By Brooke Curley
brooke@gilavalleycentral.net
SAFFORD – Characters can always be found at the library, but during Halloween, they take on a new meaning.
This Halloween, the story time at the Safford City Graham-County Library consisted of games, spooky stories, and a costume parade. Homemade and store-bought costumes were worn by the little ones of the Gila Valley, while parents joined the fun, wearing costumes as well.
Brooke Curley Photo/Gila Valley Central: Matilda Westerfield shows off her handmade crayon costume.
Janel Westerfield made her little girl’s costume herself and told Gila Valley Central that she enjoys creating costumes for her children. Westerfield also said she especially appreciates the library’s involvement within the community.
“I think it’s a good environment for children and it’s good for our community to have things like this available and especially when you have really little ones and you don’t necessarily want to take them out trick or treating at night it’s good to come here and still do something with them,” Westerfield said. “I think that the library is a really good investment for our community and they should just keep putting more stuff like this on for all the kids and the moms.”
Susan Elsberry, who was volunteering at the event told Gila Valley Central that she was especially happy with the library’s work within the community.
“I’m so proud that our library is here, open to all, posting and helping all of these young people, their parents, and grandparents,” Elsberry said. “I’m so thrilled to be here.”
The Safford Library hosts multiple Halloween-themed events in the month of October. This year, it worked with the Boys and Girls Club of the Gila Valley to put on a trunk-or-treat, and on Nov. 1, the Safford Library also held a Day of the Dead celebration, complete with face painting and historical dancing by the Eastern Arizona College Danseries.
