Ghosts and Ghouls Have Frightful Good Fun at Colton Halloween Festival

Carnival style games, activity booths, live entertainment, a costume contest and, of course, candy were just a few of the highlights this year at Colton's annual Halloween festival. Hosted by Colton Community Services, the festival, which has become one of the city's many holiday staples over the years, welcomed nearly 1,600 residents this year, many of whom were decked out in their scariest or cutest costumes, Brandon Parra, the recreation services coordinator who oversaw the Halloween event this year, noted. While the event is geared toward the city's younger population, many each year come to partake in the games and activities, said Parra. Carnival-style games included the "Snake in my Boots" booth, where children tossed rubber snakes into a cowboy boot; the "Spider Knockdown," where children knocked down a pyramid of stacked cans; and fish bowl ping pong. Candy was given to each child who participated in the games and visitors had a selection of over 15 vendors booths to stop at. Kids also participated in a costume contest. Over the years, the turnout has grown. Since he began overseeing the annual event in 2009, participation has increased from just over 900 people four years ago to exactly 1,586 this year, shared Parra. "It gets quite a turnout," said Parra, who elaborated on why he believes participation grows each consecutive year. "Number one, we do our best in putting on quality events the community really enjoys. With Colton being such a close [knit] community, we see participation increasing because they share the news with their friends and family." Marketing the event helps contribute to the participation each year, he added, but for Parra and the Colton Community Services Department, it's more about figuring out what works. "More than marketing, we do try each year to evaluate ourselves and ask what we can do to make it better," said Parra. This year, live entertainment performances were expanded to include the department's own contract classes, including the gymnastics, karate and Mexicali Folklorico groups. "Not only [are the performances entertainment at the event], but it gives the contract classes the chance to display what they've been working on, and a chance for parents to watch their kids onstage and see the skills they've learned," Parra said. The Colton Community Services Department is also instrumental in helping bring other community-wide events to the city, including the annual Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony, and the Colton anniversary event in July each year. Participating vendors included Colton Community Services, Dignity Memorial, Cooley Ranch Kiwanis Club, Pro Shop Automotive, Colton Pony Baseball, Colton High School's FHA Hero club, Colton Relay for Life, Valley Star Community Services and the El Sol Asthma Program.