Mat Manamat, Head Circus teacher, getting ready for Circus Kumurani's night party. Photo / Supplied
Mat Manamat, Head Circus teacher, getting ready for Circus Kumurani's night party. Photo / Supplied
Circus Kumurani is hosting its first Halloween celebration with the team actively converting headquarters in to a creepy location for October 31.
The concept of the event was to celebrate Halloween without the trick or treat component so they decided to have a party where participants complete activities on a tour of the site that has been decorated and staged according to the theme.
Kumurani Productions Trust, aka Circus Kumurani, started in Dargaville 15 years ago and is a community circus working in art, culture and education for people of all ages and abilities.
They offer a range of classes, workshops, performances and team building in the Kaipara and Whangārei areas, but this is their first year that they have hosted this type of event.
Abbe Clark, who spoke on behalf of the organisation, said how as a parent she loved watching her son preparing for Halloween but didn't enjoy the door knocking because of safety reasons, but also "because you can knock on a lot of doors before you get candy".
She felt it was better children could got to one place where they could get dressed up, have fun in a safe environment and still be rewarded with the desired lollies.
Contact Circus Kumurani via their Facebook page or call 09 439 5152 to make a booking. The Halloween party is between 6 and 8pm and bookings are a must.
Scouts still making impact after 108 years
New Zealand's biggest mixed youth organisation, Scouts New Zealand, has been in Dargaville for 108 years helping kids learn positive values and enjoy new adventures while making an impact in the community.
Locally there are nine Scouts (between the school years of 6 and 10), 13 Cubs (a junior version for girls and boys between year 4 and 6) and four Keas (the youngest participants, ranging from year 1 to 3). There are also opportunities for older children up to the age of 26, however there are no Venturers or Rovers currently in Dargaville.
One of the most exciting events for Scouts is the "Jamboree" which is in Hamilton next year. This 10-day camp runs every three years at different sites in New Zealand and is attended by around 4000 Scouts, leaders and staff.
Dargaville Scout group has started fundraising so seven local kids can have the opportunity to attend. Each child needs to raise $500 of the $1500 total which Belinder Gummer (who is a training to become a leader), says gives the kids an ownership to getting to the camp.
One of their fundraising events is a movie night on tonight at 7.30pm at the Scout hall on Onslow St. Cocoa, the animated movie will be playing, and treats will be available to purchase. Phone 021 293 7332 for more information.
Lighthouse Church puts on a light party
An alternative to the typical celebration of Halloween will again be running at the Lighthouse Church next week.
From left, back, Robert Ebola, Xavier Dixon, Cooper-lee Gilligan and leader Janneke Gilligan are fundraising to attend the Jamboree in Hamilton next year. Daria Dixon and Holy Duncan (front row) are two representatives of the 13 local cubs who are too young to participant in this three-yearly event. Photo / Supplied
The initiative began because Marion McEwing, an organiser of the event, felt there was a need for something more positive to celebrate at Halloween.
Some of the negative messages in the event's history and its practices, such as trick or treating, were things that she and her husband Brian didn't wish to endorse.
They discovered a New Zealand idea of celebrating "light not darkness" in what is known as a light party and have hosted these festivities in Dargaville for more than 10 years.
Each year there is a theme that the children can dress up for and the party is decorated accordingly.
Previous topics have included Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Rugby World Cup and Toy Story.
The latter party included a play written by McEwing's daughter, where dolls in a toy store (played by real people in life sized boxes) came to life.
The production was so popular that they showed it around the local primary schools after the event.
Dargaville Scouts preparing and checking their camping equipment before setting off on one of their camps. Photo / Supplied
This year's focus is "once upon a story" where children can dress in their favorite storybook character as long as it's not a scary costume.
There will be prizes and games and even a candy maze which has become a popular part of the event.
Once upon a story will be on Wednesday, October 31, from 6-7pm at The Lighthouse Church, 78 Normandy St. Gold coin donation. Open to all school aged children.
Farmers groups host haunted house night
Northland Young Farmers are holding a haunted house night as part of Halloween.
Connie Chaplin, a member of Whangārei Young Farmers who works in Dargaville, came up with the idea of a haunted house to fundraise for their association.
"We have never tried to fundraise money like this before, but we figured it would be a fun evening for us and the people of Northland, and a great way to raise money for events in 2019 such as the gumboot ball, competitions, and the regional finals for the FMG Young Farmer of the Year".
Unlike other Halloween activities on this week, this event is R16 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Inside the haunted house. Photo / Supplied
"We set this age limit because we believe that some things could be inappropriate or scary for children, and we don't want to be responsible for kids not sleeping at night because of the things they saw in the Haunted House.
"But for the people that can handle it, we expect that they will be entertained, scared and have a good laugh whilst trying something different on a Saturday night and supporting the local young farmer clubs and people at the same time".
If you want to know more about the Young Farmers Club, where you don't have to be a farmer to join, contact them on Facebook at: Northland Region Young Farmers or their website: www.youngfarmers.co.nz.
The Northern Wairoa club meet at Tokatoka Tavern on the second Wednesday of each Month.
The Possession of The Young, Haunted House will be opened for one night only on Saturday October 27 from 7-9.30pm at 106 Jervois St, Dargaville. $10 Entry R16, No ID, No entry. Enter at your own risk!
Northland Young Farmers is made up of six clubs from the Bay of Islands to Auckland.
Each club meets once a month to discuss coming events, and competitions such as fencing, clay target shooting, and stock judging and it is a way to help develop leaderships skills and make friends in what is a very rural community.
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