The Invercargill City Council and city centre retailers are gearing up for an afternoon of Trick or Treating fun tomorrow (Saturday 29 October) between 1-4pm.

The family event is to give primary aged children, or younger, the opportunity to dress up for Halloween and enjoy Trick or Treating fun in a safe environment.

Businesses in Esk Street, Kelvin Street, Tay Street, Dee Street, Don Street and Cambridge Place Arcade are participating in the event.

Participating businesses will display event posters in their windows to signal that people are welcome to bring children in-store to receive a treat.  Once a business has run out of treats, staff will remove the sign from their shop window.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver.

In addition to the traditional sweets, some businesses will have non-candy treat options, such as Splash Palace swim passes, friendly brand balloons and coupons.

The Halloween event is the initiative of Council’s City Centre Co-ordinator Kari Graber, herself a parent of two young children.

Miss Graber is delighted at the way retailers have embraced the event. “Some businesses are providing extra candy, others are making their own discount coupons and others are doing special treats and goody bags.  Devil Burger is even offering Trouble Makers burgers, that it will be giving away FREE, to any primary and pre-school age children between 12pm-4pm.”

She  reminded Trick or Treaters to ask in-store for a list of participating businesses, to make sure they don’t miss any.

Participating businesses are:

Tay Street
Pumpkin Patch,  Hannah’s Shoes, Just Incredible, Thai Thai Restaurant, Art Fun, Mac Pac, Zookeepers café, Rugby Sports Shop, Caroline Eve, Ambrosia Designer Flowers,  Wensley’s Cycles, Kiwi Yo, Kaos Hair, Southern Adventure Scout Shop, Cycle Surgery, Young Reflections.

Dee Street
Hells Pizza, Subway, Invercargill Public Library, True Grit, Inside Out Clothing, Guilty by Confection.

Don Street
Devil Burger.

 Kelvin Street
Cereal Store, Julie Bryce, Farrys Fashions, Voyant Clothing, T and T Kids Clothing.

 Esk Street
Hallensteins, Turkish Kebabs, Lustys Showcase Jeweller, Bronze Connection, Max Fashions, Merric, Michael Hill, Skelts Jewellers, Whitcoulls, EB Games, Goody Two Shoes, Glassons, Hello Banana, Fred and Gingers, Jeans West, Modern Mens Barber, Factorie, Quest, Bonsai Sushi, Jay Jays, Allan White Sport, Flight Centre, Pascoes Jewellers, Goods to U, H & J Smith (Tay Street only), Pinch of Spice.

Cambridge Arcade
The Lollie Shop, The Barbers, Mobile Fun, R J Model and Toys.