By Amelia A. Pridemore
Rain poured on downtown Beckley Saturday morning, but it was not enough to keep witches, the Grim Reaper, skeletons and even Sleeping Beauty away.
More than 500 people flooded Jim Word Memorial Park for the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia’s 22nd annual Tailgate Halloween. About 45 vendors handed out loads of candy to early-bird trick-or-treaters whose parents said this was a much safer way for children to have Halloween fun.
Leslie Baker, Youth Museum coordinator, said the rain poured at 9 a.m., leaving some people worried the turnout would be affected. However, weather has never spoiled a Tailgate Halloween — with the smallest turnout being 498.
“We have always done this, regardless of the weather,” she said as she wore a Cruella De Vil costume. “We’ve had snow and 80-degree weather, and the kids still come out.
“This is wonderful. It’s almost like a community block party. ... The kids get to dress up in their costumes, and they get really, really nice treats.”
Safety is the main reason Tailgate Halloween continues, Baker said. It takes place during daylight hours, in the open and in an area protected by police officers, firefighters and emergency medical service workers. All treats have stickers on them, indicating the business or organization from which they came.
“This is the best for the kids,” she said. “We don’t have the neighborhoods we used to. Here, you’re not going door-to-door and to houses where you don’t know who lives there. This is the safest way to have a good time and get treats.”
For Oak Hill resident Donna Grimmett and her sister, Sherry Dicken of Mount Hope, safety was the main reason they brought children, grandchildren and a nephew to Tailgate Halloween.
“I went online, and there are 24 sex offenders living within two miles of my home — registered sex offenders,” Grimmett said. “But this is wonderful. We wish that all communities could have this experience.”
At the Jan-Care Ambulance tent, both adults and children were in on the Halloween fun. Eleven-year-old Samantha Parker dressed as a Renaissance witch, while her father, Jan-Care employee John Parker, dressed as Elvis. His costume later became “Evel Knievel” because his Elvis wig was too hot to wear.
“We took it a step further,” Parker said. “This is the most rockin’ corner!”
“Other than the poopy weather, it was awesome!” Samantha Parker said.
Parker, co-workers and their children said they had fun doing the “Time Warp” dance from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” while the children cleaned house with candy from other vendors. They were impressed with Saturday’s turnout, given the weather.
“We were scared we wouldn’t have enough kids,” John Parker said. “Then we were scared we wouldn’t have enough candy.”
Jan-Care employee Pau-la Johnson said she was happy to see her son have Halloween fun and in a safe environment. She noted public safety workers, at events like these, have the chance to build a trusting relationship with children.
“This gives us a chance to spend time with the kids in case we do have to take them to the hospital later,” she said.
Pam Lewis of Bullfrogs and Butterflies Day Care, danced at her employer’s booth as she waited for more children to come for candy. While she loved Halloween as a child, she says making other children happy as they receive Halloween candy is even more fun.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” she said. “Honestly, it makes me happy to see the kids happy. That’s the main thing.
“And I get to show off my bad dancing skills!” she said with a laugh.
— E-mail: apridemore@ register-herald.com
