London

Want to see cute? These little Londoners are in the Halloween spirit

The word scary may come to mind when thinking about Halloween, except when you're at London's Central Library. Then the word is cute

There were a lot of firsts at the London library Halloween celebration

Lynzee Barnett, with her family dressed up as Super Mario characters for Halloween.
Lynzee Barnett, with her family dressed up as Super Mario characters for Halloween. (Tiffany Mongu/CBC News)

The word scary may come to mind when thinking about Halloween, except when you're at London's Central Library. Then the word is cute

Dozens of small kids and their parents gathered Thursday morning sporting costumes that would make even the most hardened witch smile.

There were a lot of firsts at this Halloween event, including families celebrating the costume and candy custom for the first time.

Sidhath Bansal holding his baby boy, Aariv Bansal, as they celebrate Halloween for the very first time in Canada, alongside his wife Rajni Singla.
Sidhath Bansal holding his baby boy, Aariv Bansal, as they celebrate Halloween for the very first time in Canada, alongside his wife Rajni Singla. (Tiffany Mongu/CBC News)

Originally from India, Sidhath Bansal and his wife were at the library with their baby boy Aariv Bansal, with the family eager to enjoy the festivities and learn how it's done.

"We really want to get our child exposed to the culture and the festivals which this country Canada [has], since he's born in Canada, " Bansal said. 

"We just want him to feel this thrill and enjoy the experience which other kids are having."

Immaculate Amalu is from Nigeria and arrived in Canada this year. She says everything is new for her and her daughter Kamsi, 3, who dressed up as a fairy. 

Immaculate Amalu, mother of three-year-old Kamsi, smiling together after some fun at the bubble costume party.
Immaculate Amalu, mother of three-year-old Kamsi, smiling together after some fun at the bubble costume party. (Tiffany Mongu/ CBC News)

"I love the decorations, the preparations… The importance of it to the people. It's just lovely celebrating it, and my daughter is just so excited," Amalu said. 

And it's not just the children who were excited. First-time parents were also tickled to out with their babies dressed in costumes. 

"I'm just excited to celebrate Halloween for the first time with my daughter, she's 9-months-old," said Heidi Gowd with her baby girl, Jasmine dressed as a princess. 

Heidi Gowd and her 9-month-old daughter, Jasmine, are celebrating Halloween for the first time, at the London Central Library.
Heidi Gowd and her 9-month-old daughter, Jasmine, are celebrating Halloween for the first time, at the London Central Library. (Tiffany Mongu/CBC News)

Chris Stevens' three-year-old daughter, Charlie, dressed up as Snow White for the day. He said coming to the library for the activities is great for the kids.

"It's a nice sense of community, everyone's involved, it's fun," said Stevens. "They get to use their brain. It's not all candy, it's pencils and erasers, and things that are a little more stimulating."

Chras Stevens and his three-year-old daughter, Charlie, dressed as Snow White at London Central Library's annual Halloween costume party.
Chras Stevens and his three-year-old daughter, Charlie, dressed as Snow White at London Central Library's annual Halloween costume party. (Tiffany Mongu/CBC News)

Lynzee Barnett, a mom of two, took the day off to dedicate to Halloween. She and her family dressed up as Super Mario characters and she says Halloween is a special day for them.

"Being a parent and getting to be the magic and see the magic through their eyes, today's a really special day," Barnet said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tiffany Mongu is a Congolese-Canadian, she's previously worked with news organizations such as Global News Toronto, Radio-Canada Toronto and Windsor, as well as CBC News Kitchener-Waterloo and London. For more news and updates, follow her Twitter account @mongumnews.