Even before the party officially started at 5 p.m., hundreds of tiny princesses, goblins, fairies, and characters from movies and television had arrived at the Lehi Legacy Center for the city's sixth-annual Halloween bash.

Some 3,200 parents and children attended the party, said program director Abby Havea.

Dozens of costumed staff members and 110 volunteers from Lehi High School and Lehi Junior High School oversaw dozens of games and prizes, trick-or-treating along the second-story track, a spook alley, a sloppy joe dinner, family photos, a maze and a giant-screen movie. Tickets for children were $2.50 while parents got in free.

Occasionally the costumed volunteers were very effective. When a staffer dressed as Edvard Munch's The Scream approached Havea with a question, her 2-year-old son Maka's face melted into fear and tears. Even after the staffer removed his mask, Maka wasn't entirely trusting.

Fueled by $3,000 of Costco candy, the masses of other children gathered for the party seemed too excited to know what to do first. The city purchased the candy wholesale as part of a partnership between the Lehi Costco store, said Rose Klingonsmith, a Costco employee who ran a toss game of feed-the-giant-spider sponsored by the company where children were rewarded for accurately throwing "food" to a wheelbarrow-sized black spider.

The eerie sound of a beating heart, tolling bells and creepy music added to the ambiance at the event. A long spook alley, lit only with black lights and strobe lights, was filled with dark-cloaked volunteers wearing ghoulish masks who literally blended into the black plastic walls, only to jump out or stick a hand out to brush the face or arm of those touring the alley. So effective was the tactic that adults and children alike could be heard to cry out, though the volunteers were careful not to scare the children too much.

The spook alley was also populated by remote-controlled flying bats, and endless spider webs, which entangled guests. Spiders ranging from tiny to pumpkin-sized were everywhere.

AnnE Harrison of Saratoga Springs, whose husband, Dan, is the Legacy Center director, said the annual party has changed the way the family celebrates Halloween. She brought the family's four children to the party, dressed as a pumpkin, Laura and Mary Ingalls, and Peter from the Chronicles of Narnia.

"They love the candy of course but they really love the games," she said of her children. "I like being somewhere warm. They get so much candy here that we don't have to go very many other places on Halloween night."

LEHI NEWS BRIEFS

LCC workshop series continues -- The Lehi Community Council is sponsoring a series of free family workshops. Each workshop is held the first Friday of every Month. The Identity Theft workshop presented by the Lehi Police Department is tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Lehi City Hall, 153 N. 100 East.

LFW organizers seek volunteers -- Lehi Family Week 2006 organizers are asking for volunteers "Santas" to help with their Sub-for-Santa program. They are also looking for more families in need to include on Santa's list. More information on the Lehi Family Week activity is available from Linda Turner at 768-1102.

Lehi employee of the month -- The Lehi City employee of the month was announced at the Oct. 24 City Council meeting as being Sherrie Benson, the Lehi Police Department's victim's advocate.

Interfaith Christmas event seeks help -- The sponsors for the Interfaith Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ are looking for a volunteer to coordinate the creche display. The event will be held on Dec. 17 at the Lehi Stake Center, 200 North and Center Street from 5-9 p.m. Contact person is Phil Hitz at phil.hitz@populartfh.com.

Police soliciting donations -- The Lehi Police Department needs gray-colored exterior paint, rollers, roller covers and paint brushes for a youth court project to cover graffiti. Those interested in donating the items may contact the police station at 768-7110.

Pastor thanks community -- The Timpanogos Baptist Church Pastor Chuck Lovelady on behalf of his congregation thanked the Lehi Community Council on Oct. 19 for all in Lehi City who helped make the transition to their new location on 55 W. Main St. a smooth one. The church members had been congregating at the Best Western Timpanogos Inn on Sundays and had been looking for a permanent location for their meetings.

This story appeared in North County on page A2.