Garelochhead Hallowee'en Rocks with almost 200 people

Hallowe'en Rocks 2024 was a free community event in partnership between Route 81 Youth Project, Centre 81 and Helensburgh and Lomond Young Carers.

They set a new record with 197 people attending after Route 81 spent the past month repainting 600 stones for the event to hide them throughout the village.

On Sunday, they opened the doors to the community and provided a celebration with a bouncy castle, arts and crafts and hot dogs.

Hallowe'en Rocks was a great success

Hallowe'en Rocks was a great success

Arts and crafts

Getting the rocks prepped

But the main focus was the Treat Table - where rocks could be exchanged for sweets.

Organisers said: "Without the commitment, energy and dedication of volunteers this community led event would not have been possible.

"In total six adult volunteers and 19 youth volunteers participated, with even the staff team volunteering their time too."

Preparing the rocks

Route 81 youth volunteers setting up

Some of the rock hiders

Rock painters

Arts and crafts

Ayleigh, 14, one of the Route 81 youth volunteers involved in the setting up and running of the event, said: "My favourite part was seeing how happy the little ones were when they came into Hallowe'en Rocks and saw the treats and the bouncy castle.

"Everyone was really nice which made volunteering a lot easier than I thought it would be. I volunteer because it is really good to help people and make their day better."

Trading stones for tickets

Trading tickets for treats

Some of the R81 youth volunteer team exhausted at the end of the day

Katie and Michelle, development co-ordinators for Centre 81 and Route 81, said: "It was really lovely to see so many people from the community enjoying this local event.

"This event was started during the Covid pandemic when restrictions prevented an indoor gathering. The first event took place in the boatshed with all the Covid guidelines followed - so it was just a bit different to todays event.

"The young people of Route 81 came up with the initial idea and over the years Hallowe'en Rocks has evolved with Centre 81 and Helensburgh and Lomond Young Carers becoming involved.

Happy rock hunters rewarded

It took several weeks to paint the rocks

Chilling at Hallowe'en Rocks

"Community feedback has also shaped the current event and this year it was amazing to see us gain a new record with 197 people coming along."

But there are still stones hidden in Garelochhead. If any are found, please return them to Centre 81 or Route 81 to ensure there are enough for next year's fun.