The La Porte YMCA got into the festive mood this weekend with a pair of Halloween events. On October 25, the main La Porte branch hosted its Halloween Family Fun Night, and just across town at the YMCA’s Andrew Avenue Outdoor Facility, there was a two-day haunted trail, hosted by the Jaycees and the Y.
The Family Fun Night, which was open from 6-8, featured a multitude of family-friendly activities. The entire Schick Gym was filled with many different games, from a hula hoop toss to “Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin.” Hundreds of kids and their parents occupied the gym, most of whom were dressed in some of the craziest costumes imaginable, and played the dozens of games and contests there.
Vanessa Maher, the marketing director for the La Porte County Family YMCA, said, “We’ve been doing this for well over a decade and we’re always really excited about it. At the YMCA we promote Christian ideals and I think this is just a great way to get family and friends together to celebrate Halloween in a safe and fun way that is supported by those Christian ideals.”
The fun did not end in the Schick Gym, however. A huge bouncy-house filled the top gym, and in the activities center was a large area for arts and crafts with free snacks provided by Al’s Supermarkets. For the adults, there was a large round of bingo being played, and in the Jones Family Pool there were two hours of open swim for all ages.
Maher said, “It’s just a really good way to get everyone together to play fun games and just have a great time with the holiday.”
Perhaps the best thing about it was that it was absolutely free!
The Family Fun Night was not all the Y had planned for this spooky weekend. At the new Andrew Avenue Outdoor Facility, the YMCA, in partnership with the Jaycees, made a very scary Haunted Trail.
Ben Fout, the YMCA’s Member Engagement Director, explained, “This is our first year having the haunted trail out here. We used to have it in the basement, but since we acquired this facility we decided to move it out onto the trail in the woods.”
The trail is great for people of all ages, ensuring a scare no matter how old those brave enough to trek it are. Highlights of the trail included witches, clowns, strobe lights, and a large man with a chainsaw. Before and after the trail was a festive refreshment stand, with all the cookies and hot chocolate one could consume.
Fout said about the new location, “We worked really hard on the trail this year. The old one in the basement was really fun, but I think the work we’ve done on this new trail makes it a lot better. I really like how everything came together on it.”
The Haunted Trail has an admission price of $1 per person, but all proceeds go towards the Y Scholarship Program and the La Porte Jaycees Deserving Children’s Shopping program.
Whether it was the fun and games of the Family Fun Night, or the scary thrills of the Haunted Trail, the YMCA and the Jaycees really got La Porte into the Halloween spirit!