St Albans Rainbow Trail launches competitions for Halloween week

Houses across St Albans are getting in the Halloween spirit by putting rainbow pumpkins in their windows. Picture: The Addison Family (Image: Archant)

Starting this Sunday (October 25), the events will run until Halloween in both socially-distant and virtual forms.

The competitions include a ‘spooktacular’ Halloween house, a virtual pumpkin carving contest and a rainbow pumpkin hunt.

Entry is free, but participants are encouraged to make a contribution to their local school to support their fundraising efforts.

Organiser Preet Cox said: “I absolutely love putting these initiatives together.

The Rainbow Army have been getting creative, keeping St Albans bright and colourful. Picture: Anna Hatherly (Image: Archant)

“I think that it’s bringing the community together in a way that perhaps we didn’t come together prior to the pandemic. That’s something that’s really beautiful to see, especially in quite an uncertain time.”

Danielle Charing, who is a member of the Rainbow Army, said: “Lockdown has definitely highlighted the importance of the community that we live in. The St Albans Rainbow trail was such a positive community activity which the children really embraced and loved participating in.

“With the disappointment of no trick or treating this year the Halloween event arranged by Preet has given the children a new found excitement and again, to be part of the community. They have loved decorating the inside and outside of our house for them and others to enjoy.”

Although the main aim of these events is to keep children entertained, Preet added that there’s definitely something in it for the grown-ups, too: “To see it through a child’s eyes - it’s a little bit like Christmas! You see that amazement and how happy they are, it’s such a special thing.

The Rainbow Army have been getting creative, keeping St Albans bright and colourful. Picture: Declan McCabe (Image: Archant)

“To think that’s something that I’ve been able to bring to the community is really lovely to see. It’s through creativity that we’re coming together.”

For more information, visit the St Albans Rainbow Trail on Facebook.

St Albans Rainbow Trail are enouraging people to get involved, putting a colourful twist on Halloween festivities. Picture: Amelia Smith (Image: Archant)

Children (and their parents, too!) in St Albans district are encouraged to get creative and add rainbow Halloween decorations to their homes. Credit: Anwen Adams and Mollie Fielder (Image: Archant)