Treat trail in Te Puke

Games master Kelvin O'Hara, Logan Anger (5) and Torsen Anger (3), are ready for Te Puke's Treat trail on October 31. Photo/Stuart Whitaker

Ghosts and ghouls, lanterns and lollies - all part of Halloween - and all part of Te Puke's first Treat Trail.

Along the trail that starts at Conway and Carpenter Electrical and winds through town via Jocelyn Street of Lava, the Heritage Walkway of Games, Palmer-Pumpkin Place, Oxford St over the Shark Highway and Jellicoe Sticky Street, there will be games, food, treats and face painting.

There are 28 businesses who are all on the trail.

"I've experienced Halloween first-hand in North America as a really fun experience," says Te Puke Events and Promotions Group marketing manager Rebecca Larsen.

"It's particularly fun for children and the whole fact that they get to dress up in costume and get to meet their community is really appealing to me."

Deciding to take things a bit further, she hit on the idea of including businesses and creating a walk around the business district.

" Ithought it would make it even more special than trick or treating in your street by adding entertainment, games and street food and bringing in super heroes so it became a little bit more like a festival.

She says the trail might be a little long for young children and suggests bringing a push chair for them. But there will be rewards for those who make it round.

" Ithink the shops will put on some pretty special things for kids who manage to do the whole trail."

Among the attractions will be tricks by members of Te Puke Gymsport Club outside Te Puke Memorial Hall, games devised by Kelvin O'Hara from Middle Eire, street theatre by members of Te Puke Repertory Society and a haunted photo booth at the library.

"We are encouraging people to take photos of kids in costume and enter by posting a picture on Facebook and we'll be able to judge them and give them prizes. It's cool that some of the businesses are collaborating with this."

The idea has captured the imagination of businesses, says Rebecca.

"There has been a lot of enthusiasm from retailers and businesses. They aren't all retailers, and some of them are coming into the downtown area even if their business isn't."

Trail Maps are available at the Te Puke Times office on Oxford St or Te Puke Library. The event will run from 4pm on October 31.