Waterford ― If you were dressed in a costume and listening to some spooky tunes on Sunday afternoon, odds are you were at Camp Harkness’ Fall Fest.

Families flocked to the camp for food trucks, craft vendors, fall-themed crafts for kids, face painting, hay bale rides and a costume contest in an effort to support the Camp Harkness Foundation.

“We’re just trying to bring the community in so that they see what we’re all about,” said Director Elisa Marcoux.

Marcoux, dressed in her lobster costume, said that while the camp has put on similar events in the summer, Sunday was the first time they’ve hosted a Fall Fest. All the money raised by the camp will be put toward a new playground for campers, which Marcoux said costs upwards of $300,000.

Camp Harkness is one of the few state parks in the country dedicated for exclusive use by people with disabilities, accompanied by their family and friends. Marcoux estimated that more than 6,000 people yearly use the park’s array of cabins, cottages, tent sites, picnic pavilions, scenic walkways and gardens.

“We’re giving people the opportunity to sell their products and get the community more involved with our camp and see more of our camp,” Marcoux said.

Children in costumes, with their parents not too far behind, roamed from one food truck to the next in search of lunch. You could grab a slice of pepperoni pizza at the Children’s Center of Hamden pizza truck, or stop by the Shaking Crab truck for some seafood dishes and fried appetizers, all while a DJ played classic Halloween-themed music.

After a hay bale ride around the camp, Momma’s Ice Cream truck and the cannoli truck had dessert taken care of.

Once everyone had a full stomach, it was time to shop. There were 20 or so vendors on hand to sell homemade jewelry, blankets, crafts, candles and sweets, including dog treats.

A former Camp Harkness camper, Kyle Scarpulla, was stationed at his own table.

Scarpulla, 21, owns his own business called “Kyle’s Kreations.” Scarpulla has autism and so when it came time for him to find a job, he turned to arts and crafts. With the help of his mother, Kenia Waldo, his grandmother, Viola Waldo, and his support dog, Daisy, Scarpulla makes jewelry, blankets, greeting cards, paw balm for animals and pet treats right at home.

Scarpulla, a West Haven native, said Sunday was either the third or fourth event he’s had a table at. He said at every event, including Sunday’s Fall Fest, he donates 10% of his earnings to the organization hosting the event. As a former camper himself, Scarpulla said “it’s cool” to be able to donate money toward a new playground.

A quick walk up a hill led visitors to the camp’s main office, where children could paint pumpkins, get their faces painted and eat some Rita’s Italian ice. Marcoux said Home Depot donated the pumpkins for the event while Rita’s donated the Italian ice. The Waterford Police Department was even on hand to give a K-9 unit demonstration.

Shortly after the police K-9s showed off their skills, Jonas Roque and his younger brother Jacob grabbed some Italian ice to cap off their day.

Jonas, 9, was dressed up as a red Power Ranger with a cup of mango Italian ice in his right hand. Jacob, 5, was a racecar driver version of Mickey Mouse and was snacking on cotton-candy frozen treat.

The two brothers had “a lot of fun,” with their older sister, Angelie Santos. The threesome painted pumpkins, saw some “cool” homemade jewelry. Jacob was excited to see his teacher at the hay bale ride.

“We want the community to come in and we want it to be inclusive and a camp for everyone,” Carrie Rogers, the camp’s manager, said about the event.

k.arnold@theday.com