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SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Spooktacular draws hundreds

The third annual Halloween Spooktacular was held in the main gym of South Brunswick High School on Sunday.

By Azra Baig, Special Writer
The third annual Halloween Spooktacular was held in the main gym of South Brunswick High School on Sunday.
   The free event drew a crowd of more than 1,000, organizers said. It was co-sponsored by the South Brunswick Department of Parks and Recreation and the LocalChatBox.com business.
   Hundreds of children with their parents dressed up in their Halloween costumes and were able to enjoy trick or treating, candy, games, music, a bouncy house, dance shows, a karate demonstration, vendors and much more.
   The event featured local businesses including; Ambient DJ, a blow up inflatable obstacle course from PlaytimeParty.com, dance show entertainment from Dance on Q and Artists In Motion and a Karate Show from Family Karate Super Center.
   Suzanne O’Rourke, owner of LocalChatBox.com, created the concept of the Spooktacular.
   ”We attribute the increase of attendance to the new location,” Ms. O’Rourke said in a press release following the event. “Last years the event was held indoors at Woodlot Park, but we moved it to the High School for a larger venue and better parking.”
   Ms. O’Rourke said the new location tripled the size of the past two years and made parking easier for those in attendance.
   ”The idea is to have our local businesses hand out candy to the kids who come in costume to trick or treat indoors,” she said.
   Several items were raffled off to the crowd including; a Nook tablet, $100 Gift Card to McCaffreys, $50 Amex Gift Cards, and free birthday parties at local party venues, according to the organizers.
   ”he best part is seeing the kids dressed up in costume and smiling as they go from table to table,” Ms. O’Rourke said. “There are games and activities at many of the tables.”
   Ms. O’Rourke said a much larger number of people attended this year, with the event averaging around 600 local residents during the past two years. She said volunteers from a local Girl Scout troop helped set up and clean up for the event.
   ”We have already sent a survey out to our vendors to gain feedback from this years event as we are always looking to improve,” she said. “We are already looking forward to next year’s Halloween Spooktacular.”