Stormy weather failed to dampen the Halloween spirit in Richmond as local families came together for a day of spooky fun, with Be Richmond bringing its annual Halloween celebrations indoors for the first time in five years.
After four years of hosting its popular Halloween event outdoors, Be Richmond, the Business Improvement District (BID) for Richmond town centre, welcomed families to Duke Street Church on Saturday 24 October for its Be Spooky Halloween Fun Fest.
With stormy conditions outside, the indoor venue provided the perfect setting for families to enjoy a packed programme of Halloween activities, ensuring the celebrations could go ahead whatever the weather.
The event brought together local families for a day of creativity, laughter and Halloween magic, with children getting stuck into pumpkin carving, spooky fairground games, face painting and plenty of seasonal surprises.
Little monsters were able to choose their very own pumpkin before getting creative at the carving station, taking home their spooky masterpieces as a reminder of the day.
Elsewhere, children put their skills to the test with Halloween-themed games including Witch Hat Hoopla, Spook-a-Duck and Skull Knockdown, while the Halloween photo booth proved a popular stop for families looking to capture the occasion with a personalised Polaroid keepsake.
Adding to the atmosphere, playful Pumpkin Patch characters made appearances throughout the day, posing for photographs and entertaining visitors, while families dressed in their Halloween best helped transform the venue into a colourful celebration of the spooky season.
Fay Cannings, CEO of Be Richmond, said:
"After four years of holding our Halloween celebrations outdoors, this was our first time bringing the event inside, and we couldn't have picked a better year to do it! Despite the stormy weather, it was uplifting to see families coming together and enjoying everything the day had to offer.
"Events like this are about so much more than the activities themselves. They're about creating opportunities for our local community to come together, making memories and giving families another reason to spend time in Richmond town centre.
"Seeing so many children enjoying themselves, proudly showing off their pumpkins and getting into the Halloween spirit was wonderful. We're delighted that we could bring a little Halloween magic to Richmond & bring venues to life”.
The event took place across a series of timed sessions, giving families the opportunity to enjoy the activities throughout the day. Each participating child received a pumpkin to carve, alongside access to the Halloween entertainment and activities as part of their ticket.
The Be Spooky Halloween Fun Fest is part of Be Richmond's wider programme of community events and initiatives, designed to bring people together, support local businesses and encourage residents and visitors to make the most of Richmond town centre throughout the year.