On Hallowe'en night, the streets of St George's will be filled with witches, historical characters, roaming performers and families in search of something sweet.

The Olde Towne Trick & Treat returns on Saturday, October 31, with more decorations, activities and entertainment, culminating in a musical fire show in the Town Square.

For creator Tara Sapien, however, the event is about much more than one night of Hallowe'en festivities.

“I just believe that it can grow into a much larger Hallowe'en, full fall calendar experience. There really doesn't seem to be a real outlet for Hallowe'en. There are no real safe spaces where people can bring their kids. I wanted to do something on a larger scale that can inspire creativity in children and help them face their fears.”

Following what she described as overwhelming community support for last year's event, Ms Sapien has been working to make this year's experience even more immersive.

“Visitors will check in at the ticket gate, at Moongate and on Water Street. There will be lots of immersive decor and immersive characters to learn about their history.

“Trick-or-treating throughout the town. They can read about the witch trials at the witch trial memorial. They can visit all of the stores that are open for the night.”

She continued: “There will be scavenger hunt questions to answer, things to discover about our history and historical people in the town.”

Some of those people will make an appearance themselves, although Ms Sapien is keeping their identities under wraps.

“Surprise characters, real people who existed in the town, and they'll be telling their stories. The ‘witches’ will be about.”

The evening's biggest production will take place at 8.30pm, when the Town Square becomes the setting for a fire show inspired by one of the women executed during Bermuda's witch trials.

“It's the biggest fire show we've put on. It's also a musical about one of the witches that was executed in our town.

“The show is what I focused on most this year, to elevate that and create more of an experience. This has music that goes with the fire. I will be singing. There will be musical elements throughout the show.”

She says to also expect extravagant decor.

“I think the biggest change will be more decor. The town is going to be more decorated, more spots to take pictures, more picturesque.”

Roaming cirque performers, a costume competition and other activities will add to the atmosphere.

“Frequency Café has a range of speciality drinks. White Horse and The Wharf are doing speciality cocktails.”

The various restaurants will also be open for dinner and have vending options available.

Hallowe'en for everyone

Ms Sapien wants the celebration to appeal to everyone, from families with young children to teenagers and couples looking for something different to do on Hallowe'en.

“Water Street and the Town Square and just beyond Bridge Street is really straight through. That will all be closed off to traffic.”

Other activities will extend towards Lili Bermuda Perfumery and St Peter's Church, which has allowed the event to use its cemetery.

For parents wondering how to keep children of different ages entertained, Ms Sapien said there will be plenty of options.

“Your teenagers will definitely be able to run off on their own. There will be security and police. I have a fun castle this year. We have more sensory experiences and lots of arts and crafts.”

A whole season of opportunity

While Hallowe'en is the immediate focus, Ms Sapien believes St George's has the potential to become an international fall destination.

“Our historical background, we had witch trials 100 years before there were witch trials in Salem. You can look at the other Fall destinations and see how St George's ticks all those boxes and more.”

She believes much of what is needed to make that vision a reality already exists.

“Everything is already here. It's about getting together to make it more of a season for us.”

She pointed to Kristin White's haunted history tours as an example of the experiences that could form part of a wider seasonal calendar.

“It's really endless opportunities, and the town itself and the history that's already here. It's just a matter of highlighting it and marketing it abroad.”

She expects more businesses to find ways to participate as the event develops.

“I think we'll see more tours coming up. I think there's a lot of ways that entrepreneurs can do things.”

And while the scale of the event continues to grow, Sapien wants its benefits to be felt across the community.

“I'm working with everyone to give them ideas so that every entrepreneur is walking away from the event winning, as well as the charities.”

For Ms Sapien, the goal is to create an experience that brings people together, encourages them to explore the town and shows what St George's could become when its history and creativity are given room to shine.