There are not many events where parents can send their children off to play with knives, but a pumpkin carving afternoon at the Donalda Public Library was different.
On Saturday, Oct. 29, youth from Stettler and surrounding areas descended on the library to have fun making their "crazy Halloween art," according to librarian Naomi LaBelle.
"We had several people who drove more than 20 km to participate," she said. "We also took in some donations for the local Stettler Food Bank."
The youth were able to carve and keep their pumpkins, the gourds being donated by Sean's No Frills. Prizes, including a door prize, were donated by Stettler Home Hardware, John's Vending, and Coutt's Home Hardware in Forestburg.
The pumpkin art day was just the latest in Halloween-themed events hosted by the Donalda Public Library.
On Friday, Oct. 21, the library hosted its first Halloween Karaoke day. The regular karaoke events have outgrown the space available at the library as they have been very popular, LaBelle noted. The singing has been taking place at the Donalda Friendship Coulee Club's hall instead.
For its inaugural Halloween karaoke day, more than 50 people showed up, many in costume. According to LaBelle, the attendance is the highest yet.
"We danced the Monster Mash and tried to limbo – as well as singing the hits from the past 50 years," she said. "We have over 1,000 songs now, with an amp and decent microphones."
John's Vending and the Donalda Library donated prizes for the day, and LaBelle said without the friendship club, which donates the use of the hall, the Monday "Kickin' Karaoke" events would never have taken off as they have.