By Mary Richardson

Pony rides – plus chickens, ducks, pigs, goats, a petty pony and miniature donkey, plus Munch the Tortoise — will be part of the 7th annual Spooktacular. The fund-raising event that supports Coats for Kids will be held on Friday, Oct. 27 at Crying Eagle Brewing Company, 1165 E. McNeese St. It is led by Kiwanis Club of Lake Charles with co-sponsors Runte Lake Cleaners and Crying Eagle Brewing.

For the first time, Almosta Ranch will also provide pony rides from 5 to 6 p.m. The event lasts until 9 p.m., but the first hour will be dedicated to kids, according to LaDonna McKnight, one of the event’s organizers. The first 100 children to arrive will be given goodie bags, donated by Christina DeHart at Mosquito Joe of Lake Charles. LCB Academy will be popping and selling popcorn!

People are encouraged to bring a lightly-used or new coat of any size. Coat Donors will receive a Spooktacular glass, a drink token, and a raffle ticket for prizes. Kiwanis member Kimmie Carriaga will bring the “Poke-A-Pumpkin” raffle, which offers restaurant prizes and was a hit last year.

There will also be a silent auction and live music by Zydecane.

Spooktacular kicks off the 35th annual Coats for Kids, which supplies coats that are either new or freshly cleaned by Runte Lake Cleaners to people who need them. In addition to the coats collected at Spooktacular, collection boxes for coats will be placed at local schools and businesses.

Last year, Coats for Kids collected more than 1,000 coats and raised $30,000 for local charities. Organizations to benefit from this year’s event are Potters House, ETC Harbour House, The Lord’s Place, Boys Village, Oasis Women’s Shelter, CPSB McKenney-Vento for Homeless Children, Abraham’s Tent, Care Help of Sulphur, DeWanna’s Closet and CARC.