Contributed photo
Scenes from LEAP's Oct. 25 halloween fest at the Q.
The following writeup was submitted by Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership, Inc. (LEAP) Communications Director Melissa Liriano, about a Halloween festival at the Q House last Friday.
The Dixwell Community “Q” House was decorated from top to bottom with spooky decor on Friday, Oct. 25, as over 400 children, teenagers, and parents gathered for the LEAP & Q House Halloween Festival.
From 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Q House was transformed into a haven of Halloween fun, with an array of activities for all ages.
Creativity flourished throughout the Q House, where children were captivated by the Halloween Arts & Crafts station, mesmerized by the magic show, and grooved to Caribbean dance rhythms.
In addition to candy, children also had the chance to take home new books thanks to the book giveaway facilitated by LEAP, the Q House, New Haven Reads, and New Haven’s Chief Administration Office.
More than a dozen members of community organizations filled the Q House gym with all kinds of Halloween-related activities, giveaways, and games for kids, including the Yale Peabody Museum SciCorps, where kids could touch a boa constrictor skin or make bracelets with Experience Camps of Westport.
Additionally, several local vendors, such as V’s Accessories, Auntie Sheelah, Mommakiss, and I am Moisture attended to showcase their unique offerings. There was even an on-site 360 photo booth so participants could capture the memories made that night!
Outside, the energy was just as vibrant thanks to DJ Herman Ham and the talented artists and music groups who performed for the community. These artists include Melting Pot Rhythms, Noah!, and former LEAP Director of Children’s Program Kenneth Notarino-Jeffrey’s fraternity organization Latina América Unida, Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc. The Plaza was filled with children and their families line dancing, singing along, and even playing in a drum circle.
A highlight of the evening was the designated neighborhood candy trail for trick-or-treating. This safe and secure route, monitored by the New Haven PD, allowed children and parents to enjoy the thrill of trick-or-treating without any worries. Community members from neighboring Monterey Place volunteered to distribute candy from their homes that had been donated to LEAP, demonstrating the strong sense of New Haven community spirit.
The event was a resounding success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of volunteers such as LEAP Alum Sheena Postell and Booker T. Washington Academy Teacher Kenneth Joseph, candy donors, LEAP counselors, and the LEAP & Q House staff. The festival evoked a sense of togetherness, creating a safe and enjoyable Halloween experience for all.
“We were thrilled to see so many families come together and celebrate Halloween at the Q House,” said Angelina Campos, Deputy Director of the Dixwell Q House. “The event truly showcased the power of community and the joy of giving back.”
Special thanks to Yale Pediatrics, the Yale New Haven Hiring Initiative, the Community Action Agency of New Haven, the Yale Peabody Museum SciCorps, the New Haven Bird Club, the New Haven Early Childhood Council, and Experience Camps of Westport, CT, who contributed to the diverse and engaging indoor experience inside the Q House gym!
