First Friday serves up a fright

Written on 10/08/2024
Patrick Munsey


Halloween theme draws hundreds to downtown for costumed celebration

This article is brought to you by Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union. 🔊 We are LOWERING FEES! That's right! We love our members and know that now more than ever...your money is YOURS! Here is what is coming your way!

Courtesy Pay and NSF Fee: We're lowering this fee from $32 to just $19. No frightful surprises here!

Small Transactions? No Problem! Say goodbye to those fees for items less than $5. It’s our way of ensuring you don’t feel the pinch.

Overdraft Transfer Fee: Consider it vanished, like a ghost in the night. We're eliminating this fee entirely!

Check your email for more, or just click here heyor.ca/wIQ32o!

#TheBigDay #LowerFees #WeLoveOurMembers #SolidarityCommunityFederalCreditUnion



First Friday celebrations in Kokomo are best known for the annual Strawberry Festival in June, but the October rendition runs a close second in terms of drawing people downtown. This year was no exception, as hundreds gathered to show off their creepy or cool Halloween costumes on Oct. 4.

The Mario Bros. and the Sanderson Sisters were all in attendance, along with the more traditional clowns, skeletons, firefighters, and princesses. And there was plenty for them all to experience. Businesses and nonprofit organizations filled the sidewalks around the courthouse to offer trick-or-treating, face painting, bounce houses, and even pumpkin carving.



The Kokomo Art Association hosted a photography exhibit, works from Peru High School students, and the Kokomo Symphony during the evening. The symphony gave patrons the rare opportunity to actually conduct the musicians as they performed. And outside of the associations Artworks Gallery, there were food trucks and games to enjoy.



The Kokomo Howard County Public Library dove into First Friday with both feet, hosting a Mad Scientist’s Laboratory. Costumed or not, the kids enjoyed making their own ice cream sundaes, playing a life-sized version of “Operation,” and participating in Halloween-themed games.



The City of Kokomo and the Kokomo Family YMCA teamed up with Versiti to bring Hoosier legend Sammy Terry to First Friday for a Halloween-themed blood drive. Participants had the chance to meet the ghoulish television host, get photos and autographs, and possibly save a life with their donation.



With less than an hour before the end of the drive, Versiti had collected 16 units of blood. The organizer of the drive stated that leaving with more blood than they arrived with is a success, but the turn-out to meet Sammy Terry did boost donations a bit.



Furthering the healthy focus, Community Howard Regional Health brought its CareMobile to the event and provided free flu vaccinations for those interested. It also had plenty of treats for those who found an injection a bit too scary for their tastes.



See additional photos from the October First Friday celebration by visiting the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.