Skeletons, butterflies, and crayons, oh my! Portage Township Trustee’s Office put together the most festive Halloween party for all on Friday night with games, a bonfire, and even horse-drawn carriage rides.
Fortunately for all who were in attendance, the earlier rains of the day concluded and gave way for an absolutely perfect fall evening hosted at Haven Hollow Park in Portage.
Volunteers from several local organizations came to host games and give out the much-sought-after trick-or-treat candy. Families were greeted with trick-or-treat bags and glow sticks and sent off to explore all the awesome activities.
Children enjoyed the various bouncy houses and slides. Games of all sorts were played from a creative javelin throw with pool noodles to an outstanding obstacle course that really headlined the event for the kids.
Briar, a boy scout in Portage, shared about some of the achievements he has earned over the years. His favorite is his “stronger, faster, higher” achievement, which he earned as a webelos by creating an obstacle course.
Briar’s mother, Abie Swift, explained how active kids like Briar are and how much she appreciates the event's impact on kids' lives.
“All of our advancements are either centered around outdoor activities, healthy living, community service, or duty to God, so it’s all of our 12 points of our law,” said Swift. “He created the obstacle course to rank up, and he had to run a group through it.”
Seeing all the smiles on so many children’s faces as they took on the course they created really shows Briar and his fellow scouts how much they can make a difference in someone’s day.
Briar and the rest of pack 316 coordinate and run monthly community service projects, and one of their prized accomplishments is the beautiful butterfly garden at Haven Hollow Park, the site for Friday’s event.
After playing games, winning prizes, and finishing the challenging scout obstacle course, families were able to settle their appetites with delicious hot dogs, chips, and hot apple cider, all provided by the South Haven Lions Club who were decked out in their best Halloween costumes.
Bri Wheeler and her beautiful family, all dressed as friendly skeletons, just recently moved to South Haven, but Friday night was not their first time at the lovely Haven Hollow Harvest Festival. After coming to the event for a while, Wheeler’s son Decklan is now finally old enough to truly partake in all the awesome festivities.
“He wanted to do the smores, so we just got done roasting marshmallows!” Wheeler said with excitement.
Portage Township really pleased the crowds tonight, making it possible for fond memories to be made as the community came together as volunteers, as families, and as friends.
For more information about the Portage Township Trustee’s Office, visit its website at portage-township.com.
