An iconic Subiaco street will transform into a Halloween wonderland this Saturday, with thousands of ghosts, witches and superheroes expected to land on Gloster Street for one of Perth’s most-loved community traditions.

What started as a neighbour celebration has grown into a spectacular annual event, with Gloster Street residents going all out to decorate their homes and hand out lollies to eager trick-or-treaters.

But behind the spooky decorations and sweet treats is a heart-warming community effort to keep the Halloween magic alive.

Gloster Street resident Amy Hegvold has spent years rallying the community and local businesses to donate lollies to participating households after discovering how much some homes spend each year.

The donations aim to ease the financial burden on residents who transform their homes for thousands of children to enjoy.

“My family and I have been trick-or-treating on Gloster Street for the past six years,” Ms Hegvold said.

“After seeing all the effort and expense the residents go to providing a fun community event for our children, we decided to do something to help them cover the costs involved in the day.

“I know some people who spend hundreds or possibly thousands on the event.”

What began with about 100 bags of donated lollies has grown into more than 400 this year, with local businesses even getting behind the initiative.

“Last year Coles Local Shenton Park donated and this year The Good Grocer Shenton Park kindly donated. These contributions obviously make a big difference,” Ms Hegvold said.

Each year, Ms Hegvold delivers letters to Gloster Street residents inviting them to register their homes before putting a call out on Facebook for community donations.

Ms Hegvold’s children help collect and count the donations before the family loads up their car and delivers the treats to participating households.

“The residents are always incredibly grateful to the community for all of their efforts and the donations just allow the Halloween fun to continue for a little bit longer,” she said.

“It’s a pretty chaotic afternoon, but it’s great fun and a fantastic community event for everyone to be involved with.”

But among the festivities is a particularly special tradition honouring a little boy who loved Halloween more than anything.

The annual celebrations also help raise money for the Hero Hunter Foundation, founded in memory of eight-year-old Hunter Madden, who died in September 2021 after fighting acute lymphoblastic leukaemia for five years.

Hunter’s mother and Hero Hunter’s founder Kate Bettenay said Halloween had always held a special place in her son’s heart.

“Halloween was Hunter’s favourite day of the year, in front of his birthday and Christmas,” she said.

The foundation, founded in 2022, supports families impacted by childhood cancer and blood disorders, with the fundraiser helping raise both money and awareness for its work.

The family has a deep connection to the Street, where Hunter’s grandparents live in the family home, which is famous among trick-or-treaters for its giant dropping spider.

Ms Bettenay said the event had grown into an extraordinary spectacle, with an estimated 2000 to 4000 children passing through in just 90 minutes.

“It’s more crowded than the Royal Show, I’d say, and the kids are just ecstatic, they’re so excited,” she said.

“It is one of my favourite days of the year, without a doubt. Just seeing the little tiny ones all dressed up.”

The foundation will be collecting cash and EFTPOS donations on the night, alongside selling merchandise including hoodies, hats, T-shirts and children’s superhero capes.

With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, which won’t happen again until 2037, Ms Bettaney is hoping the community will turn out in force for yet another unforgettable day.

For Ms Hegvold, the generosity of neighbours and local businesses is what makes the tradition so special.

“We’d love the tradition to continue for as long as possible so if the donations help to achieve this, we’re happy to continue doing it,” she said.

And for Ms Bettenay, amid the thousands of costumes, decorations and excited children, the night will always be about remembering her son.

“It’s a beautiful, beautiful day and a beautiful way of honouring my special boy,” she said.

Hero Hunter Foundation is also now calling on corporate sponsorship.

“We are wanting to put out a call to action this year for corporate sponsorship,” Ms Bettenay said.

“If anyone would like to support the families on the ward (at Perth Children’s Hospital), and families in their homes we are looking for corporate sponsorship.”

City of Subiaco mayor David McMullen said that for Subi residents, Gloster Street had become the place to be for Halloween over a number of years.

“It’s quite remarkable what these local celebrations have become, and it’s been entirely community driven,” he said.

“This year, the City of Subiaco is getting into the Halloween spirit, with our inaugural Spookiaco celebration featuring giant glowing monsters in Market Square Park, haunted laneways along Rokeby Road, ghostly walking tours and the Subi ‘Fright’ Market on Saturday evening.

“Local businesses are getting involved too. Expect tricks, treats and plenty of entertainment for all ages in Subiaco this Halloween.”

Organisers are encouraging families to park away from Gloster Street to help keep children safe.