Halloween in the Stonegate neighbourhood of Airdrie has taken on a new level of excitement thanks to Kim Lovelace, a resident who has embraced her "Halloweenie" side to unite the community.
For the past two years, Kim has spearheaded this festive event, which has quickly become a beloved tradition: the Stonegate Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree.
“I just love seeing how excited the kids get, how excited the parents get that the kids are excited, and everybody participating,”
Her dedication to making Halloween unique for the community is evident in everything she does, from setting up spooky backdrops for perfect Instagram photo opportunities to organizing the pumpkin carving contest.
The event is happening on Sunday, October 27th. Speaking with Discover Airdrie, Kim encouraged residents to drop off their pumpkins, which will then be displayed for everyone to enjoy.
“We’ve got some great prizes for the winners,”
A few local businesses have donated prizes, including food gift cards and even massages. But for Kim, it’s more than just about winning; it’s about bringing people together.
“More than that, it’s just about participating and having fun.”
Kim’s yard is transformed into a Halloween haven with a decorated fence where anyone can snap a picture. Whether it’s a cute scene or something scarier, she’s thought of everything.
“There’s a little bit of scary ones, there’s some cute ones, whatever works for you,”
She invites people to stop by anytime for a photo op. If someone needs help, Kim encourages them to knock on the door, where someone will gladly assist in capturing the perfect shot.
While the event is primarily about fun, Kim acknowledges the learning curve from last year’s experience.
"Last year, we did it five or six nights in a row, but honestly, it was a lot of work,"
This year, the event is more streamlined, with pumpkins being dropped off and displayed daily to avoid the wear and tear on the carved creations. That way, carvers can also pick them up and display them at their seats for Halloween night. She's even added a few more decorations to the display for families to check out. For Kim, the Jamboree is more than just a fun Halloween celebration. It's about fostering a sense of community and making memories. It's putting together these events. She's had a chance to get to know her neighbours and other Airdronians much better than she'd have ever thought.
Whether carving pumpkins, taking spooky pictures, or enjoying chocolate, Sunday's Stone Gate Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree promises to be a fantastic time for all! Kim has already carved some amazing pumpkfor off this year's display.
