The American Legion Family at Post 164 in South Dakota recently hosted its second annual Safe Halloween Carnival geared at children ages 10 and younger.
American Legion Post 164 in Spearfish, S.D., has fully embraced working together as an American Legion Family. That’s seen throughout its various community programs, most recently its Safe Halloween Carnival aimed at providing area children ages 10 and under with an opportunity to celebrate Halloween in a safe environment.
It was the second annual Halloween carnival and came about when members of the post’s Legion Family saw Halloween events for adults but not for the community’s younger children.
“(VFW Post 10649) was putting on a carnival for the adults,” Post 164 Children & Youth Chairman Kevin Klunder said. “We thought we should put something together for younger kids to make it a little safer. A lot of the younger kids that come to our carnival are 10 years and under, and they don’t do a lot of Halloween trick or treating in public. So we wanted to make something safe for those kids.”
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 164 President Micheline Nelson worked with Klunder and other members of the post’s Legion Family to organize the first carnival in 2025. It went over so well that the decision was made to conduct a similar event this year. (STORY CONTINUES BELOW)
It’s part of the Post 164 Legion Family’s effort to be an important part of its community. “This is almost two-fold. It goes with the four pillars of The American Legion … Children & Youth,” Nelson said. “We are really strong in having different projects throughout the year to support the children and youth. And not just the children of veterans, but the children that are in need. We have a huge (foster children population), so we do two projects for them. We have five schools where we provide school supplies.
“We are visible in the community, and by being visible in the community, we promote The American Legion as a family, and a family that will support all families: veterans and others. It is what we are. And they can come to us, and if we don’t know how to help, we will find the resources to help them.”
This year’s carnival included games, crafts, healthy snacks and an opportunity for family photos. Klunder himself spent more than 540 hours making 820 small toys via his 3D printer to serve as prizes for the games.
“What we found out the first year is how many families like craft tables. The kids can do their own crafts or the parents can help. So we doubled the craft tables this year,” Nelson said. “It’s crafts. It’s games. It’s having fun as a family. And it’s safe because it’s indoors, and we do not have theme that is as gory as what you would have with the adults.
“They come in their little costumes, and the parents, the grandparents, the families come as a group. And they’re so excited. They do a family picture. It’s family based. This is Spearfish American Legion Family helping families have a great time, a safe time, indoors, where the kids can wear their little costumes. It makes everybody happy.”
Post 164 rents out a room for its meetings from the VFW, but when Post 164 needs a bigger hall for events, the VFW provides it at no cost. And at every post meeting, there is time reserved to hear reports from the Auxiliary, Sons and Riders about their previous month’s activities, as well as to request volunteers for future events and efforts.
“That has reinforced the concept of the Legion Family,” Nelson said. “We are one, and I think by being one, we see a big difference in participation. And there is no fight for ownership for who is doing what.”
Nelson said the post already has received requests from non-members to assist with the Halloween carnival and may open up volunteer opportunities to non-Legion Family members in 2027. “And sometimes, that leads to a new member, or two new members,” she said. “And with the new eligibility for the Auxiliary, we were able to bring in four new members already.”
- Community