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In good spooky spirits in Tonganoxie

By Shawn Linenberger - | Nov 6, 2015

Fall rains couldn’t dampen the spirits of youths Friday in downtown Tonganoxie.

Children and their families made their way to the annual Spooktacular event.

Though the rain prevented the showing of a movie outdoors and a few other activities, plenty of games still took place and local businesses still handed out piece after piece of candy.

Organizer Monica Gee, who with other members of Entrepreneurs Achieving Success Together put on the event, said there were some 25,000 pieces of candy donated for the event. Businesses also handed out their own candy for the event.

“It was huge success even though it was raining,” Gee said at Monday’s Tonganoxie City Council meeting.

There also was a skeleton contest in which youths had to visit various businesses throughout the week to “assemble” the skeletons. The effort started with high school students, but eventually got elementary school students and their parents involved. Gee said it helped give downtown businesses some more exposure.

“A lot of people didn’t know what those businesses were,” Gee said.

Organizers asked those attending the event to bring a canned good item to be donated to Good Shepherd Thrift Store. Gee said he was told about three cases of canned food were collected during the event.

In addition, the teal pumpkins were well-received, Gee said.

For youths whose diets don’t allow them to eat candy, there were teal pumpkins at businesses designating other items to be handed out to them.

At The Jewel on Main, a Hauntitorium welcomed youths for photos and a jaunt through the venue.

And at the Ratliff Drug Store, Whimsical Baloons made ghoulish balloon characters.

Youths won costume contests in various categories.

First place overall, with a $100 prize, went to youths in Ghostbusters attire.

JR Bundy, dressed as a knight in shining armor, won coolest costume and $25,while Kaylee Mathia and her Edward Scissorhands costume was named scariest costume. She also received $25.

For most original costume and $25, Lachlan Bond and Ava Bond won for their Flamenco dancer and bullfighter costumes. And Gentry Jones, in the big baby costume, won $25 for funniest costume.

Though youths got their fair share of candy, they also had the opportunity to play various games down Fourth Street.

More than 55 businesses and organizations participated in this year’s Spooktacular.

On Saturday, Tonganoxie Christian Church also had its annual Trunk or Treat from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the church parking lot.

And in McLouth, the community Halloween Party took place Saturday at the McLouth City Fire Department.

There also was a costume contest there with food being served and door prizes given out. The fire department and local businesses sponsored the event.

McLouth United Methodist Church had its 12th annual Trunk or Treat Saturday at the McLouth High School parking lot.

Spooktacular always falls on the Friday before Halloween. Next year’s festivities will be Oct. 29, 2016.