Picking up treats in Te Puke
The trick will be picking up treats at next week’s Halloween event in Te Puke.
Building on the success of a similar event last year, Epic Te Puke has tweaked its EastPack Treat Trail that will this year take place on Halloween — October 31.
With 33 businesses on the trail, the 2018 version promises to be bigger than last year’s inaugural event.
Trail maps can be picked up from any of the businesses involved as well as at Te Puke Library. They will also be posted on Facebook.
Special guests will be Batman with his Batmobile, and Wonder Woman.
Dressing up will be part of the fun — and a way to win prizes.
“We have a theme of super heroes and super villains, but people don’t have to stick to that,” says EPIC Te Puke’s marketing manager Rebecca Larsen.
The official start time is 3.30pm and Te Puke Library and Aberdeen House Christmas Shed will have “walk-throughs”.
“People can go around in any order they like — they don’t have to follow the numbers or can they just do a section if they’ve got smaller kids.
“Not everyone will want to do the whole trail because it’s quite long.”
A major change from last year is the 5pm prizegiving at Jubilee Park.
There will be best costume prizes for various age categories as well as the best family and best dog.
The Hits radio host Will Johnstone will be spinning the winning wheel with EPIC Te Puke dollars — including the new EPIC $5 — up for grabs.
“New World is sponsoring chocolate bars and Farmlands is sponsoring the lollies for the wheel,” says Rebecca.
Retailers can get in on the winning with Creative Te Puke representatives judging the best decorated business contest.
“We’ve upped it a little to the next level. There are more businesses on the trail from last year, so it has really taken off as a concept,” says Rebecca.
Jellicoe St will be open to traffic, but the flow of pedestrians will be managed to minimise disruption to traffic — although it might be wise to avoid the area in a car during the event if possible.