2020 Goblin Gathering: a spook-filled, safe event for hundreds of local families

Cars in the drive-thru line at GT. Bray Park during the Goblin Gathering

I was thrilled that our Parks and Natural Resources Department was able to find a way to host the popular Annual Goblin Gathering during such a challenging time. This year the event was different due to social distancing and safety requirements but our Parks team and many others helped make the Goblin Gathering a huge success! G.T. Bray Park turned into a drive-thru Halloween path last Friday, Oct. 16. Instead of walking around to collect candy and look at decorations, families drove through the park and stopped by various booths. Volunteers wore masks and passed out candy through contact-free trick-or-treating.

Manatee County Neighborhood Services employee Makayla Lindecamp passes out pre-packaged bags of candy and masks to trick-or-treaters

Even though the event was different than usual, the turnout did not disappoint! Over 500 vehicles — close to 2,000 people — rode along the drive-thru path to trick-or-treat and to catch a glimpse of the spooky sets. You could hear kids and adults shouting “Happy Halloween” and “Trick-or-treat” from every car.

Costumes seen at the Goblin Gathering

There were so many wonderful costumes and smiling faces! We saw everything from cats and dogs to superheroes and young Jedi. Most of our great volunteers also wore fun or spooky costumes to make the experience even more fun.

Decorations along the drive-thru path Top left: spooky spider on the playground Bottom left: graveyard with skull Right: skeleton positioned and decorated as a famous Tik-Tok video.

In addition to candy stations, there was an incredible effort to make creative and spooky decorations throughout the park. It was so special to see kids pointing and laughing at the silly spooks posed everywhere.

Manatee County Water Conservation poses with their mascot in front of their booth

Special kudos and congratulations go out to Aedan Stockdale, our Volunteer Education Program Manager with the Parks and Natural Resources Department. This event could not have happened or been so successful Aedan’s vision, creativity and leadership. Of course he had help along the way! We had special visits from Bradenton police and fire departments and exhibitors and volunteers. Manatee County Water Conservation and our Neighborhood Services divisions were a big help on the Goblin Gathering, as well. Finally, a special thanks to the Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation, Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast, Early Learning Coalition, Honest Errands, Manatee Department of Health and Manatee County Public Library System!

To see more photos of the event, visit our county Flickr Page.