Forget Leg Day, It's Candy Day at 24hr Elite Gym

JOPLIN, MO. — Pirates, mermaids, fortune tellers and even Darth Vader are taking over 24hr Elite Gym in Joplin Thursday for its annual Trunk-or-Treat, with organizers hoping to attract up to 2,000 children for an evening of Halloween fun.

The event is taking place from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, October 30, at 530 S. Northpark Lane. The event is open to the public, giving families a chance to celebrate Halloween with candy, costumes and community fun.

For 24hr Elite Gym, the annual event is more than just an opportunity to dress up and hand out candy. It is also a chance to give back to the community.

"This is our biggest event of the year. Last year we had between 1,000-1,500 kids come out and were shooting for 2,000 this year. So we are just super excited to do this for the community. So we just hope people come out and have fun, that's all we're here for," said Matt Ball, co-owner of 24hr Elite Gym.

And if the costumes are any indication, the gym's staff is ready to make the event a memorable one.

Danielle Drake, chief operating officer, is trading her usual responsibilities for a pirate costume. Her favorite Halloween movie is Hocus Pocus, making her a fitting captain for the evening's festivities.

Brandee Read, a trainer at the gym, is dressed as a fortune teller. Fans of spooky stop-motion films may appreciate her choice of favorite movie, Coraline.

Tony, a gym employee, is taking a more aquatic approach to Halloween as a largemouth bass. His favorite movie is IT, proving that even fish aren't afraid of a good scare.

Personal trainer Cody has gone to the dark side as Darth Vader, while Ball is channeling his inner demigod as Maui from Disney's Moana. Both Cody and Ball named Halloween as their favorite Halloween movie.

Isabella, another gym employee, is also representing Moana by dressing as the adventurous heroine herself. Like Read, Isabella lists Coraline as her favorite movie.

With costumes ranging from a galaxy far, far away to the depths of the water, the gym's staff is welcoming families for an afternoon of Halloween festivities.

Organizers welcomed between 1,000 and 1,500 children last year and are hoping to reach their goal of 2,000 visitors this year.

Whether visitors come dressed as their favorite movie character, a classic Halloween monster or something a little more fishy, 24hr Elite Gym is inviting the community to join in the fun.

The Trunk-or-Treat continues until 7 p.m. Thursday at 530 S. Northpark Lane in Joplin.

After all, Halloween is the one time of year when showing up at a gym in a costume and leaving with a bag full of candy is perfectly acceptable.