Downtown Tillsonburg is getting into the Halloween spirit this week, with an evening of late-night shopping, costumes, a murder mystery and a chance to win some local gift cards.
The Downtown Tillsonburg BIA is hosting its third annual Witches Night Out on Thursday, October 29, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Participating businesses will stay open late, offering special promotions, treats, games and Halloween displays. Shoppers are encouraged to dress as witches, warlocks or whatever other Halloween characters they fancy.
Vanessa Fortner, Events and Marketing Coordinator with the Downtown Tillsonburg BIA, says the event is designed to bring back a familiar feeling.
The festivities extend to the Tillsonburg Station Arts Centre, which is partnering with the BIA to host the Moon Market on the same evening.
Station Arts Centre Executive Director Tabitha Verbuyst says taking part in community events is one way the gallery hopes to introduce people to different creative experiences.
There's also something new for visitors to Witches Night Out this year. Participating downtown businesses are getting involved in an activity that takes shoppers beyond simply browsing the stores.
Fortner explains how it works.
The Halloween celebrations continue Friday, October 30, with the final night of The Haunt. The attraction is designed to deliver some genuine scares, with Fortner suggesting it's generally best suited to children eight and older, depending on their comfort level. Parents are encouraged to use their discretion.
Beyond the costumes, shopping and scares, Fortner hopes the downtown celebrations become a Halloween tradition that people remember fondly.
Witches Night Out and the Moon Market take place Thursday, October 29, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with The Haunt wrapping up its run on Friday, October 30.
