Tatianna Castaneda, 4, of Imperial, throws a light-up ball through a hoop at the Imperial High School Key Club¿s booth at a Halloween carnival Saturday in Imperial. |
IMPERIAL — Melissa Campos remembers when she was a little girl having fun getting to dress up and play at the annual Halloween carnival.
But now she has an even better time as she watches her son and daughter play at the same event she grew up going to.
“It’s more fun to see my kids be happy,” she said. “When they’re happy, I’m happy.”
Her family was among the thousands who went through a haunted house, played games, danced and had a good time at the annual Halloween Carnival held Saturday at Ben Hulse Elementary School.
Though the event was held at the elementary school, students in junior high and high school were also out in costumes, said Michelle Rodiles, Ben Hulse Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization president.
In total between 1,500 and 2,000 people attend the event every year, with this year having possibly more than that.
The organization decided to move the event back to the elementary school this year because of complaints that the high school location was to spread out, she said. In addition to the new location, there was more to offer this year with kettle corn, shaved ice and a train ride.
All the money from the event goes back to the school and each grade level, she said. It funds things like assemblies, field trips and even the recent Red Ribbon Week events.
The schools have had to cut so much, and the parent-teacher organization has stepped up to help, she said.
“We’re doing this for the kids,” she said. “Ultimately it’s all for the kids.”
And those kids really seem to be having fun, participating in costume contests, dancing and more, Rodiles said.
Beau Smith, 7, won one round of the cakewalk, but he said his favorite part was the hayride he took earlier. He also liked the costumes.
Jaden Wilson, 6, was also having fun on the playground in his Green Lantern costume. He was quick to point out that there were four other people with Green Lantern costumes, which he said he likes because the Green Lantern can fly and is strong.
There were a lot of things to do, said 10-year-old Logan Flores. He played most of the games, but his favorite part was the haunted house.
“I saw a few things that I probably didn’t want to see,” he said.
Though he wasn’t able to see everything because of his werewolf mask, he was spooked by the zombies, body parts and vampires.
Overall it’s a great event, said parent Tracy Moreno. It was her first time at the carnival, but there was a lot of fun stuff to do.
The turnout was great too, and the money is sure to help the students, she said.
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
But now she has an even better time as she watches her son and daughter play at the same event she grew up going to.
“It’s more fun to see my kids be happy,” she said. “When they’re happy, I’m happy.”
Her family was among the thousands who went through a haunted house, played games, danced and had a good time at the annual Halloween Carnival held Saturday at Ben Hulse Elementary School.
Though the event was held at the elementary school, students in junior high and high school were also out in costumes, said Michelle Rodiles, Ben Hulse Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization president.
In total between 1,500 and 2,000 people attend the event every year, with this year having possibly more than that.
The organization decided to move the event back to the elementary school this year because of complaints that the high school location was to spread out, she said. In addition to the new location, there was more to offer this year with kettle corn, shaved ice and a train ride.
All the money from the event goes back to the school and each grade level, she said. It funds things like assemblies, field trips and even the recent Red Ribbon Week events.
The schools have had to cut so much, and the parent-teacher organization has stepped up to help, she said.
“We’re doing this for the kids,” she said. “Ultimately it’s all for the kids.”
And those kids really seem to be having fun, participating in costume contests, dancing and more, Rodiles said.
Beau Smith, 7, won one round of the cakewalk, but he said his favorite part was the hayride he took earlier. He also liked the costumes.
Jaden Wilson, 6, was also having fun on the playground in his Green Lantern costume. He was quick to point out that there were four other people with Green Lantern costumes, which he said he likes because the Green Lantern can fly and is strong.
There were a lot of things to do, said 10-year-old Logan Flores. He played most of the games, but his favorite part was the haunted house.
“I saw a few things that I probably didn’t want to see,” he said.
Though he wasn’t able to see everything because of his werewolf mask, he was spooked by the zombies, body parts and vampires.
Overall it’s a great event, said parent Tracy Moreno. It was her first time at the carnival, but there was a lot of fun stuff to do.
The turnout was great too, and the money is sure to help the students, she said.
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
