First off: the month of October is in full swing, the leaves are changing, the weather is cooling, and you may be pulling on a cozy sweater and curling up with an Autumn or Halloween read.
If you are looking for some inspiration for that thrilling or seasonal read. Why not participate in our monthly reading challenge and let us know how you're doing.
October’s choices may have you selecting a book set in Autumn, or with a supernatural element, or even with a resident cat within its pages.
And we always welcome you to stop in at River Bookshop for a “spell” as our window displays are sure to inspire.
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With October comes Halloween! And while Halloween brings you TRICKS, River Bookshop provides you the TREATS.
And that is especially true this All Hallows Eve weekend,
There is no need to wait for River Lights to have some family fun,
Come visit River Bookshop at the Festival of Frights!
There will be Pumpkins, Costumes and a Spooky Movie or two, to entertain the most timid of Witches and the most brazen of Ghouls.
River Bookshop and the Festival of Frights activities can be found below, as well as on our Facebook event page.
“Festival of Frights” Poetry Contest
Contest Categories:
Junior Writers: Ages 5-12
Teen Writers: Ages 13-19
River Writers: Ages 20+
Submissions can be emailed or dropped off at the bookshop.
Email: info@riverbookshop.com
Deadline: October 25th
Only one submission per person.
Winners will be announced by Marty Gervais Oct 27th and invited to perform their work Saturday Oct 29 at the Creepy Corner during the movie intermission.
Thursday October 27th: Reading by Marty Gervais
Eccentric, unexpected, and told by Essex County’s most popular historian, Ghost Road and Other Forgotten Stories of Windsor is a different side of Essex County. One you’ve never seen before…in daylight!
Local Author Marty Gervais joins us in The Hole in the Wall at 6:30 to present his book, along with other stories brought back from the grave.
We encourage you to RSVP at info@riverbookshop.com if you know you’ll be joining us.
Children's Nook Activities
Throughout the Festival of Frights festivities, come join us at River Bookshop to add some creativity at our Halloween Colouring Station in our Children's Nook.
Children of all ages are welcome to show their crayon artistry on our Halloween Paper Mural, and are welcome to add some festive doodles of their own.
Pumpkin Carving Contest
Show us your Halloween traditions, originality and skill by entering into the Festival of Frights Pumpkin Carving Contest.
Your pre-carved pumpkins can be submitted for entry between 12:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday October 29, at River Bookshop.
Throughout the Festival activities the community can vote for their favourite pumpkin by ballot at the Bookshop.
Contest winners will be announced at River Bookshop at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday October 30th.
Pumpkins must be retrieved by their creators by 4 p.m. on Sunday October 30th.
Amherstburg Public School will be joining us for a Musical Performance at 1 p.m. on Saturday October 29th.
The Uke Club will play the song "Someday" from Zombies, and the Grade 3/4 class will entertain with a singing of a song called Jus d'orange a la fraise.
Character Contest & Turn The Page Parade: at 2 p.m. on Saturday October 29th.
We invite you to register for our Halloween Character Parade and Contest. Meet at the Bookshop and parade to participating businesses for trick or treats, ending at the Creepy Corner where Best Literary Costumes will be judged by our staff.
Please register at info@riverbookshop.com to join us for trick or treats!
Festival of Frights - Double Movie Feature
Saturday October 29th from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Our highlight of the night! Come join us for an outdoor movie night, bring your blankets and chairs and attend this free showing of two Halloween Classics. Outside in the Creepy Corner behind River Bookshop.
6:30 Movie: Hocus Pocus -
This Disney favourite! A curious youngster moves to historic Salem, where he struggles to fit in before awakening a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17th century.
Rated: PG
8:10 Intermission - Halloween Poetry Readings by our Poetry Contest Winners
8:30 Movie: Ghostbusters -
An 80’s classic! Featuring three parapsychologists who set up shop as a unique ghost removal service in New York City, attracting frightened yet skeptical customers.
Rated: PG
Movies will be shown in the Festivals’ Creepy Corner (behind River Bookshop), where treats will be available for purchase by the participating businesses.
River Bookshop is excited to be partnering with:
Evelyn’s Candy House, Downtown Espresso Cafe, The Panetteria, The Richmond Popcorn Company, and White Woods to bring you the Festival of Frights at the “Creepy Corner” of Richmond and Ramsay Streets.
Rain Date: Sunday October 30, 2022
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Sunday October 30: Story Time - 1:00 pm
Every Sunday River Bookshop hosts young readers for a story time. For Halloween we are excited to welcome Opera Singer/Actress Rebecca Mickle as our guest reader. Bring your family to join us for some fun and entertaining halloween holiday tales.
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Festival Activities List
Tuesday, October 25
Poetry Submissions Due
Thursday, October 27
Marty Gervais Book Presentation
Poetry Winners Announcement
Saturday, October 29
Pumpkin Contest
Colouring Mural
Musical Performance
Costume Contest
Movie Night
Poetry Reading
Sunday, October 30
Colouring Mural
Pumpkin Contest Announcement
Story Time
We hope you'll come join us for some Halloween activities, and invite your friends on Facebook. See you then!
The River Bookshop Team