All Shires' Eve

25/09/2024

We’re just a month away! Share the fun to come with everyone. Like, share, and tag your boo 😉

07/11/2023

Hooray!

06/11/2023

If you didn’t get to visit the maze downtown that Angelina Jackman and Charles Jackman created downtown, we got a video! This things was so cool!

Check out Houlton Halloween 🎃's video.

05/11/2023

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who joined us in celebrating this year's All Shires' Eve. The inaugural edition of this event was an exhilarating journey, and it wouldn't have been possible without the unwavering support of our incredible community. Whether you actively contributed to the event's organization or simply attended to revel in the festivities, your presence made a significant impact.

Take a moment to have a look at the event photos featured in the album below. If you or your loved ones captured memorable moments during the All Shires' Eve Downtown Candy Crawl or any of our other activities, we encourage you to tag us or send us your photographs via messenger. We'll gladly include them in our album for everyone to enjoy.

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It's important to note that this event wasn't officially sponsored; rather, it was a grassroots initiative driven by the passion of individuals, businesses, and organizations who wanted to offer their friends and neighbors an enriched Halloween experience.

While these generous contributors didn't seek recognition, we feel compelled to offer them an immense and heartfelt thank you for making this event a reality. Their dedication and support are truly priceless and appreciated so much.

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In no particular order:

To Angelina and Charles from Living Innovations-Northern Maine as well as their group of incredible trunk-or-treat volunteers. If you got the chance to walk through the spooky maze downtown and collect candy from the creatively themed trunks, you could clearly see the effort and passion they put into the downtown candy crawl. Without their hard work, the event would not have been the same and there are no words to express how grateful we are that they were involved.

To Jeff Bouchard who was kind enough to bring out his tractor for some good ole' fashioned hayrides! The candy crawl crowd loved this activity. We definitely saw a few going for a second and third ride!

To the Carleton Project crew - Lilly, Carol, Cassie, Nancy, Brittney, Raven, Dom, Mark and Nina for hosting a variety of family friendly Halloween activities. The trick-or treat bag creation and facepainting activities were a huge hit with kids and adults alike!

To Fred, Chris, Jason, Gloria and the rest of the crew from WHOU 100.1 FM, Market Pizza, and the Temple Theatre for the event advertising, discounts and themed movies. You helped tie this event together, spread the word and make sure there were tons of fun and spooky activities for all age groups to enjoy. Speaking of the movies, we also want to thank Bowers Funeral Home and Dead River Company for sponsoring two of the movies, making them free for everyone to enjoy!

To Roxanne and Patrick, your crew, and of course, Master Chief, from The Shire Ale House for the discounts, games, murder mystery party, teen costume party and all of your amazing ideas and efforts that went into making this event happen.

Speaking of The Shire Ale House, they were our 2023 Spooky Spirit Contest winner this year! The contest was a seriously close call, with one point between the winner and second place. We wanted to thank the rest of the bars and eateries that participated: Bastions Tavern, Rise and Shine, Downunder Sports Pub and Houlton Elks Lodge #835. Your drinks were spine tingling delicious and it gave the community a chance to try out something new!

To Chief Deluca and the Houlton Police Department for keeping all of us safe before, during and after the event. This would not have been possible without you looking out for our wonderful community.

To Johanna for putting on an amazingly spooky Karaoke event and to Barbara and Rise and Shine for hosting this event and giving out prizes for the adult costume contest. We know a lot of people really enjoyed the night out at your place.

To Joshua from The Cup Cafe who hosted a truly enchanting, family-friendly craft and snack event. The postponement of the original All Shires' Eve date kind of messed with this event, but he and the crew at the Cup Cafe put a lot of work into this and deserve a huge thank you!

To Bowers Funeral Home for bringing their incredible hearse out for a showing and for giving out treats, and to the Interact Club, a branch of the Rotary Club of Houlton, for setting up and giving out treats!

To the volunteers, including Summer, Jess, and Beth that came to our meetings every week, gave ideas and input, and got the word out. We only had a month to plan this but, with your hard work, we made this a reality!

To all of the amazing businesses - Betty Marie’s Sweet Shop, Cooks on Main, The Tulgey Wood Emporium, Market Pizza, The Shire Ale House, Bastions Tavern, Rise and Shine, Temple Theatre, Carleton Project, County Micro, Country North Gifts, F.A. Peabody Insurance, Houlton Elks Lodge #835, Living Innovations, Shamrock Cafe, Sadie's Bakery, Downunder Sports Pub, WHOU 100.1 FM, and more - who gave out candy, put on discounts, hosted activities, decorated for the season, and gave support in any way for this event. Your kindness and generosity meant the world to us!

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If we are forgetting anyone, please don't feel bad. Send us a message and we will make sure your name is up here. We honestly appreciate all of you, more than you know. ❤️

We hope everyone enjoyed the celebration!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! 🎃🎃🎃

- The All Shires' Eve Crew

Explore the enchanting moments of the 2023 All Shires' Eve celebration. Immerse yourself in the magic of this unforgettable event!

04/11/2023

Come on over to The Shire Ale House and Shiretown Gaming LLC if you are 13-20 and dressed in a costume. We will announce the winner at 3pm! Here are the first 2 entries.

03/11/2023

Tomorrow, November 4th, get ready to indulge your sweet tooth at the All Shires’ Eve Candy Crawl: Downtown Houlton Trick-or-Treating and Spooktacular events!!

