by Natasha Khairullah
Staff Writer
This Halloween, Jacksonville families will have more to choose from than just the average trick-or-treating. Much more.
The 2nd annual Halloween Doors & More Gala, which will benefit Community PedsCare — a pediatric palliative and hospice care program for children with life-threatening conditions — is Oct. 14, from 3-8 p.m. at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds Exhibition Center.
This year’s gala promises to be an even more spectacular event than last year’s, which raised approximately $425,000 for the organization.
Like last year, the bash will have something to offer for everyone, aside from the main spectacle of nine “Fantasy Doors.” From a medieval castle to The Old Woman in the Shoe, the 14 feet high and 8 feet wide doors will provide a trick-or-treating experience like no other. Instead of candy, each child will receive magical toys at each Fantasy Door.
The ninth door is a new addition to the collection and will be 37 feet long and 15 feet high. The door will lead to a toy factory where at five different work stations kids can create their own blueprint for a special toy that will be given to them by a magician inside the factory.
Kathy Greene, co-chair for the decoration committee for the event along with Gail Cassala, helped develop the concept for the gala and designed the Fantasy Doors.
“This door will be a very interactive one,” said Greene, noting the Pizzazz Corporation, Beazer Homes and David Weekly Homes all helped build the toy factory door while the St. Joe Company built the doors from last year.
“The builders all donated their time and energy and resources and materials and they went above and beyond what I could have ever imagined,” said Greene.
“This event is not about an individual group or person, it’s a celebration of the children.”
There will also be a “Miniature Mansion Village,” home to four life-sized playhouses that will eventually be auctioned off for those who want their own backyard getaways as well as “Magical Meet & Greet Streets” that provide a special opportunity for kids to meet their favorite characters, get signatures for their autograph books and take photographs.
Other features include Candyland’s candy bar and salon and theatrical face painting. The “Trick-or-Treat Theater,” an entertainment zone that will feature magicians, jugglers and acrobats, a “Monster Mash Family Disco” and for the adults, the “Ghostbusters Grown-up Grotto,” the cool hangout for grown-ups complete with cocktails and refreshments.
“This is an amazing event. It’s really like nothing you’ve ever seen before,” said Amy Davis, donor relations officer at the Community Hospice Foundation, adding the event sold out quickly last year and expects the same this year.
“Last year, about 1,200 people. This year, we had to set a limit of a maximum of 1,800,” continued Davis.
Admission for adults is $100 and $50 for children under 12. Family sponsorship opportunities are available. costumes are encouraged for both adults and children.
Sponsors include: The Petway Family Foundation, The Weaver Family Foundation, Wachovia Bank, PRI Productions, Jacksonville Greyhound Racing, The Lazzara Family Foundation, The DuBow Family Foundation and several other private individuals.