Halloween haunt blasts off

The theme of the 22nd annual El Morro Boo Blast is “Monster Rock,” where Halloween meets music, and it’s sure to bring cheer and fear to all.

The PTA-sponsored event will take place from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. today on school grounds, and will aim to raise money for technology in classrooms, field trips and other enrichment programs including Math Challenge and Art Masters.

Kristin Bunn, fundraiser chairwoman, said organizers hope to surpass the $30,000 mark they met last year.

“With the support of the community and our sponsors, we think we can meet this goal,” she said. “Although the amount of money raised over the years as been inconsistent, the addition of the popular silent auction and sponsorship money raised has seen an increase.”

Auction items include luxurious vacation rentals, sports tickets and memorabilia, skate and skim boards, cooking baskets and spa and beach packages.

The festival will feature large carnival rides including a Ferris wheel and swings, a giant shark slide, tea cups, rock climbing wall, 16 sports-related games that will give kids an opportunity to win a goldfish and other fun prizes, a craft shack with projects for kids of all ages and a face painting and hair mania booth that will offer an array of dazzling designs.

Kids will dance in their costumes to the Cake Walk “musical chairs” game, where 30 winners will take home a whole cake. The most original and creative costumes will win prizes in the Best Costume contest.

The “backstage at American Idol” walk-through haunted house will offer even more frightening versions of the show’s judges and contestants.

“How they will make Simon Cowell any scarier than he already is will be a real trick,” volunteer parent Cheryl Smith said.

A variety of carnival delicacies including burgers, hot dogs, pizza, chili, churros, Hawaiian shaved ice, popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream will be offered throughout the day.

A bake sale of cupcakes, cookies, caramel apples and other sweet treats will also be held to raise money for the event.

Bunn said while it is assumed the PTA established what is now Laguna’s largest fundraising event, there are no records reaching that far back to confirm it.

“So many parents and community members volunteer for this event — it really does take a village to create an event of this size,” she said.

In addition to ride ticket sales, money is raised through the silent auction, sale of food and merchandise including T-shirts, jewelry, Halloween headbands and wristbands and helium balloons.

Boo Blast admission is free. Ride tickets are in 50-cent increments; rides are $2 to $6 each. Meal tickets are $8 and include a choice of main dish, chips and a drink.

Parking will be free at the Reef Point and Los Trancos lots, courtesy of Crystal Cove State Park. A free shuttle service to El Morro will be provided.