Two dance groups host pre-Halloween Carnival
More than 300 show to participate in contests, festive family activities
In a combined effort by the Xaadas Git' a láng (Children of the Haida) Dance Group and the Lda Kut Naax Sati' Yatx'i (All Nations' Children) Dance Group, more than 300 people attended Thursday's Halloween Carnival at the Tlingit & Haida Community Center.
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"The event was pulled together to bring children from the community together for a fun family event," said organizer Linda Carroll. "We wanted to have activities that young children would enjoy and just give the families an opportunity to bring their children somewhere that was safe where the kids could wear their costumes and just have fun."
Group leaders Linda Carroll, of Children of the Haida, and Soboleff, of All Nations' Children, said the center was very crowded.
"There many volunteers from the two dance groups and local community organizations were very supportive," Soboleff added.
The dance groups received sponsorship from Sealaska Corp., Tlingit & Haida Central Council, Tlingit & Haida Community Council and the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium.
Costume contest categories were 0 to 5 years, 6 to 10 years and 11 to 15 years.
"There was a lot of participation in those contests," Soboleff said. "It was fun to see all the kids in costume."
The event also included a silent auction and door prizes; pie-eating, pumpkin-carving and dessert contests; a fish pond; and tables for Halloween bag-decorating, cupcake decorating and making necklaces out of Fruit Loops. Volunteers also gave away candy, toothbrushes donated by SEARHC Dental and children's books. Food for sale included Indian tacos, fry bread and hot dogs.