From Rea Ave, through Main Street and heavily bleeding over into the Prescott Promenade, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, Downtown El Cajon Business Partners and the city of El Cajon showed its ghastly creativity this year at HauntFest on Main. If El Cajon keeps this up, they might think about closing down Douglas and taking the festivities over to the Ronald Reagan Center and the El Cajon Library.
From Rea Ave, through Main Street and heavily bleeding over into the Prescott Promenade, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, Downtown El Cajon Business Partners and the city of El Cajon showed its ghastly creativity this year at HauntFest on Main. If El Cajon keeps this up, they might think about closing down Douglas and taking the festivities over to the Ronald Reagan Center and the El Cajon Library.
This year’s event had so much more to offer, and a good thing, because tens of thousands of people crowded the streets for the entire evening. I have to give a big holla out to the Recreation Department and the El Cajon Police Department for such a well-organized and safe event. And more than that, it was entertaining for all ages. Everywhere you looked you saw extravagant costumes and spending what I consider a very casual night at work, speaking with people, I was not the only one having a great time.
I went with my “partner in crime,” a photographer that has worked with me for many years, and people that we spoke to came from all over East County to join the party. Doing several rounds throughout the entire event, we heard great music, watched some cute kids in the costume contest, and watched as local businesses stood outside their doors handing out candy to the little ones trick-or-treating. Speaking of costumes, there were some gruesome creations that made an old sailor cringe, and some adorable little ones dressed in their favorite character. There were a ton of Queen Elsa’s out there this year, but that was cute in itself. Mass franchising, have to love it.
There was so much to do and it took many people to get it done. Hundreds spent their evening so we could have some fun. It was enjoyable watching kids create crafts at the several booths, walking through Candy Trails and coming out of the Terror Truck. I dare say, that is one attraction I gladly skipped. Living it vicariously from the outside was fine enough for me.
There was some great entertainment on stage and watching Rubio’s kids on their street drums is always a treat. Watching the little kids costume contest, and as cute as their costumes were, it was their appearance on a stage that stole the show. Councilmember Star Bales (Ahoy, Corsair! Me thought ye were a landlubber.) and Police Chief Jim Redman were two of the people that helped judge, and I know it had to be a difficult task to choose only three winners.
All in all, HauntFest was a great success for the people and city of El Cajon and an event it should be proud of and more important, continue. At this rate, it is only going to get bigger and better. Even got to spend some time with my young Monster High girl and little Buzz Lightyear. After all, it was created for family fun and it delivered what it promised.
