ePolk’s Pumpkin Pop debuts at Ghouls’ Night Out festival

ePolk was pleased to participate in downtown Winter Haven’s Ghouls’ Night Out celebration on Sat., Oct. 29, 2011. Ghouls’ Night Out is an annual event sponsored by the city of Winter Haven to showcase the beautiful downtown district while offering a safe environment for local children to go "Trick or Treating."

All the ePolk staffers eagerly brainstormed to come up with creative and fun ways to make ePolk’s participation something special. Since ePolk is a custom software shop, our President, Mike Kingham said, “Lets develop a game for the kids to play.” The games primary controller was an infrared gun that uses tracking technology, it also incorporated sound effects and had a giant pumpkin display built just for the game. “I want the kids to have something fun to do other than just going from point to point getting candy,” Kingham said while designing the game.

ePolk’s storefront office, in the historic building at 25 Fifth Street, N.W. was in an ideal location, with the downtown event happening just outside the door. Vendors were set up all around the adjacent Central Park, and ePolk was right in the middle of the festivities. It was here that ePolk’s first custom video game, Pumpkin Pop had its debut.

Once the kids saw the game, the line to play formed quickly and continued throughout the evening. One player stood in line at least six times to play, trying to beat his own high score (he succeeded!)

In addition to Pumpkin Pop, ePolk had a table set up to distribute candy to non-gaming Trick or Treaters. Always known as a pet-friendly organization, ePolk offered doggie treats and a water bowl for the canine participants (whether or not they were in costume!)

ePolk is proud to actively support the community through this event and other public service work. ePolk’s involvement at Ghouls’ Night Out proves beyond a doubt that techies can have fun, too!