The Epic Te Puke Ghost Story Treat Trail is set to spook out the town on Monday, October 31, as Te Puke retailers, shoppers and residents join in the fun to win EPIC dollars.

Everyone is being encouraged to dress up as a ghost and follow the trail around the main Te Puke shopping area looking for digital ghosts.

The trail features local ghost stories written as part of a writing contest run by Epic Te Puke. Each business hosting a ghost is also hosting a local ghost story entry.

'Bring your phone, and be into win $200 EPIC dollars when you scan and collect five digital ghosts,” says Epic Te Puke's Rebecca Larsen. 'Read the stories while you Trick or Treat for a spooktacular Halloween.”

Digital ghosts

The digital ghosts will be hiding in the stories behind QR codes for people to collect and be in to win $200 EPIC Dollars.

'We have loads of excellent ghost stories now loaded onto our TePukeOnline.nz – blog.”
Local author Piper Mejia, who specialises in horror and sci-fi genres, is judging the stories that will be displayed around the trail.

Piper is an advocate for New Zealand writers and literature and is a co-founder of Young NZ Writers – a non-profit dedicated to providing opportunities for young NZ writers.

'We're excited that Piper is helping us judge the ghost story entries for the Treat Trail,” says Rebecca. 'Well done to everyone who has entered. All stories will be on the trail, on Monday, October 31 with ‘digital ghosts' to collect.”

Haunted hall

Adding to the Halloween delight on the night, EPIC Te Puke has been collaborating with Andy Gowland-Douglas from Tapuika Group, aka Halloween Queen, and Cathy Dale from WPIC Te Puke and Te Puke War Memorial Hall to deck out the local hall for Halloween.

'We're so excited about this! Enter the Haunted Te Puke War Memorial Hall if you dare,” says Rebecca.

Andy Gowland-Douglas from Tapuika Group, aka Halloween Queen with Rebecca Larsen from EPIC Te Puke, and Cathy Dale from WPIC Te Puke and Te Puke War Memorial Hall. Photo: Supplied.

The Te Puke Halloween Treat Trail will start at Nordic Mobility and run around town heading toward Oxford St, crossing and then back to Marigolds Cafe. Spot prizes have been donated by Countdown and McDonalds.

Epic Te Puke Ghost Story Treat Trail runs 3pm-5pm on October 31. Start at the Te Puke Library and follow the trail. Read the stories while you trick or treat. Costume theme: Ghosts.