The VIP Award winners this year are:

Best Overall Display:

Harnes Marsh Elementary School, “Wizard of Oz”

Best Business/Organization Created Display:

Riva del Lago Condo Association, “Tric Trac Train Wreck”

Best Youth Group Created Display:

St. Francis Xavier Catholic School/Sponsor, D&V Home Mortgage, “Sunflower Siren”

Best Halloween Theme Display:

Tanglewood Elementary/Sponsor, Waste Pro, “The Bone Yard”

Judges included Lee Board of County Commission Chairman Frank Mann, NBC-2 morning anchor Rachel Pierce, Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy Alan Canfield and Alise Flanjack, Deputy Director of Lee County Parks & Recreation.

The Opening Night Party was sponsored by Cornerstone Coastal Properties and Stevie Tomato’s Sports Page.

Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation has organized the event as part of the Lakes Park Fall and Halloween Festival for seven years. About 118,000 people attended last year’s Fall Festival. The festival also includes a pumpkin patch, Halloween Express train ride, hayrides, inflatables and concessions. The foundation begins planning the event in June.

The event continues through Oct. 28 with the People’s Choice voting. All visitors to the displays are requested to vote for their favorite. After this voting the winners are awarded a certificate and prizes been donated by businesses, including Salty Sam’s Waterfront Attractions, NBC/ABC, Diamond Head Beach Resort and Spa, Rib City, Wheel Fun Rentals, SWFL Train Museum and Lee County Lakes Regional Park.

Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation, a nonprofit organization, assists Lee County Parks and Recreation through philanthropic and voluntary efforts to enrich Lakes Regional Park and enhance the community’s enjoyment of this natural resource.  All proceeds are being used to create a Children’s Garden within the confines of Lakes Park. This will be a teaching garden and will introduce the children to nature’s beautiful bounty.