A Very Southport Halloween

Tue, 11/02/2021 - 8:45am

    Southport Island Association hosted “A Very Southport Halloween” at Robinson's Wharf Oct. 31 for the town’s first Halloween kickoff party in years. There were games, fortune telling, stringed doughnut bobbing and a chili contest with eight recipes. Trick-or-treaters received a map showing 25 homes participating in handing out candy.

    Said SIA’s Alice Mutch, “Southport Island Association wanted to reach out to the community and bring back that old tradition of families coming together and having a place to go before Halloween.”

    SIA’s Ashlea Tibbetts said the event could not have happened without the help of members Sandra Seifert, Laura Blake and Eden Climo and many others who came together last minute to finalize details. “The Robinson's staff that was there – Rachel Leeman, Andrea Hallinan, Catherine Tracy, Chef Jacob Dushuttle, and Greg Roth – not only donated their time, but also any tips that were earned … They helped push us along and get the things done we needed to. They were really big helps ...”

    Tibbetts said Sarah Sherman McGrail lent the decorations she used to use for the party and also shared stories of the original Halloween parties from her youth. She said she was especially grateful for all the families who brought their children around the island for trick-or-treating. “We know it's not the easiest thing to get in and out of the car so many times, but people were just absolutely thrilled to have trick-or-treaters on the island again. Their efforts are more than appreciated.”

    Mutch said the idea behind the chili contest was to get more community involvement while providing some sustenance before hitting the road for treats. The chili smorgasbord also included hot dogs and macaroni and cheese for those who could not handle the heat, she said. Initially an event set as a jumping off point for trick-or-treaters to orient the journey for their evening’s bounty, the party doubled as a fundraiser for the Southport Community Project, Mutch said. Over $200 was raised. Tibbetts and Mutch thanked Newagen Seaside Inn and Southport General Store for providing gift certificates for contest winners.

    “The proceeds from any donations are going to this project,” said Mutch. “SIA has been giving outreach to the community for the last year during COVID with funds that came from members ... We did four or five dinners during that stretch and now this is the beginning of a new season to engage the children so they have more opportunity.”

    Said Tibbetts, “I'm still in somewhat of a blur of disbelief that it seems as though we pulled it off successfully (but) we already have the wheels turning for next year with hopes that it will grow and continue as a tradition.”