Costume exchange returns for fifth year

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Five years ago, Carmen Erison, assistant director of library services with the Strathmore Municipal Library, was shopping for a Halloween costume when she fell victim to sticker shock.
Her experience led to the organization of a Halloween costume exchange, allowing residents to trade in their old costumes in exchange for another.
Now in its fifth year, the event continues to grow in popularity and size, and just two years ago, close to 120 costumes were exchanged.
“This is one I’m very proud of,” Erison said. “I know that Halloween costumes can be quite expensive… and I realized the investment that families have to go into this time of year, and often those kids are only going to wear those costumes once.
“I thought this is a way to give back to the community, help families in need, in an exchange for costumes for their children and themselves.”
Last year when the Strathmore Lambert Centre – the library’s current home – underwent construction, staff worried about keeping their programs alive in a space less than one-third the size. The Wheatland Society of Arts stepped up and housed the costume exchange in 2017. Now in their new facility, library staff is dusting off the old boxes and bringing costumes out of storage for the first time in the new location.
The library is already taking donations until Oct. 12. Those dropping off items receive a ticket to be used for the exchange on Oct. 13. Those with no costumes to exchange have an opportunity to purchase a costume at the event from 6 to 7 p.m. for a donation – usually $2.
The annual Halloween costume exchange will take place on Oct. 13 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Strathmore Municipal Library.