Halloween partygoers keep it local and safe

Freeport children ran around the Freeport Recreation Center with pumpkin shaped plastic pails filled with goodies on Halloween evening. While some kids busily sorted their candy and devoured cotton candy, others jumped on the mountainous Superman bounce house in the center of the basketball court.

This year, parents of children 10-years-old and younger opted to attend Halloween parties held by local organizations like the Recreation Center and at Boss Baby Daycare. According to Freeport mom, Tanya Toulme, trick or treating could be fun, but safety on Halloween night is a priority. By attending the Boss Baby Daycare party versus trekking the village for candy, her daughter Charming Lai-Fang, 7, a second grader at Leo F. Giblyn School, could play with friends and still experience the Halloween thrills.

“Though we’re going trick or treating for a bit later, “ Toulme said. “There is a balance here and because we’re celebrating indoors, we don’t have to be so concerned about the surroundings [and traffic].”

The mother of Kaelyn Jean-Raymond, 7, from New Visions School, Joanne Fortune said she was excited about local events because it also meant her daughter could catch up with friends or classmates and she could catch up with the other moms.

“The food and candy are safer for the kids,” Fortune said. “These events are the best and we’ll do it again.”