Paul Thomas dances with fire.

While the unassuming senior lives a pretty typical life, he has a talent that not many know about: hooping.  And, at events like Electric Halloween, he had the chance to perform in public for the first time.

Students and graduates attended and performed at the annual Electric Halloween music festival, held at Paradise Lake campground on October 28-30. The event, hosted by Grandaire Booking, showcases local talent like bands and artists for the three day event.

The music festival hosted local bands, food trucks, and vendors which were easily accessible throughout the weekend. The music brought people in from all around South Jersey, even reaching residents of Philadelphia. With two stages on the campground, the schedule was filled with a variety of bands throughout the weekend.

Grandaire included all tastes they could, ranging from vegan, to Hispanic, to All-American BBQ.

The weekend opened a free space for everyone. With one of the most interactive crowds in South Jersey, it was almost impossible to feel out of place in midst of all the perfect chaos. With costumes ranging from bananas to cosplay characters, the subculture of Hammonton came alive celebrating self-expression.

“This is a place where we can accept everybody, this is a place where we can all go to have fun” said Grandaire Booking’s Jose Martinez, a graduate of HHS.

For many, the welcoming atmosphere of the event brings them back each year.

“You can be whoever you want to be,” said 2016 graduate Laura Parker. “Everybody is friendly, they’re happy and comfortable because they can be themselves.”

For Parker, who is currently a freshman at Stockton University, events like these provide the opportunity to get together with old friends and have fun.

“[My friends and I] have a good time at these festivals,” explained bass player Nick Moretti.“It’s a big community here. They support all of us and we support them.”

The 2015 graduate and member of the band Parkwood performed Friday evening.

Over the course of the weekend at Paradise Lakes, performers and campers were able to express themselves and support their community through music.