LAC LA BICHE - As the cooler days of autumn return, people look to escape to the indoors for fun and exciting activities.
For those seeking a frighteningly good time – but who aren’t afraid of clowns – the Stuart MacPherson Public Library in Lac La Biche will be hosting a Carnevil-themed escape room event on Sept. 26 and 27 from 4-8 p.m.
Laney Smith, a programming coordinator for Lac La Biche County Libraries, said there will be four escape rooms set up inside of the library for the two-evening event, which is aptly named ‘Escape from Carnevil’. Those who dare to enter these complex and forbidding puzzles where everything is not as it appears will face not only a series of challenges, but will be doing so while encountering creepy and evil-looking clowns.
While the escape rooms may be fun, according to Smith, they also have a skill-building component. She stated that they help people to become better at solving problems and learning teamwork.
“There are four puzzles created by the talented library staff of Lac La Biche County Libraries who have spent months preparing this amazing program that offers a unique and engaging way to enhance problem-solving skills, foster team building, and improve communication,” Smith explained, adding that when patrons have completed the puzzle in each room, they move onto the next room.
Escape rooms have been hosted by the Lac La Biche-based library for the past eight years, with each one having its own distinct and unique theme. Quite often, these themes are inspired by popular culture and have included “Secret Tomb”, “The Infection”, and “Alice in Wonderland”.
For this year, organizers decided to go with a truly chilling theme, one based on the 1998 arcade and video game of the same name featuring killer clowns that is often used as a premise in haunted houses and other spooky-themed events.
Due to the complexity of the puzzles that participants must solve in order to get through the series of rooms, Smith continued, this year’s free Carnevil escape room event is for those aged 10 and over.
“This will likely be difficult for anyone younger than 10, although it will be a fun and rewarding experience for those who do attend,” she said.
Smith said while the escape room experience is free of charge, those who would like to participate are required to sign up beforehand and can register on the Lac La Biche County Libraries website.