Halloween on 17th Avenue is back this weekend with two days of free programming, including new interactive carnival games and a dance party.
The event starts Friday in Tompkins Park with the Monster’s Ball, running from 8 to 11 p.m., and continues on Saturday with Carnival Classics from 3 to 7 p.m.
In partnership with B!G ART and Le Cirque de la Nuit, the Friday night dance party will include a live DJ, roaming performers, aerialists, illusions and other special acts.
Saturday’s Carnival Classics will begin with trick-or-treating from 3 to 5 p.m. followed by a variety of free carnival games, roaming performers, magic shows and music from local DJs.
Tulene Steiestol, executive director of the 17th Avenue Business Improvement Association, says the event is intended to give Calgarians a Halloween celebration without the price tag.
“It’s an opportunity to give the community something free and fun and accessible that everyone can enjoy,” says Steiestol.
The event also allows local businesses to participate and connect with the community. This year, 50 businesses will participate in the trick-or-treating portion of Saturday’s event, letting families collect candy while also discovering businesses along the avenue.
“The hope is that people come in with their kids for the free candy, learn what that business is, and hopefully come back and patronize in the future,” says Steiestol.
Armaan Hassam, the manager of Spexville, a locally owned eyewear store at 628b 17 Ave. S.W., says the business looks forward to participating in the annual event.
“We make sure to bring the atmosphere, decorate the store and get extra candy,” says Hassam.
Hassam says their participation in the carnival has also helped Spexville attract new customers, including people who may not have otherwise visited the store.
“We definitely get a new set of customers who tend to come just from this.”
Beyond supporting local businesses, the event also gives the wider community a chance to come together and enjoy Halloween festivities.
Steiestol says they encourage all attendees to wear costumes and take advantage of the free activities throughout the weekend.
“Absolutely everyone in the community is welcome.”