Thousands turn out for Spooktacular Halloween Bash

Superheroes, fairies, ghosts and vampires gathered in the thousands at the city’s Spooktacular Halloween Bash to collect candies, enjoy rides and participate in activities.

Spooktacular, held at two locations in the city on Saturday, is a yearly event sponsored by the Brownsville Police Department and local vendors who gather at the city’s two community network centers. The center in Southmost and the West Side center provided free candy, fun rides, food, drinks and entertainment for all, said police Sgt. Rolando Avitia.

"We are providing a safe alternative to door-to-door trick or treating," Avitia said. "We block off the street so people can walk freely without having to worry about cars. We have safe candy and safe activities."

Having all the activities in one place keeps children from coping with traffic and other issues that have the potential for danger, he said.

Thousands of candy bags were screened and safely stored in preparation for the event, Avitia said.

Preparations for the event took more than three months of hard work, said Officer Mike Tovar, an event coordinator at the Southmost Community Network Center.

"This is the fourth year we’ve done this," Tovar said. "We prepare for 2,500 to 3,500 people. We’ll prepare one thousand hot dogs, prepare thousands of candy bags and by the end of the night they are all gone."

Silvia Ramos, a spokeswoman with the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office, spent the afternoon dressed as the main character from the "Million Dollar Baby" movie and scooping bags of candy for the eager children who lined up outside her booth.

"This is a good way to give back to the community and it gives parents an opportunity to spend time with their children in a safe environment," Ramos said. "So far, I have seen hundreds and hundreds of children."

Taking her girls out for the event is a safe and convenient alternative, said first time visitor Cristina Mendez, who took her two daughters, Vanessa, 8, and Victoria, 4. The girls went dressed as Spider Princess and a Grumpy Snow White, respectively.

"This is so much easier," Mendez said. "We can just walk over from home. It saves gas. It saves time and you don’t have to worry as much about your kids."