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Mothers and sons have a spooky good time
Dancing the night away during the annual Spooktacular
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Kelli Martin and her son, Bentley, 4, dance Thursday night at the Gainesville Civic Center during the annual Mother and Son Dance Spooktacular. Presented by Gainesville Parks and Recreation, couples dressed up in their favorite costume and enjoyed an evening of dinner and dancing.
Mothers and sons got to celebrate Halloween early Thursday night, dressing up in costumes for the Mother and Son Dance Spooktacular at the Gainesville Civic Center.

A crowd of boys ranging in age from 3 to 16 brought their moms to the dance put on by Gainesville Parks and Recreation. Mothers and sons also got to participate in games and line dances while dressed up in costume.

“The mother-and-son dance has been going on many years. Last year was the first year we did the Spooktacular.” said Candis Stephens, event services manager for Gainesville Parks and Recreation. “It’s just a chance for mothers and sons to get together and spend an evening and have fun.”

Dinner was catered by Longstreet Cafe and a photographer was on hand for pictures.

“It’s a really special event. For the boys, we have found the costuming fun. They get a kick out of it,” Stephens said.

The costuming at the dance this year was creative, with many mothers and sons dressing in a theme. The best costumes were rewarded with a variety of prizes.

“It’s been great. We are really pleased with the number,” Stephens said.

Tammy Davenport of Gainesville and her son, David, 10, have been attending the mother and son dances for three years.

“We’ve been coming every year. This is our third time,” Tammy Davenport said. “We have so much fun. This is our time.”

Tammy Davenport was dressed up as hippie, and David was dressed up as a zombie doctor.

“We enjoyed getting ready and dressing up, listening to music and spending time together,” Tammy Davenport said.

Deidre Foster of Gainesville dressed up as a sailor girl, and her 4-year-old son, Austin Gozman, who dressed as a police officer, also came out to have some fun together and were enjoying the fun and the music.

Stephens said she liked seeing all the different costumes.

“There’s a whole new level where people are having fun,” she said.

She also enjoyed “just seeing the kids and moms have fun.”

The fathers and daughters will get a turn at the Daddy Daughter Dance that also will be at the Gainesville Civic Center in February.