The last day of October was on a Friday, a perfect school day to celebrate the end of the month and engage in Halloween activities. (Halloween happens on October 31). People dress up in costume and hand out candy to kids and adults. Having the weekend right after gives students & teachers time to get rid of their sugar highs after indulging in sweets.
The festivities at Inuujaq School began a week early with classes decorating their doors. We love decorating our doors. The doors would be judged on the morning of October 31, and the chosen winners announced at the afternoon Halloween assembly (more on this coming up). The hallways are also decorated to create atmosphere. High school students designed and set up a haunted house in a large classroom downstairs for Grades 4 – 12. The classroom was chosen because it has two entrance/exit doors; good for traffic flow. The school’s Events Committee handled the assembly program, day schedule, and purchasing bags of candy for classes.
The morning of October 31 was like a regular school day but with a Halloween twist. I arrived early to photograph classroom doors & hallway decorations. The haunted house operated all morning while three judges walked around and selected the best decorated doors. Teachers did Halloween themed activities in their classrooms. My high school drummers & I reviewed our concert program. We were the assembly’s opening act and wanted to make sure everything went well. I assured the drummers our performance will be fine considering we’ve been preparing since September.
Underworld Emperor.
Lunch was extended to 90 minutes to give students & staff time to eat and change into their costumes. I brought my costume from home and changed at school. I also brought my previous costumes and set them in my classroom for anyone to borrow. My costume this year was Underworld Emperor, bought from Spirit Halloween. The one-size-fits-all facemask was large, so I pulled back the excess and used a binder clip to hold it in place. This tightened the mask and made it easier for me to see. I headed down to the gym to set up the drums. My drummers joined me some time later.
Underworld Emperor.
Students, staff, parents, & guardians arrived after lunch, excited & dressed in costume. Everyone made their way to the gym for the assembly. My drummers & I waited in the gym lobby as everyone filed in. The place was packed.
The assembly began with a brief welcome address from the principal. Then she called on me & the drummers to perform our concert. We walked in a line and took our positions behind our drums. I stood in the centre. I picked up my sticks, looked in both directions, and then clicked 4 times. Our concert began. We played three 1-minute drum cadences as a group. I then played a duet with a student, followed by a drum solo. Our performance lasted 6 minutes and the audience enjoyed it.
My drummers & I moved our drums to the back of the gym, and the audience created a large open space in the middle for the costume contest. Classes, school staff, and parents/guardians walked around the centre of the gym showcasing their costumes. The judges who picked the best decorated doors selected the best dressed from each class/group. The winners received Co-op gift cards. The winners of the door decorating contest were announced and the winning classes received funding for celebratory pizza parties.
Students & teachers returned to class after the assembly. My drummers helped me pack and put away the drums. I congratulated my drummers for putting on a great first performance. Halloween activities continued in classrooms and bags of candy were distributed & consumed. School was dismissed early to let people get ready for community trick-or-treating. Those who borrowed my costumes returned them. I removed my mask to breathe fresh air and wipe away sweat. I changed out of my costume. The principal gave me a ride home because I needed help transporting the large Rubbermaid bin that contained my costumes.
I brought out the candy I bought online and divided the first batch into three large bowls. I changed back into my costume, moved a chair close to the door, and turned off most of the lights in my place. When the time came, I unlocked the front door, sat, and waited. Trick-or-treating began at 5pm.
There are a lot of trick-or-treaters every year. They come in waves. I do my best not to keep them waiting. I also hand out candy to parents if they want it. The weather outside is dark & cold, so many children are chauffeured around town on atvs, skidoos, and in vehicles. Trick-or-treating lasted until about 6:45pm. I went through many boxes of candy, but I did have leftovers. I changed out of my costume and proceeded to the community hall for the Ugliest Halloween Costume contest.
I never miss this contest because it’s fun to see the creative & crazy combinations. Previous participants have told me they just find stuff around the house, but thought is needed to put everything together to make it work. Or maybe it’s not supposed to work? People have asked me if I’ll ever participate, and I’m always split. Half of me thinks I can pull it off while the other says no. Only time will tell.
I
found a seat at the back of the community hall.
People & participants slowly trickled in and found seats. Participants sat in front of the stage and
were given numbers to wear on their backs.
The numbers make it easier for the judges to choose the winners. Participants were divided into two groups: 12
& Under, and 13 & Over.
The competition began with the 12 & Under group walking around the middle of the hall with music playing in the background. Some of the participants were toddlers, so their parents walked & carried them. They returned to their seats when the music stopped. The process was the same for the 13 & Over group . . . except nobody carried them. The costumes were creative & crazy. It’ll take me more than 1000 words to describe each costume, so I’ll let my photos do the talking. If you’re ever in Arctic Bay for Halloween, this event is one you don’t want to miss!
The
judges took a few minutes to discuss & decide the top three winners from
each group. Each winner was called up on
stage to receive their cash prize and reveal their identity to the
audience.
A
candy toss was held after the contest.
Recreational staff threw candy from the stage. I didn’t participate because I have leftover
candy at home. I went home after the
candy toss.
