Her kids grew up, but she wanted others to enjoy Halloween in Ashford

Some families in Ashford wouldn’t be able to celebrate Halloween if one local, her family and friends did not decide to start a community Halloween party.

Natasha Tannehill, hostess of the Halloween Bash, is the local that is making all of this happen along with the community’s help raising money and donating candy and small toys for allergy friendly prizes.

The annual Halloween Bash started in 2012 with the help of the Ashford Lion’s Hall. The Lion’s Hall allows Tannehill and her volunteers to use the building every year to show their support.

“This is not a Lion’s Hall event, they are generous enough to let us use the building and we appreciate it so much,” Tannehill stated in a Facebook post.

In 2012, Tannehill’s children were getting too old to trick or treat and she had other children that still wanted to celebrate.

“So I talked to my mom, Diane, and we decided to have a party for the kids and their friends with games, activities and food,” Tannehill said. “My family was and still is a big help for the bash. My mom is my biggest supporter. She helps me plan everything. This is not just my thing, it is our thing. I am not the only one who is responsible for making this happen every year, it is our whole community. We are all responsible for the joy on the kids’ faces on Halloween night.”

“It’s a wonderful way to keep the community closely knit, we are all like family,” said local resident, Leah Bridges.

“It is an amazing event Natasha and her family and friends have put on for families in our area where houses are far apart and traditional trick or treating involves a lot of driving,” commented Eve Dumovich, an Ashford resident. “They deserve all our support and thanks.”

According to some local residents, without Tannehill and her team, they would not be able to celebrate the holiday.

The Halloween bash is no easy task and involved a lot of help from other residents. Outside, the parking lot was filled with decorated car trunks. The local fire department participated also. Residents explored a haunted walk through the woods created by local resident Andrew Kistenmacher. Inside the Lion’s Hall were carnival style games, crafts and activities for the children and a lot of Halloween decorations. Throughout the night, everyone was welcome to barbequed pulled pork sandwiches and hot dogs, chips and beverages, and a lot of home made treats. Tannehill ended the night with the costume contest, the raffle and the trunk-or-treat contest while others ended their night with photos of their family that came with a picture frame refrigerator magnet. The only thing that cost the residents money was the optional $1 raffle to win a beautiful piece of jewelry.

“We are not only for the Ashford community, we are for anyone wanting to have a fun Halloween experience,” Tannehill said. “Even though we are geared more for kids, I’m encouraging everyone to participate in all the games and activities.”

This event is an opportunity for parents and kids to engage in play and have a great time celebrating without any judgements. Parents and teens alike are encouraged to play the games and participate in the activities and contests. This event is also aimed at keeping children and teenagers safe.

Every year, there will be a donation box at the Ashford Valley Grocery, 29716 WA-706, Ashford, for anyone wanting to donate to help keep children safe and parents young every Halloween. All donations received goes towards the Halloween Bash.