Looking for a safe, family-friendly way to celebrate Halloween? Well, the Hernando County YMCA has your bases covered, most literally! The YMCA’s Third Annual Boo Bash: Trick or Treat Around the Bases fund-raiser is set to take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, at 1300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.
As a part of this unique variation of the classic ‘trunk or treat’ concept, kids will be invited to trek the bases of the YMCA’s popular baseball field—’scoring’ their fill of goodies for a guaranteed home run of an evening—one open to the entire community.
“Trick or treat around the bases for this Halloween event at the Hernando County YMCA!” invited Lauren Owens, youth programs director at the Hernando County YMCA. “We will have several decorated trucks loaded with goodies.”
A group of devoted volunteers representing various Hernando agencies and businesses will distribute these treats. “On hand will be representatives from our YMCA staff, our YMCA Volunteer Advisory Council, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Family Chiropractic and other local companies,” said Owens. “They’ll be manning the trucks for kids and families to trick or treat.”
Ah, but this particular Halloween event offers far more than treats for participating families. “We’ll offer game stations, face painting, Halloween arts and crafts, a parent trick or treat table, and photo backdrop opportunities!” said Owens. “Games we will have will be corn hole, ring toss, spooky limbo, base races, spooky freeze dance and a few surprises! The adult trick-or-treat table will have specialty Lindt chocolate for adults!”
YMCA administrators feel that the facility’s popular sports field was the ideal location for this year’s special trunk or treat event.
“This event is held on our baseball field, which we found was the safest location so that children and families do not need to worry about being anywhere near the parking lot, and kids can run in a fenced-in safe location,” said Owens.
Indeed, in more ways than one, family is the focus of the Boo Bash event, a fund-raiser whose proceeds will help ensure that more kids can participate in and benefit from the many beneficial programs and services available at the Hernando County YMCA. “Our event is a fundraiser for our youth programs department as well as our school-age before and aftercare programs; we are partnering for this event,” said Owens. “The cost for the event is $3 per person, and all the proceeds go to assist families who may not be able to afford youth sports, youth after-school classes, swim lessons and before and after-school care!”
According to an organizational website, “After-school programs at the Y provide a safe place for kids to learn, grow and thrive.” (https://www.ymcasuncoast.org/locations/hernando-county-branch).
This event marks the continuation of a thriving Halloween tradition at the Hernando County YMCA. “We raised just over $500 last year, and 170 people attended!” said Owens. “We are hoping to double that this year to serve more families in the community!”
For more information about the YMCA’s Third Annual Boo Bash: Trick or Treat Around the Bases fund-raiser, visit the Hernando County YMCA at 1300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill, FL, or call (352) 688-9622.