As we eagerly await this candy-filled extravaganza, let's take a moment to dive into the intriguing history behind why we give out candy on Halloween. 🤔🍬🍭

Halloween, that enchanting night filled with costumes, jack-o’-lanterns, and spooky stories, may have just passed us, but one of the most cherished and eagerly awaited traditions associated with Halloween is still around the corner for Houlton residents. Children and adults alike eagerly anticipat...

01/11/2023

These costumes are amazing!🤩

01/11/2023

How did everyone's Halloween haunt-tastic night go? The night may have been as chilling as a ghostly whisper, but the eerie vibes were in full swing!

Speaking of eerie vibes, the hair-raising results are in for the Spooky Spirits Showdown. Let us tell you, dear mortals, it was a nail-bitingly close competition. All the taverns and eateries truly unleashed their otherworldly creativity and conjured some bewitching brews!

The victor of the 2023 Spooky Spirits Showdown, by a mere whisper from the netherworld, is The Shire Ale House with their sinister libation, 'The Ghostbreaker'. Applause and eerie echoes of gratitude to all the participating haunts and dining establishments that dared to join the spectral fray this year, and to every soul who cast their vote. 👏

As for the rest of you mere mortals, be sure to pay a visit to our local establishments and keep the eerie festivities alive. The All Shires’ Eve Candy Crawl: Downtown Houlton Trick-or-Treating event and the Spooktacular event in Monument Park are creeping up on us, just a few days away! 🎃👻🍬

31/10/2023

Happy Halloween! It's a beautiful day for tricks, treats, and to creepily lurk behind your laundry. Hey, better than actually having to clean it. Stay safe out there and we will see everyone on Saturday! 🎃👻👀

Welcome, fellow Halloween enthusiasts, to a frightfully fun journey into the world of Halloween and the infamous masked murderer, Michael Myers. We’re about to uncover some bone-chilling yet fascinating facts that will make your Halloween even spookier! 1. The Legend Begins with Low Budget The ori...

30/10/2023

Though the festivities have been postponed, we’re still in the Halloween spirit with Monday right around the corner! Pop in and try our Boozy Brew! It’s a blackberry sangria that’s to die for! 😎🎃☠️🖤

30/10/2023

Stay safe and spooky!

30/10/2023

30/10/2023

Who's ready for this Houlton Halloween staple tomorrow? This year, the theme is 'Back to the Future' and we can't wait to time travel to this epic event!

30/10/2023

Don't forget to vote for your favorite spooky spirit! Our local bars and restaurants have concocted some seriously delicious drinks for you to try!

Participating locations:

Bastions Tavern
Downunder Sports Pub
Houlton Elks Lodge #835
Rise And Shine
The Shire Ale House

Click on the link below to tell us which spooky drink got your spine (and tastebuds) tingling!
https://forms.gle/AMgK3FaENL5cQ5Ns6
Check out the video to see the 2023 Spooky Spirits! 👻🎃🌙🍸🍹
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA0jczdtVV0

Local pubs will go head-to-head in a thrilling competition to create the spookiest, tastiest, and most visually stunning Halloween cocktails. You’ll witness ...

28/10/2023

Voting has begun for the All Shires' Eve Spooky Spirits Showdown! Head over to your local pubs to try their haunting creations.

Participating locations:
Bastions TavernBastions Tavern
Downunder Sports Pub
Houlton Elks Lodge #835
Rise And Shine
The Shire Ale House

Voting goes from October 28th - 31st. Click on the link below to tell us which spooky drink got your spine (and tastebuds) tingling!

https://forms.gle/AMgK3FaENL5cQ5Ns6

Check out the video to see the 2023 Spooky Spirits! 👻🎃🌙🍸🍹
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA0jczdtVV0

Local pubs will go head-to-head in a thrilling competition to create the spookiest, tastiest, and most visually stunning Halloween cocktails. You’ll witness ...

28/10/2023

Head over to the The Shire Ale House today for some tasty treats. There are still tickets for sale for their vampire/werewolf mixer mystery dinner tonight. You don’t want to miss it!

Spots still available for our Mystery Dinner Fangs and Claws. We will also be open to the public in the Gameshop with a condensed food menu and drink service.
Come try one of our spooky drinks. The Vampires Feast (Strawberry Cosmo), the Zombie Blood (Apple Cider, Bannana, Rum, Spices) and the Ghost Breaker (Sour Apple, Orange, Pomegranate).
We also have Blantons Bourbon available. This is a lottery pick and limited availability so give it a try. Makes an amazing Old Fashioned.

28/10/2023

Frightful Films is still on! Be sure to head over to the Temple Theatre today. They have two free showing as well!

There's is LOTS going on at the Temple Theatre today! We had a HUGE crowd for Five Nights at Freddy's last night and expect that to continue throughout the weekend. We've also got Taylor Swift playing today and FREE SHOWINGS of The Addams Family and The Shining TONIGHT!

It looks like a great day to bring the family out to a movie!

28/10/2023

Hello again! We have been communicating with HPD tonight to see if we can continue with the candy crawl tomorrow.

This is the update from the Houlton Police Department:

“The transition and planning has been put in
place for next weekend. We are now at the 12th hour and considering the confusion and work behind the scenes to postpone, it’s prudent to stay the course for next weekend.”

The Houlton Police Department has worked hard to make sure this event is as safe as it is fun. We are still on for next weekend and Spooktacular is as well. No one will be missing out. We will see you next weekend!! 🎃🎃🎃