The Potato Shed’s third annual Halloween celebration was a roaring success, with thousands flocking to the Drysdale venue to enjoy the spooks, screams and sunshine.
Running from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon (October 28-29), Spookfest featured live performances, film showings and a haunted house inside the Potato Shed theatre, roving entertainers outside, games, activities, face painting and food vans.
Spookfest first launched in 2020 as an online event. It didn’t run in 2021 but made a triumphant return in 2022, with organisers overwhelmed by the huge crowd turnouts.
Potato Shed venue manager Rob MacLeod said organisers were better prepared for the event’s popularity this year, and the weekend had been a total success.
“The thing was, everybody was dressed up, from one year olds up to 80, 90 year olds,” Mr MacLeod said.
“That’s what amazed me, was the amount of people that really embraced the whole dress up business.
“The Sunday ran from 10am till 4pm, and by 10am the car park was already full and there were people everywhere. So they were very excited.”
Mr MacLeod thanked main organiser Trent Humphrey, Potato Shed employees and the “big team” of volunteers who had made the weekend possible.
Local entertainment company Fresh Creative Entertainment were part of the event for the third time, providing fire twirling outside as well as shows inside the theatre over the weekend.
Fresh Creative founder Chantelle Fava said she and her teamed loved Spookfest, highlighting the importance of the Potato Shed to the region and its arts community.
“I think what I love about it the most is the community coming together in such large numbers,” she said.
“The grounds at the Potato Shed make it fantastic because there’s so much space for people to explore.
“It’s like this community hub where all different age groups are able to come together. And people know if they’re going to spend their money there, they’re going to get something good because they trust the directors of the theatre.”
