With Halloween happening on a Saturday night, Penticton’s nightclubs are gearing up for a big party night, but while most are catering to the adults, one club is looking to set up a party night for the younger crowd.

On Saturday, Nite Moves on Main Street is opening up the doors to kids aged 14-18 for their first-ever Halloween Teen Dance.

The dance runs from 7-11 p.m. and is a non-alcohol event, not only during but prior to the event as well. Teens from throughout the Okanagan are welcome, said organizer Ryan Graham, though they will be required to show ID when they buy their tickets.

Along with the hottest new tunes by DJ Invisible, there’ll also be cash prizes of $500 for best costume and giveaways all night long from sponsors like the Pentagon Board Shop, Jose’s Pepper Club and City Centre Fitness.

It’s an altruistic move by the club to give up alcohol sales on what would likely be one of the big party nights of the year, but Graham said the club is under new ownership and management who want to have a strong role in the community.

“We’re dedicated to getting a positive name out there for our club and showing we’re dedicated to helping out the downtown core and the youth,” said Graham.

This event is just the first, he adds. Nite Moves is hoping to have more teen nights throughout the year, with plans for dances at Valentine’s, spring break and at the end of the school year.

“We want to make it so the kids have a great time and the kids understand that if they make it a successful event that it’s just raising money to be used in the community,” Graham said.

Along with opening up the club to teens for an evening, Nite Moves is planning on showing its dedication to the community in a financial way as well, opening up a charitable account that will be funded by the teen dances and other events, like private Christmas parties.

“When you book a Christmas party here at our club we’re going to be donating a portion of our proceeds to the fund,” said Graham.

“The fund is dedicated to the community for use in the community.”

One of the prime ways Graham hopes the fund will help out is in improving facilities for teens to use. He points to the outdoor basketball courts at Skaha Beach, which he thinks could be improved with a set of lights.

“There’s no lights at the basketball court down at the beach, so how do kids play basketball after 4:30 p.m.?” asks Graham, recognizing that budget cuts at the city and school district levels are making it tougher to create opportunities for youth.

“I know when I was a kid going to school it was expensive and it’s even more expensive now,” said Graham, who graduated from Princess Margaret Secondary in 2004.

“If it’s putting lights at the beach basketball courts or improving evening activities for youth, we are dedicated to the growth of our community.”

Tickets for the Halloween dance are $15 and are available at Pentagon Board Shop, Jose’s Pepper Club or by calling 250-486-7772.