By Tyler Wright
To raise funds for local schools, the iconic Hills tradition of Halloween on the Green will be returning to the Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve this year.
Held by the Philanthropic Collective on Sunday 30 October, Halloween on the Green creator Andrew Fillip-Gautier said almost $10,000 worth of prizes have been donated from the community for this year’s event.
“Businesses aren’t able to support us financially like they once did pre-Covid… post-Covid they still wanted the event to go ahead, and they’ve shown that in spades by all the vouchers that people have donated from their businesses,” Mr Fillip-Gautier said.
“Whether a voucher is big or small, it is a testament to the resilience of our community.”
An $8 entry fee will give ‘Halloween on the Green’ visitors access to free carnival rides, free entertainment from musicians Dave Graney and Clare Moore as well as mariachi bands and other attractions.
You can also get decked out in your spooky gear and enter a Halloween-themed best dressed competition for $5.
For Mr Fillip-Gautier, Halloween on the Green is all about connection and inclusion of each other.
“There’s lots of excitement,” he said.
“People are looking forward to having that opportunity to all come together again, and dress up and have some fun in our Hills flavour.”
The Philanthropic Collective has also teamed up with social enterprise B-Alternative this year to facilitate reusable vessels made out of compostable rice husks for food service, with $2 from each entry fee going towards the initiative.
Halloween on the Green will run from 11am to 5pm at 16 Clarkmont Road in Sassafras, with tickets available through the event’s website.
