Halloween is often an exciting time for kids, but for some children it can be downright frightening due to an inability to fully take part, and Five Counties is looking to change this with its second “All-o-ween” event.
All year-round, the Five Counties Children’s Centre helps thousands of kids, youth and families across the Northumberland, Kawartha, Peterborough and Haliburton areas through services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and additional treatment supports.
And staff plan to continue to help local kids smile with the return of “All-o-ween,” and ensure all kids can take part in Halloween-inspired festivities, explains Bill Eekhof, Five Counties’ communications co-ordinator.
Eekhof tells us what the event is all about.
The Five Counties’ “All-o-ween” events are set for 4 to 7 p.m. at each of its main sites – in Peterborough on Oct. 28 at 972 Dutton Rd., in Cobourg on Oct. 29 at 800 Division St., and on Oct. 30 at 9 Russell St. E. in Lindsay.
And while the event is being put on for Five Counties kids, their siblings are also welcome on the big night, note organizers.
To attend, families need to pre-register online and book a spot via the Five Counties website or by calling 1-888-779-9916 ext. 215. While Peterborough spots are already filled up, there’s still space in Cobourg and Lindsay.
Eekhof tells us how the event initially got its start in 2024.
“We had this really adorable little girl who came to our event in Cobourg last year, and she enjoyed it so much, she also came to our event in Peterborough,” recalls Eekhof.
In other words, this meant this little girl – who wouldn’t otherwise have gone out for Halloween – was able to enjoy an accessible and sensory-friendly trick-or-treating experience thanks to Five Counties.
And it wasn’t just this one family – Eekhof recalls hearing from a number of families.
“We really hope to make this an annual tradition based on our initial feedback,” says Eekhof.
Meanwhile, for year two, numbers are already expected to grow, with 200 or so kids already signed up in Peterborough alone.
“We’re all in for ‘All-o-ween’ to make the scariest night of the year an enjoyable evening for kids of all ages and abilities,” adds Hayley Hodges, client and family experience lead at Five Counties, who also hopes the organization can build on the last year’s momentum and make 2025 an even better night for participants.
In addition to the trick-or-treating experience, there will also be food, kids’ crafts, storytelling, and more. Kids can come in costumes or simply orange and black or just as they are, note organizers.
“All-o-ween” fits nicely into the work already being done by Five Counties’ staff to support kids and youth with physical, development and communication needs, adds Hodges.
“As a kid, Halloween is one of the best days of the year – so giving every child the opportunity to take part in an event like ‘All-o-ween’ means fun for everyone.”
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)