They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, they're all together ooky…and, well, you know the rest. The 3rd Annual Maricopa Trick or Treat, sponsored by Church of Celebration, packed Pacana Park with costumed kids of every kind last night.
Organizers estimate this year's event drew more than 10,000 children and families, surpassing last Halloween’s draw of 8,000 attendees. Activities included inflatables, a hay maze, carnival games, popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, raffles prizes and a costume contest with prizes at that included a new Sony PlayStation 3, X-Box 360, and a Nintendo Wii player, and lots of gift card prizes. Winners in the costume contest were as follows: - 0-4 year-old-group, first prize winner: Max McKinley (Nintendo Wii) - 5-9 year-old-group, first prize winner: Jessica Hillsman (X-Box 360) - 10-12 year-old-group, first prize winnesr: Marty and Matthew Janzen (PlayStation 3) Performers from Desert Sun Performing Arts, as well as community members, danced to Michael Jackson’s Thriller video. DSPA director Ceylan Gentilella choreographed the number with 25 dancers matching Jackson’s 1983 chart-busting hit step for step. “This free, public event was designed to provide a safe, fun atmosphere for the whole family on Halloween,” said Mat Balgaard, organizer, and one of Church of Celebration’s pastors.
Other sponsors for this year’s celebration were the city of Maricopa and Wal-Mart.
Photos by Misty Marchione |