The Curraghs Wildlife Park, Ballaugh, is linking up with a local charity to provide lots of spooky themed events to celebrate Hop tu Naa. Crossroads Caring for Carers (Isle of Man registered charity 383) is organising a full day of activities, fancy dress competition and lantern making at the Wildlife Park on Saturday 29 October, along with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt that will run from Monday 24 October until Saturday 29 October. Tina Jauncey, Park Duty Manager, said: ‘It promises to be a fun day on October 29 with lots of Hop Tu Naa activities laid on by Crossroads. We are very pleased to collaborate over these special activities and hope it raises lots of money for them while bringing additional visitors to the park. ‘Children in fancy dress on the Saturday will have free admission so we look forward to the park being full of ghosts, ghouls and witches.’ The Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt will be available from Monday 24 October to Saturday 29 October. Children will have to find 10 pumpkins hidden around the park to receive a treat. Participants pay ?1 donation to Crossroads Caring for Carers. Saturday activities include lantern-making, turnip carving, face painting and a special Bugs n Grubs ice cream from Davison’s available in the Lakeside Cafe. There will be a raffle for a Pepsi mountain bike – tickets already on sale at the Park, Davison’s ice cream parlour in Douglas and Crossroads Caring for Carers shops on Prospect Terrace and Victoria Street, Douglas. Full details of all activities can be found below. Additionally the Wildlife Park has arranged Creepy Crawly talks to be givenby the Friends of the Wildlife Park and a ghost train to be running throughout the Saturday. The park’s opening hours are 10am until 4pm. Along with free admission for children in fancy dress (on Saturday 29 October), anyone getting to the Park by bus receives a 10% discount on the park’s admission price, on production of a valid bus ticket. Spooky activities at the Curraghs Wildlife Park on Saturday 29 October in conjunction with Crossroads Caring for Carers: • Zombie Walk: Local drama and dance groups transform into ghosts, ghouls and creatures from the grave to walk around the Park at regular intervals throughout the day. • Lantern Making from 10am: weave willow into butterflies, bats, or bewitching creatures in the Summerhouse. Also paper lanterns, masks and colouring for younger children. Cost ?1 donation to Crossroads Caring for Carers and you can take your creations home. Specialist staff will be on hand to demonstrate and assist with weaving willow. Latest start time 3.15pm. • Turnip Carving from 10am: turn turnips into terrifying Jack-o-Lanterns in the play area. Carving kits suitable for children provided. ?1 donation to Crossroads Caring for Carers and you can take your turnip home. Turnips pre-hollowed and staff will be on hand to assist with carving. Latest start time 3.15pm. • Fancy Dress Competition: gather by the play area (indoor play area if wet) at 2pm where the best dressed will receive a prize. Competition entry is ?1 donation to Crossroads Caring for Carers – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes available. • In the Lakeside Cafe will be Davison’s Bugs ‘n’ Grubs ice cream plus the Imagination Station – Face Painting by Torie for ?3 per face, ?1 of which donated to Crossroads Caring for Carers, Glitter Mine Glitter Tattoos (prices vary depending on size of transfer) and a Bike Raffle with a chance to win a brand new Pepsi mountain bike – tickets ?1 in aid of Crossroads Caring for Carers, available now from Curraghs Wildlife Park, Davison’s Ice Cream Parlour in Douglas and Crossroads Shops on Prospect Terrace and Victoria Street. • Children in fancy dress receive free admission to the Wildlife Park on Saturday 29 October. All Hop tu Naa activities are provided at the Wildlife Park in conjunction with Crossroads Caring for Carers Isle of Man, a local charity which provides meaningful respite to those caring for someone with an illness, disability, frailty, substance abuse or mental health problem. Alex Wilson, Crossroads Caring for Carers fundraising events co-ordinator, said: ‘Crossroads cares for over 700 families, providing over 100,000 hours of respite and meaningful care every year on the island. The funds raised through events like this one enable Crossroads to continue to care. Three in five people have a chance of becoming a Carer at least one in their lifetime so Crossroads' work is vital in supporting the Carer and the community.’ ENDS