course, don’t forget to dress up in your most goulish costumes. Check out the event listing to find out more and entry fees involved.
There’s fun to be had and up to R2,500 in prizes to be won at Hemingways on Saturday! Who wouldn’t want to enter this fabulous competition?? All you have to do is get dressed up in your absolute best Halloween costume and have your photograph taken opposite the AlgoaFM studio! The competition is open to all ages and you can have your photo done between 11am and 5pm with winners then drawn at 5.30pm. Exciting stuff!! Then how about a spooky sleepover at Hemingways Hotel that night? The whole family can enjoy something very different with a trick or treat door-to-door experience inside the hotel…sounds so awesome! Hemingways Hotel is running a special for that night only so for further information on prices and more details on the competition too, please visit the event listing.
Proving that Halloween isn’t just for the kids, Raggie’s Live Bar is hosting a spooktacular event on Saturday evening too with an awesome DJ line-up and mad potion specials including treats such as Bubblegum Vodka flavoured spiders blood and Jagermeister infused Zombie brain fluid!! Make sure you dress up for this occasion as it will grant you free entry for the night, otherwise civilians will have to pay a costume tax… “scary brews and human stews” up for grabs too, so what are you waiting for??
And last but definitely by no means least and continuing the Halloween fun into the following week, there will be a Spook Party held at the East London Grand Prix Circuit Club House on 7th November. This is going to be an awesome family fun night out with finger snacks (just make sure they aren’t real fingers before you take a bite!!) and once again, make sure you get dressed up in your scariest costumes because you could be a winner that night too! Click here for more info on this event.
As always, East London is buzzing with awesome activities to get involved in and with only a week to go, we suggest that you get started on those prize-winning costumes and get experimenting with the face paints now! And don’t forget to take lots of photographs and then send us your favourites so we can publish the best ones! Have fun this Halloween everybody and keep your eyes wide open just in case something spooky is lurking around the corner….!