In order to provide an educational and safe environment for children to trick-or-treat, Ronald Cox, a volunteer, said that the National Ranching Heritage Center’s 6th Annual Heritage Halloween event is the place to get both.
Emily Arellano, the coordinator of Heritage Halloween, said the event attracted 4,000 participants last year, and she estimated that around 1,200 people would come to the event this year.
One hour after opening, she said over 700 trick-or-treaters had come through the doors. The total count was not available at the end of the night due to participants still leaving the event. Arellano said she believes the weather may have been a factor in the lower turnout.
Elizabeth Bohm, a junior electronic media and communication major from Giddings, Texas, volunteered with her honor society, Gamma Beta Phi, at the event. She said she worked at the hayride taking tickets and helping people onto the trailer.
“I am slightly disappointed that I did not get to hand out candy,” Bohm said. “However, I am glad that I still got to see all the children in their costumes.”
Children and their parents strolled through the various locations around the National Ranching Heritage Center while collecting candy and munching on kettle corn while others made crafts in the barn or played to win baked goods at the cake walk.
Marshall Allen, a participant who brought his grandchildren to the event, said he believed this event is very educational and added his own personal knowledge of the structures.
“It just so happens that I knew a man that lived in that Matador dugout,” Allen said. “He was an old cowboy and he would tell us stories about his cowboy days.”
Allen said he plans to bring his grandchildren to the event for as many years as possible.
Sheon Montgomery, a volunteer dressed in period clothing and handing out candy, said she thinks this event is beneficial to the volunteers as well as the children.
“I volunteer at a lot of the events,” Montgomery said. “So as far as, historically, how old some of the candy is for me, too, it is a lot of fun.”
Cox, a professor of electrical engineering at Texas Tech, said he brings his international students to help at the event in order for them to experience traditions in the United States.
Twyla Jackson, a recent Lubbock Christian University graduate, said she and her parents brought foreign exchange students they were hosting. She said she benefited educationally as much as they did.
“I think it helps me realize how far along we have come in history,” Jackson said. “It helps me appreciate history more.”
by Sydnee Gatewood
Contributed to The Hub by Jour 3312
About Sydnee Gatewood
