By Linda Elissalde
It’s back! THE BIG STORE provided the greatest GHOST ON THE COAST for 2021. Everything this year seemed bigger and better. There were so many contests for participation, so many prizes to win, so many goodies to consume. Bolivar Peninsula’s weather cooperated to provide a delightfully sunny and cool evening. Imaginative children and adults dressed up in the most eclectic costumes. Many four-legged creatures also sported fancy trimmings.

Imaginative children and adults dressed up in the most eclectic costumes.

Announcers Assistant Fire Chief Jose Williams and Sharon MCCurdy of Crystal Beach Marketing, etc. etc. etc. kept all events moving right along. These included Cake Walk, Balloon Popping, Ring Toss, Ping-Pong Pumpkins, Basketball Toss, Ring Toss, Lucky Duck, Catch a Duck, and many, many more. Numerous contest leaders handed out coins redeemable for prizes at The Big Zombie Store. “We’re SMORE Fun” supplied makings for that old fashioned favorite – smores.

ACE Reporter, Linda Elissalde

Boar’s Head served up yummy hot dogs with all the fixings. Traveling Tiki gave away sodas, chips, popcorn and water. Community Church volunteers settled around their church trolley to hand out candy and medallions.

The GHOST HOUSE was so frightening that warnings were displayed at the door. “Not for faint or weak at heart” and “Not for pregnant women” were just two of several scary reminders. Nevertheless, the line waiting outside grew longer and longer.

This year’s PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST produced carvings worthy of being placed in a Pumpkin Art Gallery. These fruits were too fancy to bake in a pie. All offerings were winners with three chosen as the top contestants: 1st place-Amy Warfel, 2nd place-Shawn Pachlhofer, 3rd place-Rita West.

I stopped counting TRUNK OR TREAT entries at 20, but there were more. Never have so many displayed such varied themes with such copious quantities of candy. It must have been hard for the judges to pick just three winning trunks, but they did their duty. Winners were: 1st place-Marina Mahoney, 2nd place-Crystal Beach RV, 3rd place-Mckenn Sanders.

Along with generous Bolivar businesses, High Island, Crystal Beach, and Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Departments stood at the ready if needed. They all handed out treats to happy children and adults.

Oh! What a night. Thanks go to our Gulf Coast Market, aka THE BIG STORE for a safe and fun filled 2021 GHOST ON THE COAST!

PUMPKIN DECORATING 1st place-Amy Warfel

PUMPKIN DECORATING 2nd place-Shawn Pachlhofer

PUMPKIN DECORATING 3rd place-Rita West

TRUNK OR TREAT 1st place-Marina Mahoney

TRUNK OR TREAT 2nd place-Crystal Beach RV

TRUNK OR TREAT 3rd place-Mckenn Sanders

[Nov-2-2021]