A Spooktacular Success!
Last week, New Westminster Family Place celebrated a return to Halloween festivities in a collaborative community-driven Hallowe’en event on the Quayside Boardwalk. After a long hiatus since before the pandemic, we were thrilled to mark our one-year anniversary in this vibrant location with a celebration!
Together we made magic!
This year’s event was a true partnership, bringing together local businesses, organizations, and residents to create a safe and fun experience for families. Our trick-or-treat station offered a delightful assortment of treats won by spinning a wheel of fortune, we handed out tasty spring rolls from Butterica to fuel families, and offered a pumpkin carving contest to encourage creativity among participants of all ages. Children could stop by and make a lantern, decorate a crown, hammer a pumpkin or enjoy a themed sensory bin. Our activities were supported by wonderful volunteers provided by the City of New Westminster.
We were delighted to partner with Key West Ford, who set up their electric vehicle nearby and provided candy and hot chocolate for families, along with fun inflatables. Nearby, the Fraser River Discovery Centre added to the festivities with their engaging “Stur-mergency” scavenger hunt, captivating children with local educational content while handing out sweets. Yoga at the Quay contributed by handing out treats on the Boardwalk and, with a unique twist offered Halloween-themed yoga classes for both adults and children. In collaboration with the Downtown New West BIA, Yoga at the Quay also organized a month-long scavenger hunt featuring local businesses, inviting families to explore and engage with our vibrant community. This blend of activities truly highlighted the community effort behind the event.
This year, we encouraged local residents to join in by coming out of their building lobbies and setting up along the boardwalk to hand out candy. We wanted to create a safe and traffic-free trick-or-treating atmosphere accessible to all the children, many of whom live in highrises. We were supported by the Quayside and Downtown Residents Associations, as well as Tourism New West and the local New Westminster Record newspaper in getting the word out. Thanks to the Downtown BIA, we provided tents on a first-come, first-served basis for those looking to enhance their candy stations, ensuring that everyone felt included in the festivities.
Bringing the Boardwalk to life
The response was overwhelming—an estimated 300-400 trick-or-treaters took part, and the smiles and laughter that filled the air were a testament to the strong sense of community we share. The feedback we received from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their hope that this event will become an annual tradition.
As we look back on the success of Hallowe’en on the Quayside Boardwalk, we are filled with gratitude for the local businesses, organizations, and residents who made this event possible. Your enthusiasm and collaboration transformed the day into a celebration of community spirit and joy. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this memorable occasion!
If you have photos or comments you would like to share with us about the event, please reach out to info@newwestfamilies.ca 🎃👻✨