Not everyone went out trick-or-treating on Halloween.
Over at the Bradford West Gwillimbury Leisure Centre, Bradford Community Church held its first-ever 'Friends and Family Halloween Skate,' on the Blue Rink.
“My husband has wanted to do something different on Halloween,” said Pastor Becky Fitch. So, instead of costumes and door-to-door trick-or-treating, the church advertised a free Halloween skate on Facebook, that would provide a safe, indoor alternative to a traditional Halloween.
Not that the kids had to go without their traditional Halloween treats. Every child under the age of 16 received a bag filled with candy and other goodies, as a gift.
“We made 100 bags, just in case,” Fitch said. The church also brought along some spare skates, for families who didn’t have their own, but were willing to try getting out on the ice.
“It’s just for fun,” said Pastor Shane Fitch. “Something else for you to do and enjoy on Halloween.”
Bradford Community Church reserved the ice for two hours on Thursday evening. It meant that families committed to trick-or-treating could go out “and then come here,” he said. “It’s good - something to do!”
The church also provided door prizes at the event, and welcomed donations of gently used clothing for the Hand-Up Clothing Room.
At least 50 people pre-registered on Facebook for the inaugural event. Asked if the Halloween Skate would become an annual tradition, Pastor Becky would only smile and say, “We’ll try it, and we’ll see!”
