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OIL SPRINGS – It’s been a while since Felicia Nicol came here to check out the Oil Museum of Canada.
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“I haven’t been to this museum since I was a little kid,” said the Brigden resident, who brought her four-year-old son, Silvan, with her. “It’s quite different.”
The facility looked a little different to most people who visited it Saturday as the building, staff and volunteers were decked out in Halloween costumes. Called Cackling Cauldrons, the trick-or-treating event the museum started before the COVID-19 pandemic, then revived in recent years, returned Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Christina Sydorko, the museum’s educational program co-ordinator, said shortly before noon the event was off to a great start.
“It’s so much warmer and the sun’s out, so we hope we get a lot (of visitors),” she said.
Sydorko, who dressed as a witch to fit the cauldrons theme, estimated about 40 people, many dressed in costumes, came through in the first hour. About 250 came out in 2023.
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“We’re hoping to meet that goal again this year,” she said.
There was no charge to attend. Admission to the museum this year is free to Lambton residents as the county celebrates its 175th anniversary.
Student volunteers handed out candy at the museum and youngsters also completed Halloween crafts and played games. Sponsorships have helped cover the cost in some years past, Sydorko said, noting hopes are to attract sponsors for future events.
The museum also partnered with Oil Springs, she said, noting the village’s 3 to 5 p.m. children’s Halloween party at the Oil Springs Youth Centre featured games, goodies, crafts, and a costume contest, with judging beginning at 4 p.m.
“That’s new from last year,” she said. “We’ve decided to combine both events.”
With files from Tyler Kula
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