Annual Halloween-fall event to offer fun for the whole family
All ages are invited to a holiday event tonight that has been running for nearly two decades.
The annual Halloween/Fall Family Candy and Costume Carnival will be held on Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Community House on Sanibel. Young and old are welcome to come in costume, with carnival games, hay rides and more for the children. Admission to the event is just one bag of candy.
“It’s one of the best intergenerational activities that we do,” Teresa Riska-Hall, executive director of The Community House, said. “From little ones all the way to the elderly, everyone dresses up.”
The idea for the event stemmed from Salli Kirkland and her daughter, Vanessa Flynt.
Kirkland explained that the first one was held in 2001, after the Sept. 11 attack.
“Everybody was scared. People were worried about being out on the streets,” she said, noting that a mosquito-carried virus was also raising concerns at the time. “Those two things made us think maybe we should do something indoors.”
In addition, The Community House was looking to host a Halloween or holiday event.
“It seemed like the right place to be,” Kirkland said.
“After the first year, it became apparent how nice it was for the whole family,” she added, estimating that about 200 people attended. “Every year we’ve built on how to make it a whole experience.”
Jan Remmel, this year’s event co-chair with Sanibel Community Association Board Member Darrin Grotian, explained that one activity is an ongoing, informal costume contest. Festival volunteers roam the crowd and give tickets to youth wearing top-notch costumes, which can be redeemed for a prize.
There are also a number of carnival-style games for children to participate in.
Attendees can try their hand at the bean bag toss, ring toss and disc toss games, along with a type of board game, finding marked winning lollipops in another game, and catching a ring on a hook.
“Also, there is the M&M taste challenge,” Remmel said.
Kirkland explained that she and Flynt came up with the games.
“We just tried to figure out different kind of carnival games we had seen,” she said. “They were all homemade – some of them were educational, and some were just fun.”
“Our goal was really to make it so the kids got a lot of stuff,” Kirkland added.
Remmel echoed that, explaining that simply playing a game gets one a piece of candy.
“Everybody gets candy from booth to booth,” she said. “If they win the game, they get extra candy and tickets.”
The tickets can be redeemed for prizes at the on-site prize booth.
“There’s just little trinkets,” Remmel said of the selections. “A few flashing necklaces, glow-in-the-dark vampire teeth, Jacks – toys and trinkets.”
There will also be holiday crafts set up for the children.
Outside, there will be a hay ride from the grounds, across the street to the BIG ARTS parking lot and back to The Community House. There will be a quick stop at BIG ARTS for a staff-performed skit.
“It’s Halloween-themed,” she said.
The dining area will serve up $2 meals, along with popcorn and refreshments.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to stop by.
“It’s something fun and entertaining for the kids,” Remmel said. “It’s a safe place for families to bring their children to trick-or-treat and have fun on Halloween night.”
Kirkland echoed that.
“It’s a really easy way to take your kids trick-or-treating without having them go up and down stairs or through a neighborhood, plus it’s a great way to meet other people,” she said.
Island vacationers have been known to bring costumes and attend.
“It’s kids from the school, kids that live on Sanibel, kids that live off Sanibel, and visitors to the islands,” Kirkland said.
This year’s event sponsors include Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Friends Who Care, Judy Montclare family, Billy’s Rentals, The Island Cow and Kiwanis Club of Sanibel-Captiva.
For more information, call 239-472-2155 or visit sanibelcommunityhouse.net.
The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way.