Fire hall stokes 'spirited' Halloween

Spirited ghouls and ghosts found their way to the annual Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD's "Halloween at the Fire Hall" bash on Sunday evening, continuing a popular

Sisters tradition for its 15th year.

Weary from long blocks of candy accumulation, trick-or-treaters stopped by the fire station for a night of games, holiday snacks and prizes while showing off their All Hallow's Eve disguises with friends and family.

Lovely witches passed out glow sticks and bracelets to each child and a special orange card to mark off party games such as the Splatter Sponge, Ring Toss, Spin the Wheel and Haunted House maze.

The array of costumes was endlessly creative and original. Little Red Riding Hood in a velvet cape gathered candy and prizes at each game station, arm in arm with a regal Princess

Leia of Star Wars fame, sporting her trademark hair-rolls and flowing white gown. Legions of witches, mummies, werewolves and zombies collected oatmeal and sugar cookies, gobbled mini Snickers bars and drank fruit punch poured from a black cauldron, then lined up to enter the Haunted House and get their game cards crossed off.

Captain Gary Lovegren, one of the station's shift commanders, is director of the yearly Halloween event. He stood watch over the festivities in a pirate hat

and gruesome bloody makeup.

"The kids keep asking me what happened and I tell them I was running in the dark. So, the lesson is - don't run in the dark," warned Lovegren. "It's nice having the party back. We started it back in 1996 and had to skip last year because it was peak flu season and thought it unwise having all the children together in one place. Everybody loves it. It gives a nice safe environment for kids to come

and play for awhile. We do it as a community event to show our appreciation to them. Turnout is strong; we had close to 300 people so far."

Over near the Haunted House, paramedic Jeff May stood watch at the entrance mouth and ushered brave souls into the darkened maze.

"They can order it up extra scary, scary or not-so-scary," he said, ducking a flying wet sponge. "We had one group of junior high school girls that went through six times already. I see so many of the same kids growing up year after year."

One of the game favorites was the Splatter Sponge, where contestants hurled dripping sponges at an unfortunate fireman in full gear and eye shield. A puddle of water formed in the corner as errant sponges smacked against windows and walls.

When asked what qualifications a firefighter needed for this particular game, May replied, "the short straw."

Parents got into the Halloween spirit and accompanied their kids in some outrageous outfits of their own, including Raggedy Ann in a gas mask, a Ninja Knight, and an Oregon Ducks Troll. Marsha Marr, in a lusciously plump Miss Piggy outfit, worked the face-painting table and

was enjoying watching

the kids and carrying around her Kermit the Frog companion.

"This is my first time here and I'm doing the face painting. It's going pretty good," she said. "Miss Piggy doesn't wear glasses, so next year I'll have to practice a bit more."

Dressed in a psychedelic clown costume complete with rainbow tie and matching pants, Robert McLean of Camp Sherman brightened the entire room courtesy of his vibrant attire.

"I wanted to add some color to a gray day," he joked. "It's so great they're doing this again. The kids all really love it."

On Friday, firefighters, volunteers and their families held a pumpkin carving night to provide the jack-o-lanterns seen glowing on tables around the equipment bay area.

Frankenstein hosted a Wheel of Fortune game where kids spun a wheel and answered fire safety questions for a prize bag.

Hunter Spor, 7, in a frightening wolfman mask and hairy paws, answered his question correctly about the right thing to do

when you find matches or a lighter. Kinzi Erin, 12, strolled the floor in a stark white dress and pale, powdered face.

"I'm the White Queen from Alice in Wonderland," she explained. "This is fun. We're going trick-or-treating later. I like the scary parts of Halloween most. I went into the Haunted House and I wasn't very scared. I might go in again."