By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – As soon as the music started, dinnertime was over.

The about 35 special-needs high school students and young adults gathered at the Alabaster Senior Center on Oct. 29 wrapped up their pizza dinner and eagerly gathered at the front of the venue’s large meeting room.

“I don’t want to see anyone sitting down. I want to see everyone dancing,” Alabaster Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Alicia Walters told the group. “Are y’all ready to dance?”

“Yes!” the group shouted as they applauded.

Throughout the night, teens and young adults from the Alabaster and Hoover therapeutic recreation programs gathered at the Senior Center for the second-annual Halloween dance. The event drew a wide range of costumes from Wonder Woman and Mr. Potato Head to cowboys and football players.

In addition to a DJ spinning dance tunes, the two-and-a-half-hour event also featured a costume contest, crafts, games and more.

“Our kids love to dance. I look for things that can be fun and interactive for them,” Walters said. “Also, a lot of the kids know each other from previous events, and this is a fun way for all of them to get together.”

The teens and young adults took breaks from dancing on multiple occasions to play Halloween-themed games and chat with their friends.

Plenty of planning went into the event from both Alabaster and Hoover staff members, said Walters and Hoover youth Therapeutics Programmer Taylor Reece.

“They all love being together, so I think it’s something we will continue in the future,” Walters said. “It’s a lot of fun, so it’s worth the prep to make it happen.”