It was a spooky day downtown this past Saturday in Peterborough as the community came together for “Halloween in the Booro.”

Over 60 local shops and restaurants took part in the October 25th event which ran from 4:00PM to 6:00PM and saw trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and meet and greets with iconic characters.

The free event, organized by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), is celebrating its fourth year in the downtown area, which also included East City as a new addition this year.

For one local trick-or-treater, 6-year-old Jaxon it was a great day to have a Halloween before Halloween. “It’s going to feel so good that I will get so much Kit Kats and Jolly Ranchers,” he said. 

His friend, Desi, 6, the neighbourhood SpongeBob SquarePants, added that he is looking forward to getting some Sour Patch Kids candy.

The night of the 25th saw thousands of kids flood George Street and Water Street dressed in their costumes. 

“It’s been fantastic and I’m hearing people have already run out of candy and that’s great,” said Executive Director of the Peterborough DBIA, Nour Mazloum. “I think this is the biggest turnout we’ve ever had and it’s also the biggest business participation we’ve ever seen.”

Mazloum added that the event is an opportunity to bring the community together and put a spotlight on the local businesses. 

“It brings the people downtown in a way they would not normally come down for and it’s good exposure for the town as well. People are stopping in for Halloween and they get business exposure and get to learn more about their community,” she told Arthur.

The event was attended by many families who dressed up in matching costumes, and even some pets like Pearl the dog, who sported a hotdog costume. 

“I think it just brings memories, like we have the photo booth so families can take photos together and have them printed for their fridge,” added Mazloum. “It’s just something you can do with your family.”

Over at Peterborough Square on the corner of George and Simcoe Street was that photo booth, set up by Seven Events, as well as a Halloween costume competition. The competition ran for multiple categories such as best kid’s, pet’s, and family or group costume.

The event wasn’t only attended by families, but by older kids as well. Iceman Video Games & Comics owner Holly Butler saw kids of diverse age groups enter the store throughout the night. “It’s cute, because earlier in the night is usually when all the little kids are out, then as it gets darker and later, you get some of the older kids. Then by the end of the night you get the teenagers,” she said.

The shop was one of many that benefited from the event. “I love to be a part of stuff like this, so if there is an event going on I like to see how we can participate,” said Butler.

A couple stores over, local candy shop Couture Candy also saw a big turnout. Owner Lisa Couture had 753 kids arrive for the event last year but anticipated more this year. 

“I counted all the candy that we have, and it was 1,165, plus we gave away 40 Halloween Pez to the first 40 kids,” she said. “We’re the candy store, so we always try to give something special to the first few kids.”

Not only did the event bring exposure to her store, but Couture got comments from customers on the surrounding businesses as well. 

“The amount of people who come in here and go, ‘I never knew this existed.’ ‘What is that coffee shop like?’ Or ‘We’ll have to go there for dinner,’” she said, “it’s great for the businesses.”

Other businesses that took part in the event include SOS, Intrigue Books & Things, and Cozy Home: Designs by Lacey.

The event also saw iconic characters roaming the streets snapping photos with local children. The DBIA staff and crew brought some “despicable fun to the festivities,” with Minion Mayhem, where Gru and his minions from the film Despicable Me roamed the streets.

DBIA employees could be found on most corners handing out official trick-or-treating maps of participating businesses, points of interest, as well as accessible entrances to the shops.

For more information on upcoming events by the DBIA visit theboro.ca and follow their social media pages.