On a crisp October evening at Lakeside Commons Park, the Lakes community came alive with capes, sparkles, paws, and pumpkins for our first-ever Little Monsters & Mischief Makers Costume Contest — a joyful, family- and pet-friendly gathering built around connection and purpose.

Kids and pets arrived dressed as witches, fairies, princesses, superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Pokémon, Bowser, a strawberry, Green Bay Packers players and cheerleaders, the Grim Reaper, Spider-Man, and more. And our pets? They stole the show — including a dog dressed as a classic hot dog and several others in perfectly festive outfits.

Families enjoyed trunk-or-treat–style candy stops, warm drinks, laughter, music, and decorated vendor tables throughout the park. When it was time for judging, each child and pet approached with personality and excitement — twirls, poses, struts, and tail wags included.

In the end, we were thrilled to award trophies to one Lakes kiddo and one Lakes pet, celebrating their creativity and festive spirit.

Thanks to the generosity of our event sponsors, we proudly raised the entire $3,000 needed to fund one Reel Hope Project video — a life-changing profile created to help a child in foster care find their forever family. This gift came solely from our sponsors, and we are grateful for their partnership and heart:

These sponsors didn’t just support financially — they also showed up, judged, passed out candy, and connected with families.

A heartfelt thank you to all volunteers who helped with registration, setup, and event flow, and to our resident businesses who participated as vendors, including the Spring Lake Park Youth Hockey Association. Your involvement made the evening special for every family who attended.

We are also grateful to Ben Hall with Chasing Paradise Productions for video coverage, and to photographers Debbie Erlien and Nik Linde, who captured the joy, color, and magic of the night — from superheroes mid-stride to toddlers clutching candy with wide-eyed wonder.

As families made their way home and the lights faded, one thing became clear: this night was about more than costumes. It was about belonging. About community. About the simple truth that we’re all just people trying our best — wanting to feel seen, cared for, and connected.

Thank you, Lakes of Blaine, for showing up with heart.
Thank you for giving generously.
And thank you for helping one child’s story be told.

Until next year…

 

The Reel Hope Project Written: 

Hope Showed Up in Costumes
It’s not every day you see superheroes, princesses, and little monsters walking side by
side, all in the name of hope. But that’s exactly what happened this October at Stroll the
Lakes: Little Monsters & Mischief Makers, a Halloween-themed community event that
turned an evening of family fun into something truly life-changing.
Hosted in partnership with local businesses, vendors, and families, the event brought the
community of Blaine together to celebrate connection, kindness, and creativity, all while
raising funds to support The Reel Hope Project, a national nonprofit headquartered in
Minnesota on a mission to make a video (or “reel”) for every child in foster care waiting
to be adopted.
Each reel tells the story of a child or teen waiting for their forever family, giving them a
face, a voice, and the chance to be seen beyond just a file or photo. And thanks to the
generosity of this year’s Stroll the Lakes participants, one full reel will now be produced
and gifted to a child’s county or agency completely free of charge.
That one video could make all the difference.
Research shows that a child featured in a Reel Hope video is twice as likely to be
adopted. Each story reaches thousands of potential families online, inspiring hearts and
opening homes across the country. Every reel represents the chance for a child to be
known and chosen.
For event organizers and attendees, the cause resonated deeply. “This is what community
looks like,” said one vendor, smiling as costumed kids paraded past her booth. “It’s
amazing to see families come together not just to have fun, but to help other kids find
their forever family.”
The event was filled with laughter, candy, and creativity from a costume contest to trick-
or-treating along the lakeside. But amidst the lighthearted fun, the purpose remained
clear: a forever family for every child.

The partnership between Stroll the Lakes and The Reel Hope Project highlights what’s
possible when local communities and small businesses unite around a shared vision. One
event. One reel. One child’s story forever changed.
As The Reel Hope Project approaches its tenth anniversary in 2026, the organization
continues to expand its reach. They are now operating in eight states and collaborating
with dozens of agencies and faith communities. To date, well over 600 reels have been
produced, with countless success stories of children finding their forever families after
being featured.
And yet, the mission remains urgent: across the United States, more than 100,000
children are waiting in foster care for adoptive families. Each one has a story worth
telling. Each one deserves to be seen.
That’s why events like Stroll the Lakes matter so much. They remind us that hope doesn’t
just come from big actions or sweeping change. It comes from everyday people showing
up, using what they have, and believing that even a small act of generosity can ripple
outward in powerful ways.
Because when communities come together, when families, businesses, and neighbors
rally behind a shared purpose, hope takes on new life. Sometimes it even shows up
wearing a superhero cape or a sparkly princess dress.

The Reel Hope Project
Creating videos of kids in foster care who are waiting to be adopted.
Learn more at www.thereelhopeproject.org
Follow The Reel Hope Project on Social Media:
Instagram: @thereelhopeproject
Facebook: thereelhopeproject
LinkedIn: thereelhopeproject