Image Credit: Wildcat Dunny - Flickr

KELOWNA - Halloween in the Okanagan is marked by pop-up costume stores, haunted houses, corn mazes and trick or treaters, but here are five things you might not know about All Hallows Eve in Kelowna.

Fireworks are illegal in Kelowna (sort of)

City of Kelowna bylaw No. 8789 states that you cannot buy, sell, use or store fireworks within the city limits without a permit. 

However, it is still legal to purchase them on First Nation land.

Police aren't that worried about Halloween night

Const. Jesse O’Donaghey says although generally adults commit more crimes on Halloween night than kids, it depends on what day it falls on. And weather is an important factor as well.

“If you’ve got great weather and it falls on a Friday night there will be more people out getting into trouble,” he says. “This year we’re not expecting much trouble because it’s on a Monday.”

Bears are active this time of year

While some bears have already started to hibernate, many are still actively trying to fatten up for the winter. That means the chance of running into them while out at night, especially in more remote areas.

Chris Doyle of the B.C. Conservation Service recommends garbage and pumpkins be kept off the streets and doorsteps as much as possible and to dispose of pumpkins immediately after Halloween.

The Kelowna Corn Maze is an annual Halloween favourite.

Image Credit: Facebook

You don’t have to spend a fortune for a good costume

Kerri Brandel of Calowna Costumes says anybody can put together a decent costume for under $10 and a little imagination.

“Go cheap with accessories,” she says. “Those awesome cheesy white vampire fangs are 80 cents and we have cheap capes. For under 10 bucks we can make you into an awesome vampire.”

If you want to spend a little more, she says, superheroes are big again this year.

“Classic Halloween is also back,” she says. “Monsters, vampires, werewolves. The scary Halloween.”

More women than men dress up for Halloween

“We like our accessories,” she says. “But we’re starting to see more and more men and we do a lot of couples costumes, which is always fun.”

Just like last year, she says, the most popular couples costume is Harley Quinn and Joker.

Tips for staying safe

West Kelowna Fire Rescue has issued several tips for staying safe during Halloween.

They recommend anyone out at night wear reflective costumes, carry a flashlight or wear glow sticks to improve visibility; avoid masks and costumes that obstruct visibility or consist of billowy materials and use battery operated candles or glow sticks in jack-o’-lanterns.

Clear all pathways and exits of pumpkins and large decorations that may pose tripping hazards for trick-or-treaters or block your way in an emergency.

Const. Jesse O’Donaghey says children should trick or treat along one side of the street before crossing safely and returning on the other side.

“Not zig zagging across the street,” he says.

He also recommends makeup instead of masks, only approaching houses with lights on and allow parents to go through treats before eating.

Masks are a cheap costume idea, but RCMP recommend against them as they limit vision.

(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)

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