HomeMy WebLinkAboutRPT 2 HALLOWEEN PROG 12-5-83REPORTS
/' DAT£: November 21, 1983 In er-Com
FROM:
$ UBJ EC:T:
William A. Huston, City Manager
Jeff Kolin, Recreation Superintendent
HALLOWEEN PROGRAM
Halloween has always been a special night for children. It is an opportunity
to dress up as their favorite cartoon character, a scary ghost, a fiendish
ghoul, or a beautiful ballerina and trick-or-treat through the neighborhood
collecting candy and treats from as many homes as their goody bag can hold.
In recent years, many parents have been reluctant to have their children
participate in the traditional Halloween trick-or-treating. Fear of poisoned
candy, razor blades and other horror stories have led parents to look for
alternative Halloween activities. The Community Services Department contacted
the Tustin Boys Club this summer to explore the possibilities of a cooperative
Halloween program. The Boys Club was very interested in working with the City
to.produce a Halloween program and offered the use of their building for a
Haunted House. Planning for the event began in the first part of September.
Staff and volunteers were ~ecruited, activities planned and organized, and a
'list of supplies developed. Letters were mailed to local fast-food restaurants
asking for donations. Supplies which were needed were purchased with costs
being split equally between the Boys Club and the City. Lots of volunteer hours
were spent digging up scary scenery and props for the Haunted Ilouse. Scary
movies and several fun Halloween games were designed to complete the eveni, ng's
activities.
The actual set-up for the Haunted House began on October 27. Four days later,
the completed Haunted House was ready to open at 5:00 p.m. Four hours of
activities were planned at the Boys Club; they included a costume contest,
carnival games, Haunted House, and a scary movie. Candy and popcorn were put
into Halloween bags and were given to each participant. Gift certificates
· from local fast-food restaurants were given out to costume contest winners,
carnival game winners, and special award winners so that almost everyone received
something.
A $1.00 admission charge was collected from each participant, both adults and
children. The admission charge paid for all supplies, film rental, and give-
aways for the program. Revenue was equally divided between the Boys Club and
the City as were the expenses associated with the program. Because the
Halloween program was a first year event, staff was not sure how successful it
would be. Initial estimates were that a good turnout would be 150-200
participants during the four-hour program. By 8:00 p.m., it was clear that our
estimates had been very conservative. Over 300 participants had passed through
the entrance by. that time. By 9:00 p.m., the total had risen to 450. Halloween
bags, refreshments, punch, and cookies had long since disappeared. Our motto
for next year will be "Be Prepared for Even More People."
HALLOWEEN PROGRAM
Page Two
November 21, 1983
Boys Club staff and Con~nunity Services Department staff were very. happy With this
first year Halloween program. Both agreed that parents were looking for some
kind of alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. Many positive comments
were received from parents regarding this creative program for children on
Halloween night. Staff is looking forward to another cooperative effort with
the Tustin Boys Club fo~ next Halloween. An expanded Haunted House, more carnival
games, and a larger supply of candy, popcorn, punch, and cookies will be available
for next year. The admission fee will be kept at the $1.00 level so that the
program will be affordable to everyone in the community. Both the Boys Club and
the City think that this year's Halloween Haunted House was a good example of a
successful cooperative program which benefited the community.
~f~rel~1~i oh Super~in~~e~
JK:s)~