It took two Forerunner station wagon and hatchback loads to get the bags of costumes to Janet Dundas's house.
Once there, the mounds of clothing filled her sitting room and spilled out onto the lawn. Then the sorting and washing began.
"Really, I just want it out of my living room," Dundas said as she looked over the sprawling mass of hats, dresses and suits.
That day will come on Saturday, Oct. 15, when Between Shifts Theatre clears out its closets in a fundraising costume sale. Dundas has been busy getting the treasures that were held in the theatre's lock-up ready for sale.
On top of that, she's also in the midst of sewing 50 new outfits of the theatre's upcoming production of Dickens' A Christmas Carol - the beneficiary of the fundraiser.
"It's going to be a big production," Dundas said of the local staging of the classic tale. "So there are more costs."
Between Shifts is the volunteer company behind some of Squamish's smash hits - Garry Plotter and the Pantominer's Stone, Darth and Luke's Most Excellent Adventure and The Princess Bride. The Dickens holiday favourite will run from Nov. 24 to 27 and Dec. 1 to 4. Tickets are available at Billie's Bouquet on Cleveland Avenue, the Portico Gallery on Pemberton Avenue and the Adventure Centre.
Time is quickly closing in, Dundas noted, as she has a month and a half left to finish the new costumes. But for the next week, she will continue to dust off the old garments in time for the jumbo clear-out.
"If you can't find your Halloween outfit at the sale, you are just not trying hard enough," Dundas said, before she pointed out the giant, gold genie hat, storm trooper armour and a green octopus outfit in among the jumble of items.
Most the attire is sized for adults; however, there are a few children's costumes, Dundas said. The sale will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Squamish Arts Council building at 37950 Cleveland Ave. A costumier will be on hand to guide shoppers through the creative process of selecting a unique outfit. For more information visit www.betweenshiftstheatre.com.
