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Long Island Kids Celebrate Halloween In July At Post-Sandy Event

LIDO BEACH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Hundreds of children from the south shore of Long Island went trick-or-treating Friday -- at the beach.

It's an annual tradition started as a way to bring happiness after the heartbreak of Superstorm Sandy.

As CBS2's Vanessa Murdock reported, the horrors of Sandy are not easily forgotten, not even for those barely old enough to remember.

"It was really upsetting," said 10-year-old Faith Grullon. "My whole block got really destroyed and we couldn't do anything."

Faith said she especially missed Halloween that year and trick-or-treating with her friends.

"Many of our families were severely affected by the storm," said Malibu Beach Camp Director Ilissa Epstein.

That's exactly why Epstein said they started a new tradition called Hot Halloween.

Campers dressed as Minecraft, the grim reaper, and Rainbow Dash traveled from cabana to cabana Friday for some very tasty treats.

For the kids, there's more than just candy to celebrate at Hot Halloween. There are games too, like the mummy wrap, Murdock reported.

"Just seeing the smiles on the kids' faces was truly priceless," said Epstein.

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