Halloween treat: Prankless party revived at school

History is repeating itself in La Conner.

A cherished part of local history, at that.

The La Conner Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) is sponsoring a Halloween Carnival at the elementary school gymnasium after the Oct. 31 afternoon downtown parade.

The 4-6 p.m. event will feature games, food, a photo booth, cupcake walk, costume contest and much more.

If that sounds familiar, it should.

The carnival is being spearheaded by Beth Schmittou Bowles, among many who grew up in La Conner with the town’s storied Prankless Halloween Party, which regularly packed the old high school gym.

“These community traditions help make small towns special,” she notes.

During its heyday, the La Conner Halloween Party drew families from throughout Skagit County and beyond, featuring everything from old-time apple bobbing to mini-hovercraft rides.

The party ran for decades, initially to curb Halloween vandalism, until being suspended just a few years ago.

“It had become quite an undertaking,” Bowles says.

Her idea for an initial re-launch is to stage a fairly low-key carnival, one geared to pre-K through fifth graders, but welcome to all wishing to attend.

Bowles says La Conner Middle and High School Leadership Class students will serve as carnival volunteers, along with more seasoned hands familiar with the former Prankless Halloween Party.

For Bowles and PTSA members, resurrecting a community Halloween carnival is a true labor of love.

“Since it was such a cherished memory for so many of us who grew up in La Conner,” she explains, “I wanted to spearhead an attempt to bring it back. “