LITTLE ROCK — The color red is typically not associated with Halloween, but that is not the case in Sheridan, thanks in part to the Grant County Youth Board.
The group will sponsor the Red Ribbon Carnival from 5:30-9 p.m. on Monday at the Sheridan Recreation Center.
Dennis Emerson, sponsor for the Grant County Youth Board, said the carnival is set up like a mini-fair with participants being able to go from booth to booth playing games for the chance to win prizes or candy. Local businesses, churches and school groups set up and man the booths.
Another organization was in charge of the event until they dissolved and Emerson said the Youth Board just took over.
"The event has been going on as long as I can remember," Emerson said. "There are a lot of good people in Sheridan that help out."
Emerson said the Youth Board has been doing the carnival the past five or six years.
His involvement with the group began about 10 years ago when the county had four members on the Governor's Youth Board. That board was looking for ways to improve drug education for the youths of the state and give them alternatives to drugs. One of their recommendations was starting youth boards in all 75 counties.
"They came back and asked me to sponsor the group," Emerson said. "I started helping, and I've been doing it ever since."
The Red Ribbon Carnival is one of the group's major fundraising events for the year, and it helps fund activities for the group throughout the year.
"It is a safe, well-lit place to bring the kids for trick or treat," Emerson said.
Those wearing a Red Ribbon are admitted free; otherwise admission is $1. Besides the goodies and games, the Grant County Sheriff's Department will be on hand fingerprinting children, and the Hometown Health Coalition will be handing out information about healthier living habitats.
Emerson said the group stayed away from the Oct. 31 date because it falls on a Wednesday, and they didn't want to interferewith church activities.
"We'll have a lot of school clubs from Poyen and Sheridan involved as well, and should have around 20 to 25 booths," he said. "We'll have anywhere between 500 and 1,000 at the carnival for a worthwhile cause."
Though the event is less than a week away, Emerson and the group are still accepting donations to help with the carnival. Also, those organizations and businesses that want a booth are still "welcomed," Emerson said.
More information is available by contacting Emerson at (870) 917-8976.
Tri-Lakes, Pages 72 on 10/25/2007