Halloween is here once again, and nowhere is that more evident than at the Portage Township YMCA’s Trick or Treat Trail Walk, and this year it’s even on Friday the 13th! The Portage Township YMCA has had a tradition of celebrating Halloween in the Portage community for over 20 years, and lately has even included a haunted trail in its annual event. There were many local businesses and trick or treaters out to help celebrate this year’s candy feast.
However this year, a new woman is at the helm, Amber Bardsley. She has worked at the YMCA for the last 3 years, and was excited to run the event. “We do this to bring the community together,” Amber said between doling out orders to her many helpers. “And give them something fun for the family. You know, you have so many events for adults only and for kids only, but this is a family event. Nothing gruesome or gory. And they can get some candy!” She credits the success of the event to the help of the staff at the Portage Township YMCA.
And this was definitely a success. There were about 200 people waiting in line at 5:30 when the event started, with the various staff members and volunteers flitting this way and that like bees in a hive. Each intent on completing the tasks that Amber and her helpers gave out. “This is a fundraiser for our before and after school care program called Y Care”, said Erin Robles, Amber’s right-hand woman. “It serves all the Portage Township elementary school kids and it’s a fun event for the whole family.”
Local businesses even came out and set up camp along the haunted trail that wound in the woods behind the YMCA. Jeremy Bryant of Deviant Designs, set up next to his tilted and modified Army-green Jeep, said that “it’s a good way to get out to the local population and have a fun time. Plus, our clown logo fits in with Halloween.”
Anthem Medicaid Representative Amy Ruiz was also on hand to help connect with local children and their parents and let them know about the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) and Hoosier Healthwise, both of which provide discounts for YMCA memberships. “We try to be a part of all of the local events, especially with children”, she said while handing out candy to a tiny Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz.
There was so much energy at the event. The laughter of children permeated every corner of the building, and echoed off the walls outside on the trail as they loaded up their bags with sugary treasure. Watching them load up with treats, then head to the next booth to get even more was a delight not just for the businesses that were there handing out the candy, but also for the parents.
For some, this was a first. “this was the first time we’ve been out to the event,” said Twan, mother of her 7 year old daughter Abigail. “My daughter has never been trick or treating and we thought this would be a safe and fun way to do it. We do love the Y.”
With such a rousing success as this year’s Trick or Treat even was, it will be interesting to see what new trick and treats that Amber and her staff at the YMCA has in store for the families of Portage for next year.
For more information about Portage YMCA, please visit http://www.ymcaofportage.org/