The scariest costume party in the middle Keys kicks off next weekend at the Marathon Jaycees building on 33rd Street.

Jaycees board secretary Laura Fowler said the young professionals’ organization launched the event two years ago because they found there was a severe lack of adult-based Halloween events in Marathon.

“The Jaycees nationwide traditionally sponsor haunted houses and Halloween parties,” she explained.

Last year’s event drew a crowd of more than 125 people, and this year, the club is anticipating an even greater turnout. Ready your best costume for this year’s contest. Make your run for Best Couple, Funniest, Most Original; Scariest and the Sexiest get up. Many may remember some of last year’s standout entries, which included bumper cars, Business casual Jason Voorhees, the cast of Gilligan’s Island and Ben “Legend” Daniels who dressed as a trailer park trash bride. The party starts at 8 pm on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Jaycees Building on 33rd Street, Gulfside in Marathon. A costume is required, and participants must be 21 to enter. Reserve your advance tickets for $10, which includes some spooky snacks. A cash bar will be available, and Dave’s Island Taxi Service will be on hand to get you safely home after the revelry.

Though the Scarathon, complete with comical costumes and creepy cocktails is fun for ghoulish grown ups to celebrate All Hallows Eve, it also serves to raise much-needed funding for area children’s organizations.

Fowler said several thousand dollars were raised last year to benefit Marathon High School Athletics and Marching Band, Take Stock in Children and the Marathon Rec Center.

The United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) gives young people between the ages of 18 and 41 the tools they need to build the bridges of success for themselves in the areas of business development, management skills, individual training, community service and international connections. Locally in the Florida Keys, the Marathon Jaycees are an organization of young people who devote a portion of their time to community service in the public interest and help develop young persons as leaders in their communities. The purpose of the local chapter is to become a force for good in the community, determining community needs and providing solutions by planning and facilitating community service projects.

In the act of serving, members receive hands-on experience, which translates to the enhancement of personal growth and the development of valuable leadership skills. This is the total Junior Chamber Concept.

The Marathon Jaycees also host the Save Our Conchs 80s Prom; Kids Night Out; Best of Marathon Gala; Ralph E. Cunningham Memorial Golf Tournament; Switlik Elementary School Dances and various other service projects throughout the community.

So, ready your best costume for this year’s contest. Make your run for Best Couple, Funniest, Most Original; Scariest and the Sexiest get up. Many may remember some of last year’s standout entries, which included bumper cars, Business casual Jason Voorhees, the cast of Gilligan’s Island and Ben “Legend” Daniels who dressed as a trailer park trash bride.

The party starts at 8 pm on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Jaycees Building on 33rd Street, Gulfside in Marathon. A costume is required, and participants must be 21 to enter. Reserve your advance tickets for $10, which includes some spooky snacks, by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). A cash bar will be available, and Dave’s Island Taxi Service will be on hand to get you safely home after the revelry.