Sunday, multitudes of juvenile monsters, mythical creatures, and a mixture of contemporary pop culture icons of video games and cartoons filled the Jasper Public Library for the growing annual Halloween Bash.
According to Library Director Christine Golden, the event has been a successful way to introduce more people to the library and its services. It has grown annually, and after more than 400 children attended last year’s event, Golden explained they decided to reach out to area nonprofits to take part to help bring awareness to their missions while having some fun.
This year doubled last year’s attendance, with more than 900 parents and children flowing through the line of fun games, prizes and, of course, candy handouts provided through 20 local nonprofits.
Avery Hedger, 3, of Jasper, dressed as Bluey, took a turn at stacking rolls of toilet paper with grandma Dawn Killian cheering her on. The activity was provided by Holy Trinity—photos by Matthew Crane.
Dinosaur wrangler Gavin Lechner, 3, of Jasper, took a turn playing some inflatable bowling in the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center on Sunday.
Paula Marshall, dressed as a spooky witch, poked her head out to dare a child to reach into her mysterious cauldron for a prize at the Psi Iota Xi Zeta Mu Chapter of Jasper booth.
From left – Chicken wrangler Max Matuszak, 6, of Petersburg, Marshmellow Ayden Goller, 8, of Jasper and lioness Adeleigh Kinder, 4, of Jasper, took a turn with the Purdue Extension candy pumpkin catapults. Max was ready with a chicken joke if asked. What does the rooster eat on Halloween? Candy corn.
Ninja Brooklyn Jellison, 8, of St. Anthony, took a turn on Toy, the training horse provided by Freedom Reins in Jasper.
Pirate Matthew Pennington of Huntingburg took a moment to research a little gunsmithing while his pirate family made its way around the library.
Lucy Greulich, 10, of Jasper, took a turn at guiding an “eyeball” into a bucket by blowing through a straw. It took a few turns, but she was successful on this run.
The library was packed with kids, parents and volunteers.
Rowen Lechner, 10, of Jasper, dressed as The Imposter from the popular game “Among Us,” squeezed through the entrance to the Jasper Public Library.
Superman Chase Graber, 19 months, of Otwell, took a turn at candy pumpkin launching with help from his mom, Kasadie.
Angelic Liz Kisellus, 7, of Jasper, gave a Godzilla-clad Fred Schipp, five on her way through the line at the Jasper Library. Schipp was there for the Dubois County Humane Society.
