The Grinch stole Christmas, but many local residents believe the City of Orillia is trying to steal Halloween.
As a result, a petition has been started to save a beloved Halloween display on Martin Drive — one that yearly attracts many visitors.
In late summer, in each of the past four years, Natalie McGregor and her family have constructed a life-size pirate ship on their property. After months of hard work, the ship is ultimately equipped with fog-blowing cannons, skeletons, and other Halloween decorations by late October.
"It's been all over our yard," McGregor said. "It's been right by the road, it's been at the front, and we never had any calls or complaints from bylaw" officials.
In mid-August, only a few days into this year's build, McGregor said bylaw, building inspection, and building division officials told her to halt construction.
"We were provided with some parameters to work within, and we made changes," she explained. "Then they came back again and said it needs to come down."
Last year, the McGregors gave away more than 500 treat bags to trick-or-treaters. This year, they were planning on turning the pirate ship into a food drive for The Sharing Place Food Centre.
"I anticipated that we would be able to collect a large amount of donations to take to the food bank," McGregor said. "If we don't have the ship, the community is going to lose out on that opportunity."
She is doing everything possible to keep the pirate ship for the Halloween season, including starting an online petition.
"There have been a lot of comments and interest," she said. "We currently have over 900 signatures in less than 24 hours."
The petition had more than 1,300 signatures by the time of this article's publication.
McGregor plans on taking the petition to the city to ask for a temporary exemption for the pirate ship. She says people in her neighbourhood are pleading with her to not take it down.
"It's a nightly October tradition for a lot of people to come see the ship," she said. "Kids and adults look forward to seeing it completed in its entirety on Halloween night."
Without the pirate ship, she says it won't feel like Halloween for a lot of people in the community.
"I'd like to see this through because it brings a lot of smiles to the kids' faces," she said. "We want to keep this Halloween tradition going because it's as important to the community as it is to us."
McGregor fears what her story might mean for other Halloween displays in town.
"I hope this isn't setting a precedent. We'd be known as the town of no Halloween," she said.
Melissa Gowanlock, the city's manager of communications, says bylaw officers investigated the structure after receiving numerous complaints.
"The structure in question is not a typical Halloween decoration, but rather a large built structure that must comply with the city's zoning bylaws and the provincial Building Code," she said in an email.
"The city's priority is ensuring all structures, even temporary ones, meet Building Code and zoning bylaw standards to protect public health, safety, and welfare. Compliance helps prevent accidents, fire risks, and other hazards."
Gowanlock says ensuring structures are safe and compliant reduces potential liability for both property owners and the municipality. Without proper approval, there is an increased risk to all involved, including visitors to the structure, she said.
"The city applies Building Code and zoning bylaws consistently to all properties, ensuring that everyone abides by the same rules for fairness and transparency," she said.
She says the city recognizes the community's enthusiasm for the pirate ship and McGregor's desire to contribute to The Sharing Place.
"We support community initiatives but must prioritize the well-being of all residents and ensure compliance of legislation," she said.
There are generally no legislative requirements for regular Halloween decorations as long as they are safe and do not obstruct sidewalks, Gowanlock says.
"However, if you are erecting a structure, whether permanent or temporary, it's always a good idea to check with the city to ensure it meets necessary requirements," she said.
