It's nice that the Toronto Blue Jays can win the World Series. The catch for many families and baseball fans is the opportunity to see it happen.
And for those souls who sacrifice watching Game 6 for the sake of entertaining their children, beware of Mother Nature. In some parts of the country it will not behave very well.
A combination of bad weather and the possibility of Canada's only professional baseball team winning its first championship in 32 years could force tough decisions about Halloween celebrations tonight.
This isn't the first time the World Series has fallen on Halloween, but the Blue Jays did not play in those games.
The Jays last played in the World Series in 1993, but the streak ended on October 23 when they beat the Philadelphia Phillies. The year before, they won the series against the Atlanta Braves on October 24th.
Tonight Game 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers will tip off at 8:00 pm ET in Toronto.
Game night on fear night
Venues that were planning Halloween parties are now scrambling to prepare for a doubleheader.
Among them is Barbara McPhee. A Toronto woman is going all out for Halloween by transforming her downtown sports bar, The Cat's Cradle Sports and Spirits, into a scene straight out of a movie. Tales from the Crypt and holding karaoke.
But as McPhee told The Canadian Press, she'll have to push it all back this year.
“I am made for Halloween, and my husband is made for sports. So this day is a lot like a mega-merger of him and me,” she quipped.
She'll take her three kids from 6 to 7 p.m., hand out candy from 7 to 8, and then drive to the bar, which she said takes about 45 minutes with traffic.
After the game they will return to their planned spooky programs.
At Joe Kool's Sports Bar in London, Ont., owner Mike Smith is expecting a packed house of World Series spectators and Halloween revelers in addition to the usual Friday night crowd.
But it's a bit of a tricky situation, Smith said. Joe Cool's is usually a haven for fans of the Detroit Tigers, whom the Jays beat to reach the World Series.
However, he said it will be unique to see a bar full of people dressed in suits and cheering for Toronto.
“I don’t know how to make a Blue Jay costume for Halloween, but it will definitely be different from other nights.”
Toronto bars are gearing up for a very busy Friday night as the Jays are just one win away from winning the World Series, coupled with Halloween celebrations. CBC's Mercedes Gaztambide spoke with business owners.
Scary time zones, scary forecasts
People in Eastern Canada may have an easier time juggling the holidays thanks to their time zone, but living on the West Coast means the game starts at 5:00 pm PT, which is when many families start hitting the streets.
The weather in many places in Canada can make your mood even worse.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued warnings and statements for heavy rain and strong winds across eastern Ontario and Quebec, as well as throughout the Maritimes. Warnings are also in effect across much of British Columbia.
Up to 80mm of rain could fall in Metro Vancouver; About 60 could be seen in Montreal.
But wind and rain won't necessarily keep ghosts and goblins indoors.
“We've spent previous Halloweens where it's been wet, so I'm not too scared,” said 11-year-old Malka Detcheberry, who told CBC News she plans to prank Louis Pasteur, the inventor of the first rabies vaccine.
Ten-year-old Lilia Podlog is not worried either. “We have an umbrella for Halloween,” she said. “Maybe we can attach some glow sticks to it and make it glow a little.”
But Tina Wentzell, owner of the Montreal-based website West Island Mommies, has some tips for parents on how to keep kids dry while still trying to have fun.
“You can buy clear ponchos at the store so their costumes can still be seen. Waterproof footwear such as rubber boots or boots. Keep your feet dry,” she said. “Gather an emergency kit. Take a Ziploc. [bag]. Throw a few extra socks in there.”
There's no sugarcoating it: the weather in southern Quebec on Halloween will be severe, with lots of rain and wind. But that doesn't stop some of Montreal's tiniest creatures.
Halloween in November?
There are some communities in the Maritimes that have moved Halloween celebrations to Saturday evening due to inclement weather conditions.
Major cities in southern New Brunswick, including Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John, are not letting the weather forecast interfere with Friday night celebrations.
But in the northern part of the province. Bathurst and Nouvelle-Acadie moved Halloween events, including door-knocking for candy, to Saturday evening, citing safety concerns.
“It's one thing to joke around with a little rain and cloudy weather, but when we're talking about significant amounts of rain and strong winds, we're talking about a completely different situation,” City of Bathurst communications manager Luke Fulham told CBC Radio. Information Morning Moncton.
“It only takes one injury for things to go wrong, that's one too many,” he said.
There were similar sentiments on Prince Edward Island, where Charlottetown, Cornwall and Stratford issued a joint statement Thursday morning recommending the Trick-or-Treat holiday be moved to Saturday due to the poor weather forecast.
The weather may be a little better in this part of the country on Saturday, but there is still a chance of showers.
And there's also a chance that any postponed plans for trick-or-treating or a costume party could come into conflict with baseball again.
If the Blue Jays don't win tonight, Game 7 will be played in Toronto on Saturday night.
Toronto is hopeful the Blue Jays can win their first World Series title in more than 30 years. A Game 6 or 7 win over Toronto and the Jays would lead to a victory over the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
