After approximately 20 years, the event formerly known as Boo on Bell and organized by Safe Events for Families (SEFF) is now Monsters on Main and produced by Community Renewal.
But, whatever the name or coordinator, it still attracted hundreds, if not thousands, of masquerading kids and their families to downtown Shawnee.
“When I walked around shooting pictures and video during the trick-or-treating, it was hard to believe the crowd,” said Shawnee Mayor Ed Bolt. “It was an endless line of families, and everyone was having a great time.”
In addition to trick-or-treating, the event offered a pet contest and costume contest with three age divisions and a family division. Bolt was one of three judges for both contests. His fellow judges included Jamelle Payne, Sierra Frailey, and Teresa Likens.
“There (were) a large number of entries for all of the costume contests,” said Bolt. “The costumes were great. You could tell that people put a lot of time and thought into their entries. I was amazed at the creativity.”
For the pet contest, there were about 18 dogs and one snake. In first place for both the large dogs and overall was “Fancy” the Poodle mix, who was dressed as a scarecrow. In second place overall and first place for the small dogs, was “Jax,” a Yorkshire Terrier in a Sherlock Holmes costume, owned by Chris Wassana. “Olivia,” who was dressed as a corn cob and owned by Paisley Gamble, took first place in medium dogs, while “Silas” the Schnauzer - who accompanied his owner, Ella Buss, in wearing a hula skirt and lei - took third place overall.
For the 0-3-Years Costume Contest, three decorated wagons and coordinated toddlers’ costumes won the division. Misha Fowler, of Meeker, took first with her “Duck Commander Air Boat” covered in swamp grass and complete with a round fan at the back. It carried Deacon Fowler, 1, and Amelia Hennigh, 2, in camo clothes.
In second place, the “Claw Machine” held Alivia Powell, 1, daughter of Falon and Bralynn Powell, of Tecumseh, in a plush costume, and in third place, Layton Cannon, of Shawnee, was dressed as a rodeo clown, and his wagon was transformed into a bull. His father, Bo Cannon, said he is actually a firefighter clown who performs at fire prevention presentations.
For the 4-7-year division, Tinley Dobson, 7, of Seminole, placed first as “Pennywise.” In second, Raelynn Davis, 7, of Meeker, wore a Dia De Muertos dress and makeup.
In the 8-12-year division, Abigail Skelly, 10, of OKC, took first in a black widow spider costume she made, which included a rope web attached to her arms and front. Second place went to Kate Pearcy, 11, of Tecumseh, who was inside a large, inflatable Pillsbury Doughboy. Zayne Shaffer, 11, of Norman, won third place as Frankenstein.
In the Family Costume Contest, first place went to the Neely family, who dressed as characters from “The Wizard of Oz.” Serena Neely was the witch; Prestynn, 6, was the Scarecrow; Peyton, 7, was Dorothy; Kellan, 9, was the Cowardly Lion; and Merritt, 6 months, was a flying monkey.
Second place went to Zach and Rachael Caraway, of Newalla, with their 9-monthold daughter, Audrey. Zach was a farmer, Rachael a cow, and Audrey was “their milk maid” in bonnet and dress. Rachael said they wouldn’t be together on Halloween, so they were looking for an event where they could dress up.
In third place were the “Monsters on Main Street,” of Norman. They were led by Kara Cochran, as a skeleton; Zayne Shaffer as Frankenstein; Elliott the scarecrow; Zac the mummy; Faith the ghost; Adrianna the vampire; and Jackson the werewolf.
Besides the contests and trick-or-treating, the event featured a carnival which ran from Oct. 20-22, a dance showcase, vendors and DJ YuchiBoy Dance Party that evening.
“I thought Community Renewal did a very nice job,” said Bolt. “Everything was well organized. I really appreciated them having bottled water for everyone that wanted one.”
“When they sit down and examine the event, I am sure they will tweak a few things next year. That always happened each year when I was involved in planning the event with SEFF.”
“ The feedback I received as I walked around the event was very positive,” he added.
