Halloween events set for island children
Pint-sized ghost, goblins, witches and fairies are invited to attend the annual Fall Festival this weekend for an afternoon of treats without the tricks. On Saturday, Oct. 31, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island will host an event for all of the students attending Pine Island Elementary School.
The Fall Festival will be staged at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church in Bokeelia from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Kiwanis and other members of the Pine Island Community will offer the children attending free hot dogs, chips and drinks donated by the Pine Island Winn-Dixie as well as free cotton candy and popcorn. The children also can participate in several games staged both indoors and outdoors at the church. Prizes and goodie bags will also be given out and outside the children will find two large bounce houses with slides and a mini All Stars Basketball Game and much more.
“We are anticipating that about 250 kids will come out and enjoy all the activities we will have for them,” said Kiwanian Peggy Cozadd. “This is truly a community event and as usual our amazing community, individuals and organizations will be offering their help.”
According to Cozadd, in addition to members of the Kiwanis, participating at the Fall Festival will be the Rosenburg’s, who will take photos of the kids in costume who can take the digital images home with them; the Pine Island VFW Auxiliary will man a game booth; Dairy Queen has provided gift certificates for all of the children; Starbucks will offer free coffee and tea for the parents of the children; Riverdale Dental has donated free toothbrushes; the Matlacha Hookers will set up a game booth; Little League will oversee a T-ball event; the Pine Island Public Library will man a booth; the Lee County Sheriff’s Department will do fingerprinting; representatives from SunTrust, TIB and Southwest Capital Banks will be on hand; and the Pine Island Community Church Youth Group will help with setting up and assist children with some of the games.
Also contributing to this event are Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, American Legion, Ana Consulting Agency, Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Fund, Pine Island Laundry Mat, Cove Systems Inc. and North Fort Myers Key Club.
Cozadd also said that all of the children who participate in the games will be winners as each child will receive a gift.
For more information about the Kiwanis Fall Festival, call Peggy Cozadd at 283-9170.
Later that evening the children also are invited to don their costumes once again to participate in the Trunk or Treat event hosted by the Pine Island Community Church.
The second annual Trunk-Or-Treat will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Century 21 parking lot. All those attending are asked to park next door in the Wachovia Bank parking lot and take the foot path to Century 21. At this time, 20 vehicle owners have signed up to offer goodies from their trunks. According to Penny Honc with Pine Island Community Church, there is still space available and its not too late to participate.
“This was a very successful event last year and we hope that it will be this year as well, “said Honc. “This is a safe family event that is being greatly supported by the community and we are looking forward to seeing lots of families here for Trunk or Treat.”
In addition to parading their costumes and traveling from trunk to trunk, children and their families can enjoy a hot dog combo plate consisting of a grilled hot dog, bag of chips and a chilled bottle of water for just $2. Also offered will be free cookies and punch for all who stop by. All Pine Island and area elementary school-aged children are welcome to participate but children must be accompanied by an adult.
To reserve a parking spot to offer treats from a trunk or for more information, call the Pine Island Community Church office at 282-5616.