There will be so much going on Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Highland County Senior Citizens Center that executive director Mechell Frost does not really have a name for the event.
“I just call it the Halloween Party, Indoor Trick or Treat, Haunted House,” Frost said.
But there’s more than that. Those paying the $1 admission can also be part of a costume contest; play Halloween-related games; receive a hot dog, chips and drink; and hear Halloween music and sounds.
Purdin’s Haunted House will have a clown theme with several other creatures roaming around the senior center. The haunted house is open from 6-9 p.m., has dozens of small rooms, and is free with the $1 admission. Anyone wanting to go through more than once will need to pay $1 for each additional trip.
The trick or treat runs from 6-8 p.m. and features more than 20 local businesses and individuals passing out candy.
There will be costume contests in seven age categories: 0-1 years, 2-4 years, 5-7 years, 8-9 years, 11-13 years, 14-17 years and 18-and-over, with awards for the winners and the first two runners-up in each group. The contests will start around 8 p.m. after the trick or treat has concluded.
For an additional fee, there will be scoops of UDF ice cream for sale, plus a raffle for an Ohio State tent with four chairs and a rolling cooler.
Adults are encouraged to dress up with the kids.
The event has become so popular, Frost said, that Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera will be manning the door, and there will be a Hillsboro police officer outside watching traffic with another officer inside the center.
“As far as attendance, yes, I’d say we have the most people in and out in a short period of time than we have for any other event,” Frost said. “It’s really neat to see people of all ages enjoy the same things together.”
The doors open at 6 p.m.
The Turner Funeral Homes, Hillsboro VFW Post 9094, UDF, Valley Foods and Community Markets all help sponsor the event, which allows all proceeds to benefit the senior center.
There are several other public events on the horizon at the center.
On Wednesday, Nov. 1 and Nov. 8 the center will offer a drive through lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The menu includes homemade noodles, chicken and dumplings, rolls and a drink. The dinner is $6 or bags of noodles can be purchased for $5. You can purchase items by driving through the center parking lot or ordering in advance.
On Friday, Nov. 3 the center will hold its annual Veterans Day Program. The doors open at 5 p.m. when a dinner is served, followed by a program. Dinner is free to all veterans. Dinner for anyone else is $7. Alex Butler will be the guest speaker and Alberta Duncan will help with the program.
All proceeds benefit the Hillsboro VFW Veterans Relief Fund.
“We encourage the community to come and help us honor our veterans, who are very near and dear to us,” Frost said. “A large number of our members are veterans, but this is open to all veterans of all ages.”
Those planning to attend should RSVP to the center at 937-393-4745 so the staff knows how much food to prepare.
Turkey Bingo will be held at the center on Saturday, Nov. 4. The doors open at noon and the games start at 1 p.m. A homemade noodles dinner will be available beginning at noon and other items will be available for purchase throughout the event.
The winners of the bingo games win turkeys. Cards are 25 cents per card, per game, and you must be 18 or older to play.
The center will host its annual Breakfast With Santa and the Grinch on Saturday, Dec. 2. This year there will be maximum of 500 tickets sold, with 100 tickets available in five different times frames. Tickets are $8, except those 11 months old and younger are free. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Nov. 1 and can be purchased online at www.highlandseniors.com or by visiting the center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or [email protected].
