On Saturday Oct. 26, Murdale and Friends of Carbondale Community Dog Parks hosted Safe Howl-O-Ween. The event had a bounce house, hayrides, a pet costume contest, food and lots of costumes.

“Everyone’s just having a really good time and the weather is awesome. I see cookies and cotton candy coming this way and hot dogs coming this way,” Siri LeBaron, employee of Neighborhood Co-Op, said.

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At the event, many booths were open with food and candy. The businesses in Murdale shopping center had workers outside handing out candy as well as at the cash register.

“All the stores participate and give treats to the kids. We’ve seen so many cool costumes. Spider-Man has been the number one costume so far, lots of minecraft too,” LeBaron said.

There were activities for families, kids and dogs alike to participate in, including photo opportunities and costume contests.

“We’ve got hayrides. They have a bounce house, the climbing wall and lots of cool stuff. There’s just festivities happening all up and down the street,” LeBaron said. “We’ve seen some awesome family costumes and everybody’s just having a really good time. It’s really good family fun.”

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The Carbondale Farmers Market was also being held as the event was happening. It is located in the Murdale Shopping Center and happens weekly on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“It’s great because it happens at the same time as the farmer’s market. It’s a cool thing going on and it’s fun to interact with the community,” LeBaron said.

One of the booths at the event was hosted by Southern Illinois Health’s (SIH) mission and values team. They came to boost morale in the community and give out goodies to everyone.

“We work with SIH, we’re on the mission and values team. We do a lot of outreach, fundraisers and programs for the greater community, not just the hospital. We do a lot of work for morale within the hospital too. COVID decimated the community, we’re kind of bringing out the morale within the hospital system,” ICU unit coordinator Chris Builderback said.

At the booth the organization had a life-size operation game for kids to play. As a reward, the kids could go up to the table and take a squishy toy.

“So we’re out here today and we’ve got a live operation board game,” Builderback said. “The kids are loving it so far. We’ve got our patient with candy. We’ve got to get rid of some of that candy inside him.”

Carbondale Community Dog Parks was located behind the SIH booth where attendees could sign their dog up for the costume contest or take a picture with their dog in front of the backdrop.

“I am not from here but I came with my friends for the dog costume contest. I dressed my dog, Baby, up as a hot dog,” said attendee Emma Brown.

Owners could sign their dogs up for the costume contest under four categories which had a first and second place winner. One winner was a corgi dressed up as a Target shopping cart under the funniest and most clever category.

“Some of the costumes are hilarious, it’s so fun to see so many dogs dressed up in costumes. Everywhere you look you can see dogs dressed up in the craziest costumes like other animals,” Brown said.

Other categories included scariest costume, cutest costume and owner and pet dress-up duo. Two dogs dressed up as a cow and a chicken with their owner dressed as a farmer won the duo category.

“Even though my dog didn’t win, it was still fun to dress her up and take her out to see all the kids. She has gotten so much love from all of the little kids here,” Brown said.

The proceeds from the costume contest and photos went to The PetSafe Carbondale Community Dog Park to purchase poop bags and keep their parks clean. The dog park is located at 2500 W Sunset Dr.

“Baby loves the dog park so I’m excited to take her to the one here,” Brown said.

For food options, Carbondale Crime Stoppers were at the event serving hot dogs, burgers, chips and drinks for people to buy. They were grilling them at the event to be served fresh. The organization is crime fighting and prevention based throughout the State of Illinois. There were also options for popcorn, nachos, cotton candy and of course, candy.

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