Plans underway for a little scary ‘Boo’siness

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us and with Hallowe’en fast approaching, the organizer of the annual “Scott Street Scare” is hoping to see lots of kids turn out this year.
“In the first year I started the program, we had around 600 children downtown and the year after that we had 1,500, so this year I am expecting a lot,” said Sandra McNay.
The event–which will run from 5-6:30 p.m. on Hallowe’en night on the 200-400 block of Scott Street–was created by McNay to give children a safe place to trick-or-treat.
“It’s great for kids because it’s safe and in a central location,” she reasoned. “But it’s also good for older people who aren’t sure who is at their front door on Hallowe’en night.”
People who donate their candy to the event can place a poster in their window letting children know they are supporting the “Scare.”
“Elementary kids make up my posters, and then the people go in and pick the poster they want to put in their window,” McNay noted. “Some of the older people will pick their grandchild’s poster and put that one in their window.
“It’s really great.”
McNay also is hoping to have more than two dozen businesses handing out candy to children in front of their stores Hallowe’en night.
“The businesses that have been doing it from the beginning usually do every time,” she said. “But there are a few who don’t want to do it. Many of them close down their business at 5 [p.m.] and they don’t want to have kids walking through their store.
“If I can make one point, it’s to have people buy candy from the local businesses in town and then donate it to the Scott Street Scare,” McNay stressed.
“It would support our local businesses and I think that it’s really important.”
In conjunction with the Scott Street Scare, Kim Miller (Kitowski Trucking) and Kelly Sigurdson (T.J. Kaemingh & Sons Ltd./Esso Petroleum Canada) once again will be organizing a float sponsored by north-end businesses.
Goodie bags will be handed out to the trick-or-treaters, and any candy left over will be donated to McNay’s event.
“I just hope we have enough candy,” McNay said. “Our event can last only as long as there is candy to give out.
“If every household could just donate one bag of candy, I would be laughing,” she added.
Though McNay generally has been pleased with the support she’s garnered for the event, she admitted the town’s lack of financial backing has been very discouraging.
“I have to admit that I am very disappointed with the town,” McNay said. “I put this event on for the town, and then they won’t give any money to help.
“Clubs beg for your support all year and then they won’t help and it’s very disheartening. After all, I am putting this event on for their children, too.”
McNay said she also needs volunteers to help hand out the candy on Hallowe’en night, and is looking to high school students.
“I am hoping high school students will get involved,” she noted. “I hope they will come out and volunteer to hand out candy to the kids, or wear an orange vest to direct kids on Scott Street.”
Those wishing to volunteer their time, or donate candy or money to this year’s Scott Street Scare, can contact McNay at 274-0484.