While the event celebrated Halloween, for event-goers it was also a chance to celebrate community, business, and family.

The beautiful sunny weather helped to make the event a huge success, attendees said.

Lining Main Street, there was an array of people of all ages. Some passed out candy in full costume, playing music, dancing, participating in games, and winning prizes. The theme was “The Wizard of Oz”.

Six-year-old Adeline Plonsky said she was “having a great time,” playing The Flying Monkey game at one of the booths lining Main Street. She was there with her grandmother, Valerie Myrick, who said that it was a beautiful day to spend time with her grandchild.

Courtesy Photo/Barbara Woodham Debbie Vanover and Ronnie Vanover set up the van during Boo Fest on Saturday in Harrisville and are big fans of Halloween.

Harrisville residents Ronnie and Debbie Vanover set up their van on Main Street because they “just love Halloween.” Ronnie, who is originally from Kentucky, was teaching square dancing in the middle of the street.

“She gets embarrassed, but I’m gonna dance,” he said.

Benjamin Dietrich started Boo Fest five years ago with the help of Kiann Kruttlin. The idea was to let kids have fun while building stronger networks between local businesses and the communities that they serve.

Over the past five years, the event has been held in several different locations in Alcona County.

(Our) goal was to “allow communities and businesses to come together and showcase what they have to offer,” Dietrich said.

This year, the Boo Fest was organized by Alcona County Commission on Aging and held in Harrisville. Lenny Avery, executive director of Commission on Aging, said last year’s event in Lincoln saw no COVID-19 cases and he was confident that this year’s event will be “good, safe, fun time outdoors”

Commission on Aging employees Meg Rice and Shawna Morris were excited to be involved. They said it was great to build bridges between generations with events like this.

“We don’t just help senior citizens. We help all ages in the community,” Rice said.