By: Angelina Banda

Many city departments including Public Works, Community Services and Administrative Services worked hard to weave a web of wonder for children and parents alike at this year’s City Hall-oween event. City departments came together to create 11 magical landscapes of make believe for visiting trick or treaters and their families from Menlo Children’s Center’s Preschool and After School Programs. The 145 children paraded through the different city departments enjoying the beautiful Burgess Campus and sunshine. Each of the participating departments were decorated by themes and manned by the theme’s characters who handed out candy. As the children traveled along the route, taking in the eye candy and collecting real candy, they were able to meet real life heroes from the Game of Thrones at the Police Department and then their favorite make believe Super Heroes at the City Manager’s Office, even Lego Batman stopped in to wish the trick or treaters a safe and silly Halloween. After all the participants trekked through Candyland (aka Community Development) and journeyed to Sesame Street (Arrillaga Gym) where they met Big Bird and the gang, they thwarted Bowser and escaped his castle in Super Mario World (Arrillaga Recreation Center) to end their parade at the City Council Chambers. Here they voted for their favorite department decorations and costumes – which happened to be the Engineering Division’s convincing rendition of Hogwarts Castle. This “Spooktacular” event was a great success thanks to all the city employees and departments that worked together to create a whimsical and exciting experience for the children to enjoy.