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Schools

Moulton Rocks its 33rd Annual Boo Blast

The event brings the community together while celebrating Halloween and raising money for Moulton Elementary School. This year was no exception as hundreds participated on Saturday.

Cars lined Highlands Avenue and surrounding streets as far as the eye could see on Saturday for 33rd annual Boo Blast, the school’s largest fundraiser and community carnival.

The smell of cotton candy, the screams of both terror and excitement, and music from student bands and singers all permeated the air. Moulton Hawks (both current and former) along with their parents in costume or simply in the Halloween spirit were there having fun running to the next attraction or taking solace from the hot sun in the shade with fruit-flavored shaved ice. There were many sporting fake tattoo sleeves in reference of this year’s theme, Moulton Rocks.

“This is the real deal,” said Moulton Elementary Principal Debi Culbertson over the phone a few days before. “We have real carnival rides.  It’s so much fun for the family.”

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There was a long line of children and parents waiting for the ferris wheel and the aforementioned shaved ice.  One of the most popular booths at the carnival was which allowed Moulton students to emulate Culbertson’s new hairstyle, albeit temporarily. 

“I must have started a trend,” Culbertson joked to a parent about these new hairstyles.

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“We have multiple generations here,” Culbertson said walking through the Boo Blast.  “I’ve had parents who have attended Boo Blast as youngsters, now here with their kids.”

“It started out very small, but now it has grown over the last 33 years,” said Melina Pellini, the sponsorship chairperson for the Boo Blast.  “This is the main fundraiser for Moulton PTA, which goes back to the kids.”

So where does that money go? According to Culbertson all monies go to fund primary music for kindergarteners through third grade, art masters classes, an on-site science teacher, a reading interventionist for troubled readers, field trips, and assemblies. 

“Our kids get a complete education,” Culbertson said. “Without parents this would not be possible.”

The parents of Moulton students have supported the school even through hard economic times. During last year’s Boo Blast, the PTA and Culbertson were expecting a downturn.  However, it turned out to be the most profitable Boo Blast they had at that time. 

“Families are more conscious about spending their money,” Culbertson said.  “And they wanted to support their school.”

“It’s a nice little reunion every year,” Pellini said. “Old students will come back for community service hours.” 

Any school Halloween carnival can have people dressed up in full-body Morphsuits, Star Wars characters, and animals. But why is Moulton’s Boo Blast so special and one-of-a-kind? It’s because of the community's involvement.

“It’s a Moulton fundraiser,” said Kimberly Olmstead-Carter, in charge of the raffle.  “But now it’s a city event.”

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