Successful Evening for Moonlight Madness, More Halloween to Come

Young Brothers at SDS Truck or Treat

A warm October evening and a variety of new presentations helped bring a large gathering to downtown Lamar for the annual Retail Merchants, Moonlight Madness, Thursday, October 25^th.  This year’s theme was ‘Dancing with the Stars’.

Spirit Dance Performer at Pocket Park

The Shore Arts Center Pocket Park was filled with relatives and attendees who watched several dance routines on the main stage, contributed by Spirit Dance from Springfield, All the Right Moves from Lamar, Denim and Lace and the Parkview Elementary Choir. The Center itself was headquarters for the 49th Annual Autumn Art Show which is sponsored in part by the Southeast Colorado Arts Council/Anne Boken Trust, Prowers Partners For Progress, Arkansas Valley Wind & Percussion Ensemble, Inc.  A silent auction was held in the northern room accented by a solo pianist while additional artwork was on display in the southern half of the building.

Face Painting at Brew Unto Others

A new and unique feature was presented for the evening, a Witches Walk featuring as many as 24 ladies in garb reminiscent of the Wicked Witch, Elphaba from, “The Wizard of Oz” to variations on the spooky theme. Angie Cue, Lamar’s Community Development Manager, explained that the dress-up of ‘Witches of the Southeast’ as the gathering is known, allows participants to dress up, have some fun and do some shopping along the downtown area.  The participating witches also enjoyed a catered buffet at Bison Title Company before they began their downtown trek.

Gathering of Witches at Bison Title Company

“We only started planning this about three weeks ago, but we intend to continue with it next year. It’s a great partnership with LPI, the Chamber and with the merchants and we’re here to support them and bring more people out to the downtown area for Moonlight Madness.  The proceeds we raise from this event will go back to the merchants for future promotions,” she explained.

Parkview Choir

Besides the mini treat street inside Brew Unto Others, and their varied menu, residents enjoyed cotton candy, tubs of popcorn and other snacks provided by participating merchants. In keeping with the theme of the evening, bookstore proprietor Susan Crites offered a free book of their choice to any youngster who did a little dance outside her store.

Twinkle Toes

The staff of SDS, Southeast Developmental Services, held their annual trunk or treat at their offices on South 4^th Street in Lamar, from 5:30pm to 7pm and opened the door to their haunted house from 7 to 9pm.  More activities are planned for the Halloween season including the Lamar Library’s Trunk or Treat on the 31^st from 5 to 7pm, the 6pm Missionary Baptist Church’s event on South 14^th and the LCC/KVAY  Treat Street at the college beginning at 5:30pm

By Russ Baldwin