The Friends of Guadalupe River and Honey Creek Inc. put on a Halloween bash at the park on October 30th in the evening from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. This was our 3rd annual "ghost walk" at the park and it was a huge success!

The first year it rained and we had about 100 participants. Last year, with good weather, we had about 450. This year we had 882! Young children and others who are young at heart were encouraged to come in costume to walk through the trail around the ampitheater.that was lined with ghosts, goblins, and other costumed "friends" who greet them with a "Boo!" and candy!

There was also a wonderful story teller, Ms. Susan Kuentz, to round out the entertainment. Friends members and many community volunteers cooked and served hot dogs and punch and helped the children roast marshmallows over fire pits.

The park offered a reduced park entrance fee of $5.00 per car for event guests who came to the park after 5:00 p.m. The park collected $1,150.00 in day entrance fees after 5:00 p.m. and $1,070.00 in donations was collected by "The Friends." The final head county tally was 566 children, 316 adults and 79 volunteers!

The event would not have been possible without the help of many terrific community voluteers and sponsors! About 30 Smithson Valley girl's Basketball and Volleyball Team members came dressed to help foot traffic, serve food and pass out candy. St. Paul's Lutheran youth group, Bulverde 4-H, Girl Scout Troop #571 and Smithson Valley FFA volunteers entertained visitors while passing out candy along the trail. Arlon Seay Intermediate PTA parents and students came dressed to help along with many Park Hosts. Several members of the Cordillera Ranch Nature Club decorated the trails and donned costumes to scare guests along with Holly Cameo and her family and friends.

Once again H.E.B. generously donated hot dogs and buns for the evening. Local businesses, Todd's Pest Control and All Around Cleaning gave out candy in their decorated stations. Ms Harriet Bishop with her family and friends set up a great Witch's Tent, complete with cauldron, skeletons, and jack-o-lanterns.

All volunteers put in a lot of work and effort to make this a fun evening for the trick-or-treaters. A big thanks, and a whole lot of appreciation goes out to everyone who helped out. If you missed out and counldn't make the event, put it on your calendar for next year!

The Friends are always looking for more volunteers as well as suggestions for improving this event next year. Any comments or suggestions can be sent to GRSP c/o Friends Group.

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