By Linda Elissalde
What a gorgeous evening for the October 26, 2024 Big Store’s annual GHOST ON THE COAST! A brightly shining sun showcased beautiful, unique and very scary things. Count on The Big Store, aka, The Gulf Coast market to mount another successful presentation. Planning began long before the event. Employees were out early Saturday morning getting everything ready. It took many hands to create gifts and candy for sharing with all who came. Their hard work and generosity paid off with an excellently orchestrated event.
Ghouls, girls, boys, kings, queens, dinosaurs, minions and unidentifiable characters poured into this unusual world. Patrons could cakewalk, engage in competitions, explore a haunted house, visit TRUNK OR TREAT and eat enough hot dogs and candy to last until next holiday. Local businesses, public works, clubs, churches and private citizens contributed by providing food, drinks, prizes and presents. Everything was free for participants be they young, middle age, or eligible for Social Security. The Bolivar Peninsula proved again that it is a generous community. Many thanks go to all these gracious donators.
Although there were many contests most everyone received something. What an artistic bunch decorated so many interesting venues. Among the many clever TRUNK OR TREAT entrees three emerged as prize winners. Big Store’s Dee presented me with photos and list. First place went to Robin Mackey’s deathly pirate ship. Jessika Neil and cute girls won second while fearless ringleader Callie Defoe, with a sweet looking lion, placed third.
Thank you to photographers Cheryl Tweet and Linda Elissalde
The Eagles took charge of this year’s Costume Contest. What a grand, well organized group they are indeed. Chairman Terrie Riley did a fantastic job of getting all things together. Rhonda Pavlu, Satin Hamilton and Shelby Hill deftly signed up competitors. Judges Cheyane Gage, Tom Sloan and David Walker seriously approached their tasks using criteria set up for this endeavor. There were so many contenders. There were so many special costumes. James Paulu made sure that all entrees left with a bag of goodies. Winners were chosen from many outstanding entrees.
And the winners are:

0 – 4 years – 1st, Mason Carpenter as Dracula; 2nd, Emma Ganger as Princess; 3rd, Bailey White as Princess.

5 – 8 years – 1st, Colton Garrison as US soldier; 2nd Aria Gills; 3rd, Aisah Patton as Jasmine.

9 -16 years – 1st, Mary Claire Chu-Ba as Spelling Bee; 2nd, Elysa McClenern as Zombie Cheerleader; 3rd, Tinley Pelk as Taylor Swift. (Personal thank you to Elysa for carrying my chair from the grocery store to contest area.)

Adults – 1st, Callie and Sean Defoe as Lion Tamer and Lion; 2nd, April Harrison and Choodle as Gal with Dogs; 3rd, Dustin Svrcek as Forest Gump.
First place won $100 and gift. Second place received $75 and gift. Third garnered $50 and gift. These monies were donated by C4 Lawn Care, Frio Loco, Jay’s Golf Carts, Get the Net Guide Service, Nature’s Best RV Park, Crystal Beach AC/ Heating, Hydra Luminous Beauty Bar, Lawn Sharks and Seaside Lumber.
This marvelous venue ended after sunset. Decorative lights added a glowing patina while a circling drone shed green light on each passerby. Folk exiting stopped for one, or more hot dogs, from Lighthouse Krewe’s Queen Karen and King Larry at Traveling-Tiki, one more handful of candy, one more game chance, and bid farewell to old and new acquaintances. Appreciation to Cheryl and Rod Tweet for artful photography. Last, but never least, gratitude to everyone who worked so hard to create this most magical moment for KINGS and QUEENS and SCARY THINGS!
[* Please accept my apologies for any omissions or mistakes, LCE: Oct-29-2024]