A friendly trick or treat

October images fill the streets of Bloomington in preparation of one "spooky" event -- Halloween. Brown, orange and yellow leaves lie helplessly in the road, while scarecrows and paper witches crowd the windows of neighbors down the street. A mixture of children and college students run from door to door, dressed in costume and fighting for every last bit of candy in town. \nBut when light becomes scarce, sometimes parents worry about their kids trick-or-treating in the evening and the pranks of cruel teenage kids that might endanger their safety. \nThis is what Jayne Averitt had in mind when she created the idea of "Boo Bash" last year. \n"(The IU Auditorium), Insight Communications, and other non-profit companies (for this event) wanted to find a safe alternative for kids 12 and under to enjoy a safe Halloween," Averitt said. "We thought of the idea in light of 9/11 as a way to get these kids off the streets and enjoy the day in a safe environment."\nThe second annual "Boo Bash" is hosted by the IU Auditorium to allow small kids and their parents enjoy a safe Halloween experience. "Boo Bash" is free and will be held tonight from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the IU Auditorium. There will be free parking in the Jordan Avenue parking garage across from the back of the Auditorium.\nA committe was established to prepare for this year's event. It includes Averitt from the Auditorium, Maria Talbert from the IU School of Music, Janice Skinning from the Bloomington Area Arts Council, Tom Boscher from Insight Communications, Paul Kasselman from Hirons and Company (who created posters for the event), and Jennie MackInday and Terri McAuley from B97. \n"Boo Bash" took about six months to prepare, most of the work dealing with advertising, sponsors, and themes for the event. \n"We had to brainstorm ideas to keep the kids entertained. We didn't want to do so much that the kids couldn't partake in all of it," McAuley said. "We wanted to make it so that all ages could come."\nApproximately 3,000 kids (ages 12 and under) and their parents are expected to come and enjoy the festivities the Auditorium has to offer. Trick-or-treating will be held in the lobby at the booth stations, with all candy being donated by Kroger. Two IU students will be juggling for entertainment, and Wonderlab will be holding a special exhibit. \n"Wonderlab will have a ball that the children can touch and when they touch it their hair will raise up, like with static," Averitt said. "The John Waldron Center will be providing art classes for children and the Oliver Winery will be donating pumpkins so that the children can decorate them." \nThere will also be face painting and a few B97 associates will be handing out temporary tattoos.\nThe theme for this year's event is "Hallway of Horrors and Haunts." This hallway will be located on the second floor of the Auditorium and will include a coffin room filled with spiderwebs and black lights, a witches-brew room where three witches will be making a concoction of sorts, a cemetery and a room where three witches will be telling fortunes. \nAveritt insisted these rooms are "child-friendly," so little kids will not be scared away by the scenes. About 50 IU students volunteered dress up in costume during "Boo Bash" to either be props for the Hallway of Horrors and Haunts or to simply be ushers escorting parents and their children. \nAlso, kids and their families are able to register for prizes. About $2,000 worth of prizes will be given out by simply registering to win. \nThe Auditorium will be giving out free tickets to see CATS and Cinderella, the IU School of Music will be giving out tickets to their events, Insight Communications will be giving out free high-speed internet, the Herald-Times will be giving out toys, and B97 will be handing out tickets to events, books about haunted places in Indiana, CD's, t-shirts and videos. \n"In the family prize packages there will be something that each person in the family will enjoy," Mackinday said. \nEach child in the Monroe County School District received a flier about "Boo Bash" and each of the 17 sponsors of this event promoted "Boo Bash" as well. For example, B97 has had announcements regarding "Boo Bash" on its station. \nAveritt said the event is a great example of our college campus creating a bond with its outside community. \n"Last year it was so nice to see the innocence on the faces of these children," Averitt said. "It was a good time and a good experience"