Laurier’s CARE Lab hosted a free Halloween market to support local youth on Friday, October 30, 2026.
The Halloween Family Market Fair at Laurier’s Brantford campus collected donations of personal hygiene products and small winter clothing for youth and child agencies.
“We like to host outreach activities to bring together community partners at Laurier and build relationships with them,” said Danielle Law, Director of the Child and Adolescent Research and Education Lab, known as the CARE Lab.
Law mentioned that it was the first time the lab had run the event, with about 30 vendors, including local artists, authors and other creatives.
“We have a lot of really strong local talent in Brantford and strong authors and artists, and I think this is an opportunity for them to share some of the things they have created and some of the things they have made with the general community,” said Law.
According to Law, the lab worked with the Lunar Webb Vendor Market, hosted by Veronica Webb and Joshua Wall, to connect with vendors and invite them to the event.
Children dressed in costumes played small games, collected free treats, and took pictures with Midas, Laurier’s Golden Hawk mascot and Marc Proulx, who performs as Marco the Clown and made balloon animals for children. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre also joined the event where he briefly spoke and took pictures with vendors and attendees.
“Totally satisfied. This is better than we expected,” said Law. “I’m so grateful to be part of this community, and that everyone is enjoying themselves, enjoying the space and time together. It’s a big surprise that people showed up and are enjoying themselves. I hope to do it again next year.”
