Ghouls and Goodies

By Melinda Gray

melinda@coastalbreezenews.com

Family fun was the order of the day on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Marco Island YMCA, where this year’s Bootacular Night Halloween Bash drew children of all ages from Marco Island and surrounding communities to celebrate and play.

The YMCA gymnasium was alive with children’s laughter and gleeful chatter, while familiar Halloween tunes — courtesy of DJ Steve Reynolds — brought entire families out onto the dance floor to do the

Monster Mash and the Hokey Pokey.

A mini carnival atmosphere was created with stations set up around the room featuring activities like coloring pages; bean bag and ring toss games; a cookie decorating table; and even a bounce house. This time of year, many local activities target teenagers and adults with spooky fun, but this event caters specifically to younger children.

“I wanted to start something that was geared more toward the younger kids, where

they could come and have fun; something that isn’t scary,” said Stephanie Pepper, youth development manager at the Marco Island YMCA. “The games are all for pre-school age children, and it’s a place where parents can meet and greet each other as well.”

Pepper said that the all-volunteer-run Bootacular Night saw a turnout of well over 120 people on Friday, making this one of their most successful years since the event’s inception, roughly eight years ago.