Fry’s Marketplace Center’s Spooktacular is spectacular

Fry’s Marketplace Center’s Grand Opening Halloween celebration was, indeed, Spook-tacular. On Monday from 3 to 7 p.m. businesses throughout the center decorated their doors and windows as well as providing goodies for all trick-or-treaters.

Organizer and UPS storeowner Kathy Werner shared the reason for the event, saying, “We want to provide a fun, safe environment for the community to trick-or-treat.” That goal was certainly achieved.

Festivities began at 3 p.m. when Mayor Kelly Anderson cut the first orange,grand opening ribbon at On the Go Bistro. He continued through the center, cutting ribbons and talking with individual business owners.

Several Jack the Dogs were available at Wells Fargo Bank to provide information about kids’ savings accounts.

Deputy Daniel Lopez showed kids through his K-9 unit, but Officer Sam stayed at home. He did not want to be frightened by all the trick-or-treaters.

At Cost Cutters, trick-or treaters were able to select from a huge container of toys.

On the Go Bistro provided coupon offers for kids, Above & Beyond Nails discounted services and provided free Halloween decals with every manicure.

Other participating business were Fry’s Marketplace, Valet USA Dry Cleaning, Go Wireless, Quiznos Subs, Ramsey’s American Grill and Red Bag It!, who sponsored a costume contest at 5:30.

It was a great event and a fun afternoon at the Fry’s Marketplace Center. Trick-or-treaters will be back in even greater numbers next year.

Photos by Carolyn Struble

Little Marissa Moore, who will be two on Saturday, was happy to “bee” at the Spooktacular.

Carlton and Kathy Werner, owners of The UPS Store, wait for their store’s ribbon cutting.

The UPS Store fingerprinted all children 12 and under free of charge. Nicole Myhre fingerprints Sydney Struble.

Ashley Willard of Wells Fargo Bank and her friend, Jack the Dog, ready to answer all your banking questions.

Tim (left) and Ed Fanning watch while Mayor Kelly Anderson cuts the On the Go ribbon.

Arizona Associates in Dentistry was staffed by (left to right) Dr. “Dee Cay”, Dr. “Hal Itosis” and Dr. “Ruth Canal”.

Jimmy Bownds (left) and Timothy Schutt selling Easter Seals raffle tickets for a 2006 Mercedes Benz ML350 while Century 21’s “Singing Realtor” and DJ Karl Young (below) sets up his sound equipment.

Deputy Daniel Lopez and his K-9 unit.

Maricopa firefighter Lonnie Inskeep shows his fire truck to a fairy princess, Sydney Struble.

At Check into Cash Dawn Johansen helped attendees guess how many plastic spiders were in the jar.

Orthodontist Dr. Geoff Glovsky had his assistants Michele Nicholson (left) and Brooke Pantano put a Halloween toothbrush in each bag of candy.

Janie Vega, manager of Cost Cutters with the toy box.

Spaceman Thomas Quintana, 4, really liked the toys. So did Darth Vader, Riley Nielson, age 3.

State Farm’s Good Neigh Bear waves to the trick-or-treaters.

Ryker Conrad, 11 months, wanted no part of a costume contest, especially in the Dumbo outfit — which was his mom’s idea.