The Port Arcades Shopping Centre’s Safe Trick or Treating, which took place on Saturday, October 29, is being hailed as a success.
The Ellesmere Port centre was bustling with an assortment of little witches, wizards, ghosts and ghouls, as families flocked to join in the fun at the event.
Shoppers were entertained by the Grim Greaper, the two-headed monster, Peter Pumpkin and a giant stilt-walking Jack Skellington.
With an interactive pumpkin carving workshop, youngsters got creative with their designs and each received a pumpkin to take home. Free face painting, spooky storytelling and an abundance of sweets on offer, ensured there really was something for everyone.
Many of the shop staff joined in the fun too, decorating their stores and dressing in an amazing array of spooky costumes.
Costa Coffee and Bright House were joint winners of the best dressed shop competition with Supercuts a close second place.
Prizes for the fancy dress competition were awarded to Cody Morris, Lucy Paton, Benjamin Harmes, William Aslatt, Amber, Aslatt, Paige Bevan, Aimee Hardy, Emily Hardy and Bella Hughes.
The largest pumpkin in Britain also proved to be a hit with shoppers.
Suspended above the rotunda in the centre, the six-metre inflatable pumpkin is now a regular feature each Halloween and forms an important part of the Port Arcades Shopping Centre’s much enjoyed annual Halloween celebrations.
On Monday (October 31) the Halloween celebrations continued as the centre celebrated all things wizardry with an All Hallows day, a visit from a Dumbledore look alike character, an owl display, and a wand making workshop with Professor Sprout.
Once again fancy dress prizes were awarded. The lucky winners were Louis Fennell, Poppi Barnes and Evie Corkish.
Michelle Pickstock, from The Port Arcades Shopping Centre, said: “Halloween is one of the most looked forward to events in the centre every year, by our shoppers, retailers and the management team.
“Every year I think this event can’t get any better but every year we are even more impressed with the efforts people make to join in the fun.
“There is a real sense of community around this event, and the fact that children can trick or treat in the warmth and safety of the centre is a massive plus for parents.
“Having the additional event on Monday also worked well and allowed shoppers to enjoy two days of fun this year.”
