Community trick or treat night at Civic Center is very successful

By MARCELLA HERNDON

"IT" WAS IN DIBOLL - Stephen King would be proud to know that "It', along with approximately 1,600 others participated in the Community Trick or Treat alternative Halloween festival at Lottie & Arthur Temple Civic Center on Wednesday. Children swarmed the civic center in search of fun activities and goodie's galore. Vendors hosted games and issued out candy while Officers of Diboll PD entertained the audience with a dunking booth. For more exciting photos of Community Trick or Treat, mermaids, ghosts and goblins, go to FreePpress website at: www.dibollfreepress.com and press the blue dot. (Photo by Marcella Herndon)

Staff writer

The city of Diboll hosted a community trick or treat Wednesday, October 31st at the Lottie & Arthur Temple Civic Center. The family-oriented event attracted hundreds, all looking for a safe alternative to traditional Halloween practices.

"Wow, we had more people than we ever expected," said Lance Moore, Civic Center director. Admission to the event was free for the whole family. Vendors set up booths along the wall while offering fun games and bowls of candy. Children zipped back and forth with excitement, not knowing which games to play first or how much candy could fit into their little mouths. There were a wide array of children's costumes from Mermaids, to Supermen and goblins, to sumo wrestlers.

Sugar charged children stood as patiently as they could in attraction lines, all wanting a chance to play a game and win more candy. The award for longest line however went to the Diboll Police Department for their sacrificial officer-dunking booth. Children, parents and even grandparents all wanted a chance to dunk an officer of the law into chest deep water. Officer Ramiro DeJesus took one for the team as he took the plunge time and time again thanks to the help of fellow officer Rodney Cheshire. Officer Cheshire assisted tots with their aim and put them closer to the bull's eye if their pitch was a little off, proving that DPD is all about teamwork.

In the end all seemed to have enjoyed the safe environment, festive games and fun costumes but most of all they enjoyed the candy and fellowship with friends.