Yellowknife (Oct 04/06) - For the 35th year in a row, hundreds of Yellowknife teens will flock to a Halloween dance that officials believe is singlehandedly slashing vandalism in the downtown core.

Spook-a-rama, which will go ahead Oct. 31, has been put on by the Lion's Club for the last three-and-a-half decades.

With donations from local businesses and fundraising, the Lion's Club provides pop, pizza and dozens of prizes, things that keep some teens from running amok.

"It was started to keep the teenagers away from the downtown core. Away from vandalism and hijinks," said Lion's Club member Tony Sunderland.

"Vandalism has been absolutely nothing for the past four to five years."

Last year, 600 youth attended the event.

"It varies from year to year. We've had as many as 1,400, and as few as 500. That's about the lowest we've ever had," said Sunderland.

The event was put on by the Department of National Defense and the RCMP until the Lion's Club took over 35 years ago.

"The parents should realize it's a no drugs no alcohol event. The RCMP are there to ensure it. (They) will search people as they come in."

The event will take place at the defence department hangar near the Yellowknife airport.