Adorable is the best way to describe the assortment of costumed children who come out each year for the Halloween Mini Monster Bash at the Okotoks Recreation Centre.
When it returns to the rec centre on Friday Oct. 28 it will be the first of the facility’s trio of Halloween-themed activities.
Janette Messer, Okotoks community programs team leader, said the bash, which runs from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., will be held in the gym and will include a variety of crafts, story time and playtime in the gym complete with a bouncy house.
A prime draw for the small children who participate in this annual Halloween happening is the goody bag they receive at the end. For Messer, however, it’s seeing the smiling young faces peering out from colorful getups.
“We get every variety of animal and every variety of ghost and goblin,” she said of the preschoolers’ costumes. “It’s very cute.”
There is a modest admission charge for the Mini Monster Bash, which is open to little ones up to six years of age and their parents. Space is limited so preregistration is required.
Pre-registration is also required for Halloween Howler: Family Jelly Bean Dance on Friday evening.
The howler is a throwback event designed to recapture the neighbourly sprit of community hall dances decades ago.
“It’s a dance for parents and children,” Messer explained. “There is really no limit to the age of the kids who can come, but it really is most suitable for those who are elementary school age.”
The family dance goes 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature costume contests and other opportunities for those who attend to win prizes. Halloween style treats will also be on hand.
“It’s good clean fun and that’s what we should be providing the kids in the community,” Messer said of the howler, which features an admission fee of $10 per family.
Once the party wraps teens will take over the recreation centre. Their Hallowscream Party and Friday Night Teen dance will keep the music going from 8:15 p.m. to 11 p.m. The cost is just $2 per person but food bank donations are also encouraged.
“It runs in conjunction with our Friday Teens Night,” Messer explained of the Hallowscream celebration. “We will have lights and a fog machine, it’s going to be a pretty great time.”
If teens don’t wish to participate in the dance they can go for a swim instead as the rec centre’s pools will be open.
Pre-registration for the Mini Monster bash and the Halloween Howler is being accepted at the rec centre’s client services desk. It can also be submitted on-line at netreg.okotoks.ca
For her part Messer said she is pleased her department can offer something for every age group on Friday Oct. 28 as a lead into Monday’s arrival of Halloween.
“We will be exhausted by the end of the day but it will be fun,” she said.
