Published: October 30, 2009 12:45 am      

Frights, fun in the park

Volunteers ensure good time is had by young and old

Ashland — Children of all ages — including some adults — donned their scariest, wackiest or most glamorous costumes and flocked to Central Park on Thursday night.

A record crowd descended on the newly named Bruce Craft Tennis Courts for the annual Ashland Trick or Treat.

Craft, who founded the event more than two decades ago, died in June. He and his signature whistle were notably missing from Thursday’s events, but his spirit was alive and well among the dozens of volunteers who led a variety of activities and handed out more than 40,000 pieces of candy to children from across the Tri-State.

Volunteers from King’s Daughters Medical Center and other businesses and nonprofit agencies make the night possible, said Amber Berry, activities coordinator with Ashland’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Berry said her dream is to see the entire park filled with Halloween revelers.

The night is filled with more treats than tricks, as it should be, according to most children in attendance.

Isaiah Davis, 8, who was disguised as the Grim Reaper, said his favorite part of the night is “getting all the candy.”

Reese Benton, 8, and her brother, Riley Benton, 7, were dressed as Luigi and Mario. “It’s cool,” said Riley, describing the activities they’d completed so far.

Their favorite part? “The puppet!” they yelled in unison, adding they liked it because it played the theme song from Mario Brothers.

Scary costumes are the best part of the holiday for Devon Yates, 8, who was dressed as a swamp monster. “It’s my favorite part. It’s just fun to dress up and walk around,” he said, anxiously waiting in line to enter the tennis courts.

“I like picking the costumes and getting the candy,” said Cameron Sanders, 10, who was dressed as a punk zombie. A zombie mask complete with hair spikes swayed his decision this year.

“I just saw it, I saw the head piece and I wanted to be a zombie,” the boy explained.

Alex Blanchet, 6, and his brother, John Blanchet, 9, who were dressed up as Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow from G.I. Joe, prefer their Halloween zombie free.

“Sometimes it’s really scary,” John said.

“But sometimes it’s really fun,” said his brother, who explained scary costumes give him and his brother frights.

“People who dress up as zombies and stuff, they scare us. And they can eat you. They can eat your brain!” he declared.

CARRIE STAMBAUGH can be reached at cstambaugh@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.