Wednesday 22 October 2014
Media release – for immediate use

Spooky fun back for Halloween
Mainstreet Wanganui Family fright night returns

Preparations are once again underway for Mainstreet’s annual Halloween celebration. Last year the event was a hit with young and old when organisers took over the Wakefield Chambers building on Ridgway Street and turned it into a Haunted house for the evening. This year Mainstreet and the Whanganui Regional Museum have teamed up to introduce a new feature to the event. “We want to keep the event fresh,” says Mainstreet Wanganui Marketing Manager Elise Goodge, “we don’t want to just deliver the same thing each year.” Based on the American tradition of ‘haunted hay rides’ Mainstreet has come up with the idea of creating a haunted ride around Queens Park. “We don’t have a hay field in the middle of the CBD”, Elise continues, “So we have decided to use Queens Park and bring the history of the area to life in a spooky and fun way.” The ride will begin at the Museum’s Davis Lecture Theatre from 5pm. A gold coin donation would be appreciated.

Twenty five retailers have joined in this year and will be Trick or Treat venues on the night the largest number that have ever participated. Look out for their Trick or Treat posters in the window. Trick or Treating will begin at 3pm for under 5’s only and 3.30pm for all ages. There will once again be free bouncy castles and face painting at Majestic Square to round off the fun.

“More and more retailers are starting to see the fun side of this event now and it is so lovely to have them on board helping to keep our community safe and providing a really fun evening for Whanganui families,” Elise concludes. For a full list of trick or treat venues visit mainstreetwanganui.co.nz.

Mainstreet Halloween
When: Friday 31 October, 3pm–7pm
Tots Trick or Treating (under 5) 3pm–3.30pm
Trick or Treating (all ages) 3.30pm–5pm
Haunted Museum and Haunted Ride around Queens Park 5pm-7pm
Where: Wanganui CBD

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