Trick-or-treaters of every ability will descend on Lakeview Hospital grounds in Covington this Saturday for Boo Fest, an inclusive Halloween celebration that opens its gates early for families of children with disabilities before general admission begins. The event, hosted by ACCESS Louisiana, has been described as one of the nation's largest inclusive Halloween celebrations, blending trick-or-treating, games, music and food into a single family-friendly morning.
Families with children with special needs will get access at 9 a.m., ahead of paid general admission starting at 10 a.m., according to David Holloway in comments reported by WGNO. Families of children with disabilities also receive free admission during that early window, per the same report, before paid entry opens to the public. The event is organized by ACCESS Louisiana, which the station notes has visited local media to promote the annual gathering.
Once the gates fully open, Boo Fest features entertainment, games, arts and crafts, music, a DJ costume contest, food and candy, Holloway said. The Mande Milkshakers are slated to appear, according to the same account. Children of all abilities will be able to easily access the trick-or-treat houses along a paved walking path, according to ACCESS Louisiana, which also describes games designed specifically for trick-or-treaters of all abilities.
Admission Price Remains Unsettled Between Sources
Exactly how much it costs to get in after the free early-access window is a bit murky. ACCESS Louisiana's own event page and the Northshore Community Foundation's page for the ACCESS Fund list the gate fee at $2. WGNO's report, citing Holloway, puts admission at $3 per person starting at 10 a.m. The sources give conflicting prices.
Boo Fest is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31, with a rain date of Sunday, Nov. 1, should weather force a postponement, according to the Northshore Community Foundation. The event is open to children of all abilities even though it primarily benefits children with disabilities and their families, the organization notes.
Funds Support Families Beyond Insurance Coverage
Behind the costumes and candy, Boo Fest functions as ACCESS Louisiana's signature annual fundraiser. The organization raises money to provide financial grants to families of children with disabilities, funding adaptive equipment, assistive devices, and home, car and van modifications that are not covered by private insurance or Medicaid. Holloway said in the WGNO interview that ACCESS had raised more than $100,000 for families since 2010.
The ACCESS Fund operates as a fund of the Northshore Community Foundation, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Boo Fest itself has grown substantially over the years; it has drawn nearly 10,000 attendees annually and featured more than 70 trick-or-treat houses and castles, according to past reporting.
