The Missisquoi North Volunteer Centre (CABMN) in Mansonville Former Youth Involvement (FYI) group along with Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), as well as volunteers and staff, held an outdoor Haunted Circus themed Halloween for youth in Mansonville and surrounding areas to enjoy on Halloween evening. Sponsored by the Mansonville Optimist Club who provided the treats, the event was attended by over 100 youth and brave adults.
Organized by FYI members Julia Eldridge and Rachelle Lachance, who take the lead in preparing and executing the “haunt,” the two decided on a circus theme this year complete with ticket booth, fortune teller, lion, jack in the box, ghouls in the windows and clowns….scary clowns!
Working alongside the Youth Centre staff team of Ethan Ball and Eleanor Cote, volunteers included Brenda Clark (CAB President), Rejean Neron, Shannon Derby, Debra Harding, June Peacock, Brianna Woodard, Kate Eldridge and other behind-the-scenes talent.
“We had to do the candy distribution outside this year due to Covid,” explained Ethan Ball. “This meant that the FYI organizers had to use their imaginations and creativity to make a haunted walk rather than a haunted house and I have to say, they did a great job!”
All who took the walk had to first get their ticket from a fortune teller who was more than happy to predict frozen extremities for all before the cool evening was over. The Jack-in-a-box cranked itself, so visitors had no choice but to prepare themselves for the SURPRISE! As a “blue moon” shone brightly in the night sky, the goblins kept a steady pace through to a little after 8:00 p.m.
Many Potton residents noted well over 100 goblins out for trick-or-treating, with many people going above and beyond to assure that their candy was distributed with caution and creativity from a distance. It seemed to be a welcome distraction for the children, who assured many that they were not going to eat their candy until it had been quarantined or disinfected for a few days.
“We want to thank Daniel Giroux and the Mansonville Optimist Club,” shared Eleanor Cote. “This event at the Youth Centre is done each year free of charge by volunteers and without the Optimist Club’s support in purchasing the treats, the youth centre would have to absorb the expense. We appreciate their collaboration and support.”
For more information or to see more photos of the Haunted Circus at the Youth Centre, visit the Mansonville Youth Centre Facebook page or the CABMN website at www.cabmn.org
“Get your tickets ladies and gentlemen” CABMN Haunted Halloween Circus
By Mable Hastings
