Halloween fun enjoyed at Annandale National Historic Site

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Halloween witches were brewing up fun at Annandale National Historic Site in Tillsonburg last weekend.

Witch’s brew was one of several COVID-safe games played during the four- to seven-year-old party in the morning and eight- to 12-year-old afternoon bash.

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“It was nice to be able to bring a little Halloween fun to the museum,” said Patricia Phelps, the manager of culture and heritage and the museum’s curator.

Among the activities were painting pumpkins and making mummy mason jars, covering them with tissue paper before wrapping with string and adding googly eyes and a candle.

In past years, the Halloween party at Annandale would have welcomed at least 35 to 40 children, Phelps noted.

A group of eight younger children – between four and seven – enjoyed a morning Halloween party with COVID-safe games, including bingo and witch’s brew and painting pumpkins.

“Due to COVID, we could only take a maximum of eight,” said Phelps, “so that’s different but it’s still a lot of fun.”

Kathleen Watkin, the museum’s program co-ordinator, added there was a lot of interest from families for the handful of spots.

“We were hoping to hold it outside, but unfortunately with the bad weather and it being really cold, we had it inside.”

All but one of the children in the afternoon group wore a costume – and he was still wearing Halloween orange-and-black.

“I’m a creepy clown,” said Sophia Vandenbrock.

Other costumes included Snow White and a witch.

“I’m a ringmaster – an evil ringmaster,” said Charlotte Speirs.

Watkin said they encouraged kids to come dressed in their costumes, but it wasn’t required.

At the end of the both parties, each child received goodie bags and brought their decorated pumpkins home.

“The parents were happy to see it. The one mother said in the past they’ve gone to different places, and this year there’s nothing for Halloween. And they’re not sure if they’re going to trick or treat.”

cabbott@postmedia.com