By Collette Hayes | [email protected]

Spooky goblins, spine-chilling skeletons and beautiful princesses held out bags and plastic pumpkins to receive prepackaged treats as they visited festive booths at Holladay City Hall Oct. 27 for Spook Lot, an annual spooktacular community event filled with games, face painting, tricks and treats and more.

Holladay Spook Lot is an annual Halloween event sponsored by Holladay City, Holladay Youth Council, and the Unified Police Department Holladay Precinct. Stephanie Carlson, Holladay City recorder and Drew Quinn, Holladay City councilmember, serve as advisors to the Youth Council to plan and organize council events during the year.

According to Carlson, Holladay Spook Lot was originally created by the Holladay Youth Council and is the largest event they sponsor all year and is a way to gather the community together for a fun and safe Halloween event. The youth council starts organizing the event in September and are responsible for setting up as well as running the booths.

“Together as a committee we organize the event, select a date and the games to be included at Spook Lot, and then the youth take responsibility for running most of the event,” Carlson said.  “This year, the youth council organized a raffle for the event and visited businesses to collect donations. Face painting is something new the council girls organized this year, and it has really been a huge hit.”

A playlist of Halloween music filled the atmosphere as youth council members welcomed hundreds of children to their booths, which included pumpkin bowling, a straw maze and a fishing pole and spider web game. Holladay Mayor Rob Dahle, dressed as Dr. Seuss, once again this year ran a booth and served up a helping of fake “kitty litter” to those brave enough to try the treat.

“We’ve had a wonderful turn out this year, and I’m really happy with the Holladay Youth Council and all of their hard work,” Carlson said. “Each year we usually have between 300 to 500 people attend. It’s community building to see the youth of Holladay so involved with the children at Spook Lot. We’re always concerned about the weather, but this year it has been pretty warm and nice. Also, it’s great to have the Unified Police Department Holladay Precinct and Unified Fire Authority Station 104 show their support and come out to the event and participate with us.”

According to Quinn, Holladay Youth Council members learn to serve and support their community, experience firsthand how local government works and develop leadership skill in organizing and leading community events. The council is open to all Holladay youth grades nine through 12. Each year, 20 to 25 applicants are accepted to serve.

“Holladay Youth Council members learn about local city government,” Quinn said. “Last year, Judge Chin from the Holladay Justice Court came in to speak to the council. Also, the council participates in a service project in December as well as other service projects throughout the year. We encourage the youth of Holladay to fill out an application and serve on the council. In the spring, applications will be available online and at the Holladay City reception desk.”

For more information about applying for and participating on the Holladay Youth Council call or email Stephanie Carlson at 801-527-2454 or email [email protected].