For many years Monster Mash, a Halloween Festival held in Bogue Falaya Park, has been key to families for celebrating Halloween. This year, however, is special, as Monster Mash is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Monster Mash embodies Halloween Spirit through entertainment for adults and children alike. Local restaurants will be providing food and drink, including Chick-Fil-A, Rolling Cones Ice Cream, and Papa John’s.

One popular activity is the trick-or-treat village, in which children go around to houses that are sponsored by different groups in the community for candy. Other activities include hairspray, arts and crafts, and face painting. One of the most exclusive activities for kids is the princess & pirate party, a chance for all participants to meet their favorite princesses and pirates.

Music will be provided by bands such as the Baby and the Brassheart’s Jazz Band at 10 a.m., and Bag of Donuts at 1:30 p.m. For adults, there is a raffle with the prize of a gift basket from local stores or a family trip to New Orleans.

Tickets can be purchased on their website for $15 for children and $10 for adults. It is $20 for kids at the gate, so make sure to buy tickets online. All proceeds go to the St. Tammany Parish Hospital. The St. Tammany Parish Parenting Center says that last year up to $80,000 were raised.

The Monster Mash is an excellent opportunity to obtain service hours for St. Paul’s students if they have not earned all of theirs yet. Also, a representative from the St. Tammany Parish Parenting Center said that at least 30 students from St. Paul’s sign up each year. Some of the jobs volunteers will be doing are handing out water, helping kids with their arts and crafts, and helping to hand out candy at the trick-or-treat village.

To sign up to work at the Monster Mash go to their website at http://www.sthfoundation.org/foundation/monstermash.htm