Haunted maze popular at Halloween party

Smiles wreathed the faces of many of the more than 700 children at the Hannibal Police Department’s Halloween party Saturday night, as the youngsters repeatedly went through the “haunted maze” and took part in other events.
Among the group spending extra time at the haunted maze was Kevin Houston, who said it wasn’t scary.
Others said it was, but they liked it that way, such as sisters Tatum (fortune teller), Tristian (mermaid) and Tatieya Schappaugh (tiger). Tatum, age 10, said as they went through the rooms people would yell their own names at them.
The children were creatively attired by their parents and grandparents, such as 8-year-old “popcorn girl” Kendra Spegal. Kendra won first place in the age 7 to 9 costume contest. Second place in this age division went to Jaxon Hudelson, who was dressed as a trash can.
Additional winners were: birth to age 3, Reyes Ruedas-Martinez, 2, first place; and Carly Boyd, second. Reyes’ mother said he was dressed as a marichi, a Mexican musician.
In the age 4 to 6 division, Abigail Gentry took first place as a candle on a table, (a large decorated cardboard box), and Dakota White, second.
Age 10 to 12 winners were Taylor Bramblett and Andrew Bates. Taylor’s mother explained she was a “dead head” in a refrigerator freezer.
Children winning the contests received prizes. An adult contest took place, with the winners named but not receiving prizes.
In the adult contest, first and second place, respectively, went to Wayne Johnston as “oogie boogie” and Miranda Tutor as a clown.
Although cartoon and movie characters abounded, along with animals, dancing girls and fighting men, many wore scary costumes created at home.
Kayla Collings, 7, wore big black ears as Minnie Mouse. Jorie Thompson, 3, had large wings as a monarch butterfly. Adults also exercised their creativity, including Beth Dillman as a headless horseman.
Members of the Elks lodge served soft drinks and hot dogs,
while at the other end of the room, popcorn was provided near the movie screen.
A long line gathered to wait for a large caricature of each child by illustrator Jeffery Niffen.
Games were led by members of the Key Club at Hannibal High School, including Chris Bueler, who kept watch over the straw maze the children crawled through.
This was the 29th annual free Halloween party at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center led by the police department’s DARE program.
Cpl. Brian Allen, coordinator of the party, declared it a success at 8 p.m., after the costume contests were concluded and the crowd continued to play games and go through the haunted maze.
“We really appreciate the support from the community,” Allen said, including funds and decorations, and the volunteers who helped with all the things needed to make the party a success.
He thanked the Elks Lodge for helping, noting that in addition to serving food at the party, it sponsors the DARE program.
And after the children left, he added, the Early Bird Kiwanis Club would tear down the party.