Party by the Lake

Held by the Whitby Lake on the 31st October every year. A safe family alternative to "trick or treat". Fun, games and food and orgainized by the combined churches of Whitby.

Party by the Lake (PBTL) is run as a safe alternative as opposed to having Children walk the streets doing Trick-or-treat. It is a community event designed to appeal to the whole family and is always held on October 31st (5.30pm to 8.30pm) which is traditionally Halloween night.

It was started in Whitby by Whitby Lakeside Baptist Church in 1999 but since 2007, has been run by the combined three churches in Whitby, Whitby Lakeside Baptist, The Anchor, and St Mary’s Anglican. Our goal is to have a family friendly alternative to Halloween and hence have a positive impact in our local and surrounding community.

Attendance is typically between 2000 and 3000 people. It is held ‘by the Lake’ in Whitby between the Whitby Lakeside Baptist Church on Discovery Drive and the Whitby Library. Some activities are also run in the church. For those that wish to take things more leisurely a lounge is set up in the church overlooking the activities with free tea and coffee available. A large number of range of activities exist which appeal to a wide age range. All activities are free thanks to support from Porirua City Council, various local businesses and the three churches. Activities include Bouncy Castles, Bungy Slide, Merry-go-round, mechanical surfboard, crazy golf, Bungy run, face painting and numerous other things to do. During the evening, lollies and balloons and a few other items are also given away to attendees. A local dance group also put on a half hour show during the night. Food is also available; for a small cost including sausages, chips, candy floss, popcorn. A coffee cart, Donut cart and various other commercial food outlets are also present for those that wish. Parking for the event is in the surrounding area but overflows into nearby Adventure Park.