The light and dark sides of Halloween

CHRIS SKELTON/Fairfax NZ

LIGHT AND DARK: Top, Noah Saolele, left, Tomos Christie, twins Toby and Hana Kilford and Arabella Adlington at Island Bay Presbyterian Church’s Light Party last night. Bottom is Logan Sullivan, Callum Austin, Ally Andrews-McAulay, and Kane Austin outside a Devonshire St Halloween house in Miramar.

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Halloween doesn't have to be all ghouls, gross-outs and goblins.

The combined churches of Island Bay hosted a Light Party last night as an alternative to what organiser Melanie Heaphy said was an Americanised tradition of trick-or-treating, witches and ghouls.

The frightless fiesta at Island Bay Presbyterian Church featured an obstacle course and a treasure hunt, games, crafts and a light supper.

Seven-year-old partygoer Hana Kilford, who was dressed as an angel, said: "It's not that dark but we still get treats - lots of them - and you get to play lots of games with lots of friends."

Ms Heaphy said: "It's more of a positive slant but kids still have fun without being scary."

Meanwhile, in nearby Miramar, thousands of kids were expected to turn up over the course of the day at two Halloween parties in Para St and Devonshire Rd, where the attractions included a popcorn stand with toppings of frog sludge and blood, and Vomit Man.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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