Nearly 2,000 people walked through the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center on Monday night for the Okeechobee Halloween Extravaganza, put on by the Rotary Club of Okeechobee and Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney in Okeechobee. From 4pm to 5:30pm, the Agri-Civic Center was filled with over 30 businesses and groups within our community setting up tables and tents with plenty of candy and games in preparation for children (and adults) in costume. The gates opened at 6pm with a line out to the field where kids were free to walk through the center and collect candy, after they announced “trick or treat” of course.
The event has been hosted by another community group in the past but when they closed back in April, Michelle Miller of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney got with the Rotary Club to make sure that this event was still going to happen. “It’s so important to provide a safe place for the children and their families in the community to come celebrate the holiday. The event is accessible for everyone, it’s completely free, and there’s no traffic for parents and guardians to worry about,” says Miller. “We had a great law enforcement presence with both the City of Okeechobee Police Department and the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Department handing out candies to everyone,” Michelle Miller continued.
Melisa Jahner, Past President and Current Treasurer of The Rotary Club of Okeechobee, said “We couldn’t have done this event without the support of some amazing sponsors. We’re so grateful for everything they do for this community and can’t wait to see what next year brings for us and this event!” Sponsors included: Lake Okeechobee News, WOKC True Country Radio, Nunez Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Fast Break, Compass Health, Treasure Coast Hospice, Sign Guy, Lilies House of Joy, Gilbert’s Chevrolet, M & M Auto Brokers, BMJ Towing, and the Indiantown Chamber. A special shout out to the Children’s Services Council of Okeechobee for a grant to cover half of the candy purchased for the event.
“The event had a great turnout of not only families within Okeechobee, but the businesses and groups who came out to give candy and play games,” says Jessica Grassi of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney. “I’m really excited to see how big we can make it next year with the support of the community and the volunteers that have already reached out asking to help again,” she continued. If you’re interested in participating in the Okeechobee Halloween Extravaganza next year, please reach out to Jessica Grassi at Jessica@flainjurylawyer.com to be added to an email list.
