Back with new attractions and coming up this Saturday is the annual trick or treat party and haunted house at the Highland County Senior Citizen Center.
There are also several other similar events scheduled throughout the county this week.
The senior center event has an admission fee of $1 per person. In return, those attending get an indoor trick or treat with at least 25 area businesses passing out candy; a hot dog, chips and drink; a trip through a haunted house; costume contests; games; and more.
Any business or group still wanting to take part can call the center at 937-393-4745.
“It’s kind of like a big thank you to the community for supporting the center throughout the year,” executive director Mechell Frost said. “We try to make it affordable for people who maybe can’t afford other haunted houses and trick or treat events.”
The center will also be selling various flavors of UDF ice cream for $1.50 a scoop and there will be a raffle for a 55-inch, 4K flatscreen television donated by Rent-2-Own. Tickets are on sale now and will be on sale that night. The winning ticket will be drawn during the Breakfast With Santa event at the senior center on Dec. 3. You do not have to be present to win.
The haunted house, in its 11th year and also known as Purdin’s House of Pain, has 29 rooms and some new additions like Medusa, Pumpkin Head Man and witch characters, according to Rhonda Purdin, the food director at the center whose husband, Tracy Purdin, puts it together. Everyone who pays admission to the event gets a trip through the haunted house. Extra trips are $1 each.
There will be all kinds of games including a life-size “Operation” game provided by the Highland County Health Department, and at the end of the night kids will get turns trying to break open a pinata full of candy.
The trick or treat runs from 6-8 p.m. and the haunted house is open from 6-9 p.m.
Around 8 p.m. there will be costume contests with prizes for kids and adults in the following age groups: 0-1 years, 2-4 years, 5-7 years, 8-10 years, 11-13 years, 14-17 years and 18 and above.
No one over the age of 10 will be permitted inside the event if they are wearing a clown costume or mask.
Since the event is primarily sponsored by the Turner & Son Funeral Homes, all proceeds benefit the senior center. Other sponsors include Kroger, Community Markets, US Food, Valley Foods, UDF, Rent-2-Own and Tracy Purdin.
“It’s kind of like old-school Halloween fun,” Frost said. “It’s grown every year and we have seen some very interesting things.”
Other similar events around the area this week include:
• The tradition Beggar’s Night in Highland County will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27.
• On Tuesday, Oct. 25 the annual Halloween Parade sponsored by the Paint Creek Firefighters Association will start at 6 p.m. in Greenfield. Parade line-up will begin at the colonnades on Fifth Street at 5 p.m.
• On Wednesday, Oct. 26 the Hillsboro Church of the Nazarene will host More Than a Trunk or Treat from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Activities will include trunk or treating, carnival games and refreshments. Businesses, individuals and candidates for elected offices interested in setting up a trunk should contact the church office at 937-393-3545.
• On Thursday, Oct. 27 The Times-Gazette, 108 Gov. Trimble Place, Hillsboro, will host a free haunted house from 5-7 p.m.
• On Thursday, Oct. 27 Safe Trick or Treat, sponsored by the Greenfield Area Merchants Association, will be held in downtown Greenfield from 6-8 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, it will be held under the colonnades on Fifth Street.
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or on Twitter @13gillilandj.
