Trunk or Treat scares up fun at Cedar Bay
Mike Lawrence - Staff Writer
Something spooktacular and new happened at Cedar Bay on October 24 to celebrate Halloween.
In lieu of previous years which saw several community groups hosting the Boo at The Bay haunted trail event, things had to be run a little differently this year due to the state of the Cedar Bay trails after this year’s damaging windstorm.
Dorothy Broderick, co-fundraising coordinator, had this to say about changing things up this year, “We knew there was too much brush along the sides of paths to be able to haunt the trail, and I couldn’t find another loop trail that ended back at a decent parking area, so we came up with this plan instead.”
This year’s event was organized by The Cedar Bay Stables, Friends of Cedar Bay, The Cedar Bay Lakeshore Committee, and the Sioux Lookout Girl Guides, along with community volunteers.
Sioux Lookout Public Works lent some supplies for the set up. Sponsors and donors were Fresh Market Foods and Morgan Fuels.
With organization “trunks” placed around the perimeter of the Cedar Bay parking lot, the public was then able to drive through the lot, stopping at each trunk for goodies.
Twelve community businesses and organizations provided trunks, including Drayton Cash and Carry, Sioux Lookout Fire Department, KDSB Ambulance, Sioux Lookout Girl Guides, Camp of the Woods, Keewatin Aski Ltd, Gillon’s Insurance, Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre, Rock Front Family Farm, KDSB, Nishnawbe Gamik Friendship Centre and Community Living Dryden-Sioux Lookout.
One of the evening’s trunks was set up by Camp of the Woods. Adam Kane, Program Director of Camp of the Woods explained why they wanted to participate, stating, “We got to do camp this summer, and we got to see some of the kids that will be coming through here, and even in the summer, they were in need of some fun and community. When we saw this advertised, we thought (it was) a great chance for us to get back out there and give the kids something fun, to be an encouragement. We just know that that’s what they need, they just need a little fun right now.”
Jackie Bernier of Rock Front Family Farm was another trunk participant handing out treats. As she explained, “We wanted to be a part of a community event. We support Friends of Cedar Bay and always have, and we just wanted to put our business out there to gain a sense of community, and have some good Halloween festivities.”
The traffic through the event was steady from the start, and by all accounts, families seemed to really appreciate the experience. Maria Kirton had this to say as they left the event, “We thought it was well put together…we loved it. It was wonderful, a great idea.”
Another participant of the drive-thru event was Rikki Burke. As they were leaving the Cedar Bay parking lot, Burke explained, “That was amazing. Everybody was so chipper and excited, and in the Halloween spirit. And it was such a nice day, so it was perfect…I’d like to be involved next year!”
Broderick had this to say about the public participation once the event wrapped up. “We had over 250 treaters plus their chauffeurs go through. So thankful to all our trunks for their work, creativity and fun. A special thank you to the Sioux Lookout Girl Guides for helping take care of our trunk operators and to our Cedar Bay hosts, cooks, and fire makers. We are already thinking of ways we can make next year even better!”