Halloween arrived early and in rocking style with witches, sports players and the “King” himself, Elvis Presley, in full red regalia.

A party held by Sparks Parks and Recreation and Washoe ARC honored the upcoming spookiest night of the year with a dance for the disabled. Pirates and princesses, convicts and cowboys and surgeons and superheroes and a whole plethora of costumed guests engaged in jovial jubilee as they had fun pretending to be someone else for a short while.

Diane Duncan, a Reno resident, who brought her son Brennan to the party, said this year makes the third she and her family have participated in and brought friends with them.

“Sparks Parks and Rec do a wonderful job,” she said. “We just love it.”

Duncan said they brought their friend Brandon. Both Brennan and Brandon have participated in the Special Olympics. Events like the dance and the Olympics offer disabled kids a safe environment, she said, and a chance to socialize.

KBUL disc jockey JJ Christy played popular rock and pop hits as well as Halloween favorites “Ghostbusters” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Christy enjoys donating his time for Washoe Arc’s events because “the kids get out and have a good time,” he said.

He estimated that about 250 guests showed up on Sunday.

Jerica Marquez, 19, of Reno sat with Duncan. Marquez made a lovely Lady Gwendolyn in a dark blue medieval dress, put her weekly dance classes to good use as she twirled and rocked to the music.

She said the event was “fun.”

Wendy Firestone, vice president of programs and services with Washoe Arc, helps put together community-wide programs like the Halloween dance and said Sunday’s event is by far the most popular.

“It’s good to see people reconnect with old friends,” Firestone said of the various volunteers from different organizations who collaborate to make these events possible.

The Halloween dance was in its 12th year Sunday.

Firestone said she’s been with Washoe ARC for 17 years and enjoys working in a position where she can “make a difference” with programs that help give back to the community.

“The first day on the job, I just felt at home,” she said. “It’s just a lot of fun.”

The co-sponsor of the event, Washoe ARC, originally was named Washoe Association for Retarded Citizens, was founded in 1953 as an advocacy group for parents of children with disabilities.