St. Thomas Downtown Development Board photo, Facebook
St. Thomas families can get into the Halloween spirit early this Friday as the annual Downtown Pumpkin Prowl returns with trick-or-treating, decorated storefronts, and a new way to take part.
Running October 23 from 5 to 7 p.m., the event hosted by the St. Thomas Downtown Development Board invites children and their families to explore participating businesses along Talbot Street, from First Avenue to Stanley Street.
Sarah Lynch, Downtown Development and Engagement Officer with the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation, says the event has grown into a special community tradition, bringing families and local businesses together for an evening of Halloween fun.
That’s because this year, the DDB is introducing a Halloween-themed twist on its traditional passport. Instead of collecting stamps or signatures from participating businesses, visitors can complete a “Potion Sheet” by writing down the name of each business they visit and the special word displayed in its window.
The completed sheets offer a chance to win one of eight prize packs, each containing $50 in Downtown Dollars.
Participants can drop off their Potion Sheet outside City Hall by 7 p.m. on Friday, bring it to the Horton Farmers’ Market PumpkinFest the following day, or use it to gain admission to the St. Thomas Stars game after the Pumpkin Prowl.
Anyone who drops off their completed Potion Sheet to staff at the Joe Thornton Community Centre will be able to watch the Stars host the St. Marys Lincolns, free of charge. Puck drop for the game is 7:30 p.m.
Lynch reminds participants that a portion of Talbot Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 4 to 7:30 p.m., something they implemented in 2025 due to the growth of the event.
Adding that families are encouraged to keep safety top of mind during the Pumpkin Prowl.
The list of participating businesses and printable Potion Sheets are available at downtownpumpkinprowl.ca. Printed copies will also be available at City Hall during the event, and the St. Thomas Public Library offers printing services for those without access to a printer.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
